Congress Theater

Congress Theater

The Congress Theater in 2008
Address	2135 N. Milwaukee Avenue Logan Square, Chicago, Illinois United States
Coordinates	41°55′12″N87°41′32″W / 41.92°N 87.69222°W / 41.92; -87.69222
Owner	New Congress LLC
Designation	National Landmark
Type	Mixed-use theater block
Capacity	3500
Current use	Closed for renovation
Construction
Built	1926;99 years ago (1926)
Reopened	(projected) 2023
Years active	1926-2013
Architect	Fridstein & Company
Congress Theater
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Chicago Landmark
Location in Chicago Show map of Chicago Location in Illinois Show map of Illinois Location in United States Show map of the United States
Area	less than one acre
Built	1925-1926
Architectural style	Classical Revival, Italian Renaissance
NRHP reference No.	160005792 [1] [2]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	January 6, 2017
Designated CL	July 10, 2002

The Congress Theater is a historic movie palace in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. Fridstein and Company designed it in 1926 for the movie theater operator Lubliner and Trinz. It features ornate exterior and interior design work in a combination of the Classical Revival and Italian Renaissance styles. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.

In its heyday, the Congress Theater could seat over 2,904 moviegoers. The theater block also had 17 retail storefronts with 56 apartments above. More recently, the theater operated as a 3,500-capacity live music venue.

For years the building was a common and popular concert venue. In April 2013, the theater was shut down and had its liquor license revoked due to numerous safety code violations. ^[3] It was a source of controversy due to issues such as liquor violations, a notoriously tough security team, and lax building upkeep. ^[4]

In early 2014, Carranza announced he would sell the theater to developer Michael Moyer. ^[4] Moyer planned to spend $65 million restoring the theater, with the goal of reopening the Congress in 2019. ^[5] This plan, now under the ownership of Baum Revision, was approved by the City's Permit Review Committee in June, 2022 and by the full City Council on July 19, 2023. The budget is reported to be $88 million, including $27 million in Tax Increment Funding and $6.2 million in tax abatement over 12 years. ^{[6] [7]}

Notable events

• The theater was designated a Chicago Landmark on July 10, 2002. ^[8]
• In May 2008, pop rock band Panic! At The Disco recorded the live album …Live In Chicago This album was the last album with guitarist Ryan Ross. The live album released in December
• In August 2008, rock band Paramore recorded a live CD/DVD titled The Final Riot! at the theater. It was released in November 2008 and it was awarded in US (Gold Album) and Canada (Platinum Album).
• On March 31, 2009, VH1 Storytellers recorded a segment on blues band ZZ Top at the Congress Theater; the show aired June 27, 2009, on VH1 Classic.
• As part of his 2012 New Year's Eve performance, producer/DJ Rusko shot the music video for hit single "Somebody to Love", released via Diplo's Mad Decent record label. ^[9]
• On March 13, 2019, the Chicago City Council approved a redevelopment agreement for the Congress Theater with related construction of residential units on N Rockwell Street and Milwaukee Avenue. The developer intended to substantially rehabilitate the approximately 160,000-square-foot (15,000 m²) Theater Property into a 4,900 seat music venue with the addition of an approximately 30-room boutique hotel; the addition of approximately 14 affordable residential rental units; and approximately 16,000 square feet (1,500 m²) of ground floor restaurant/retail commercial space. The agreement included $8.85 million in tax increment financing funds. ^[10]
• On June 28, 2021, David Baum announced that Baum Revision has taken over the project and is planning to redevelop the landmark theater as well as the surrounding apartments and retail space, using the already approved plan (although excluding the associated 72-unit apartment building). ^[11]
• In early December, 2024, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks approved $6.2 million in Class L tax incentives for the first 12 years of project. Assuming approval by the full City Council, construction is slated to begin the first quarter of 2025, with completion by the end of 2026. ^[7] The following week workmen began installing safety fencing on the roof in preparation for the first stage of restoration work to begin.

Gallery

• 
  Storm lobby of the theater
• 
  Jamiroquai performing at the Congress on October 30, 2005

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
2. "Congress Theater National Landmark Designation Report" (PDF). City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
3. DiCrescenzo, Brent (May 24, 2013). "Congress Theater in peril as city revokes liquor license". Time Out Chicago . Retrieved April 12, 2018.
4. DeRogatis, Jim (January 19, 2014). "Sale of Congress Theater pending". WBEZ . Retrieved April 12, 2018.
5. Yerak, Becky (October 12, 2017). "With $65 million renovation soon underway, Congress Theater looks to reopen in 2019". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved April 12, 2018.
6. "Congress Theater Overhaul Back On Track?". July 17, 2023.
7. "Timeline Revealed for Congress Theater Redevelopment as Tax Incentives Are Approved". December 12, 2024.
8. "Chicago Landmarks: Congress Theater". City of Chicago. Retrieved May 21, 2007.
9. "Rusko - Somebody to Love". YouTube. March 13, 2012. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021.
10. "Office of the City Clerk - Record #: SO2019-1050".
11. "Long-Vacant Congress Theater Could Reopen in 2023 with New Developer on Board". June 29, 2021.