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Chicago Theatre opens
When Barney Balaban and Sam and Morris Katz opened the Chicago Theatre, they billed the venue as "The Wonder Theatre of the World" and claimed it could hold 5,000 people. Current estimates suggest that the theater never held more than 3,500. -
Revamped for the World's Fair
When Barney Balaban and Sam and Morris Katz opened the Chicago Theatre, they billed the venue as "The Wonder Theatre of the World" and claimed it could hold 5,000 people. Current estimates suggest that the theater never held more than 3,500. -
Retro renovation
During the 1950s, the theatre was again renovated, this time to reflect the modern, streamlined asthetic popular in the 50s. Ornate plasterwork was covered with formica paneling and checkered floors were installed in some parts of the theater. -
Added to the National Register of Historic Places
When the theater was added to this list, it became protected under federal law. Buildings on this list are preserved because of their social and architectural value. -
Listed as a Chicago Landmark
The city of Chicago caught up with the U.S. government 4 years later and made the Chicago Theatre a city landmark. -
Theatre closes
While the theater was now a successful landmark, as a business it was failing. The Chicago Theatre closed its doors in 1985. -
Saved!
The Chicago Theatre Restoration Associates, along with the City of Chicago, bought and restored the theater to what it looked like before its retro makeover. The theater opened less than a year later with a performance by Frank Sinatra.
