Congress Theater

Congress Theater
The Congress Theater in 2008
Interactive map of Congress Theater
Address2135 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Logan Square, Chicago, Illinois
United States
Coordinates41°55′12″N 87°41′32″W / 41.92°N 87.69222°W / 41.92; -87.69222
OwnerBaum Revision
Capacity2,904 (original)
TypeMixed-use theater block
Current use
Closed for renovation
Construction
Built1925–1926
Opened1926
ClosedApril 2013
Years active
1926–2013
ArchitectsFridstein & Company
Congress Theater
Congress Theater is located in Chicago
Congress Theater
Location within Chicago
Congress Theater is located in Illinois
Congress Theater
Location within Illinois
Congress Theater is located in the United States
Congress Theater
Location within the United States
Arealess than one acre
Built1925–1926
Architectural styleClassical Revival, Italian Renaissance
NRHP reference No.16000579[1][2]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJanuary 6, 2017
Designated CHICLJuly 10, 2002

The Congress Theater is a historic movie palace in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. Fridstein and Company designed the building, which was constructed in 1925–1926 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. The theater was designated a Chicago Landmark on July 10, 2002,[3] and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.[1]

In its heyday, the Congress Theater seated 2,904 moviegoers. The theater block also had 17 retail storefronts with 56 apartments above.[2] In its later years as a live music venue it was described as holding about 4,500 people.[4]

For years the building was a popular concert venue. In April 2013 the city moved to close the theater over dozens of code and safety violations, and its liquor license was revoked the following month.[5] It was a source of controversy due to issues such as liquor violations, a notoriously tough security team, and lax building upkeep.[4]

After more than a decade of ownership changes and stalled redevelopment plans, the City of Chicago announced in February 2026 that financing and approvals for a complete renovation of the complex were in place, with completion targeted for December 2027.[6]

Notable performances and recordings

In May 2008, pop rock band Panic! at the Disco recorded the live album ...Live in Chicago at the theater over two nights, May 23 and 24, during the Honda Civic Tour. It was released on December 2, 2008.[7]

In August 2008, rock band Paramore filmed the live CD/DVD The Final Riot! at the theater on August 12. It was released in November 2008 and was certified Gold in the United States and Platinum in Canada.[8]

On March 31, 2009, VH1 Storytellers recorded a segment on blues rock band ZZ Top at the Congress Theater; the episode premiered on VH1 on June 27, 2009, and was rebroadcast on VH1 Classic and Palladia the following week.[9]

As part of his 2012 New Year's Eve performance, producer and DJ Rusko shot the music video for the single "Somebody to Love", released via Diplo's Mad Decent record label.[10]

Closure and redevelopment

In November 2012, the owner, Eddie Carranza, defaulted on a $4 million loan.[4] In April 2013 the city sought to have the venue closed immediately over multiple code and safety violations, and the theater's liquor license was revoked on May 24, 2013.[5][4] In January 2014, Carranza confirmed that he had agreed to sell the theater to Michael Moyer, a developer involved in the restoration of the Cadillac Palace Theatre, although competing legal claims left the sale unresolved.[4] Moyer acquired the building in 2015 and announced a $65 million renovation, but the work did not proceed and he later defaulted on his loans.[11][12]

Baum Revision took over the stalled redevelopment in 2021.[12] The Chicago City Council had approved a redevelopment agreement for the property in March 2019, covering rehabilitation of the theater and construction of residential units on North Rockwell Street and Milwaukee Avenue.[13][14] The reported budget later rose to $88 million, supported by tax increment financing.[6] As planned, the project would substantially rehabilitate the approximately 160,000-square-foot (15,000 m2) theater property, restoring the auditorium as a 3,500-capacity music and event venue, adding 16 affordable residential rental units on the upper levels, and providing approximately 13,000 square feet (1,200 m2) of ground-floor retail and office space, with 75 percent of that space reserved for locally owned businesses, community organizations, and local artists at affordable rates. Woodhouse Tinucci Architects was engaged as project architect.[15]

In early December 2024, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks approved $6.2 million in Class L tax incentives for the first 12 years of the project. Construction was slated to begin in the first quarter of 2025, with completion by the end of 2026.[14] The following week, workers began installing safety fencing on the roof in preparation for the first stage of restoration work, and a new exterior roof was installed. That timeline subsequently slipped, and the project sought additional funding sources.[15]

In January 2026, the City Council approved a measure authorizing a $25 million United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 108 loan, and by late February the financing was in place, clearing the way for the project to go forward. Baum Revision is slated to repay the loan and all costs over a 20-year period. The project includes 16 units of affordable housing and 13,000 square feet (1,200 m2) of commercial space targeted to local businesses and non-profit groups. The announced completion date is December 2027.[6][16]

References

  1. 1 2 "Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 1/3/2017 through 1/6/2017" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Congress Theater Landmark Designation Report" (PDF). City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Chicago Landmarks: Congress Theater". City of Chicago. Retrieved May 21, 2007.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 DeRogatis, Jim (January 19, 2014). "Sale of Congress Theater pending". WBEZ. Archived from the original on October 29, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  5. 1 2 DiCrescenzo, Brent (May 24, 2013). "Congress Theater in peril as city revokes liquor license". Time Out Chicago. Archived from the original on April 13, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 "Congress Theater Overhaul 'Full Speed Ahead,' With Construction To Start In March, Ald. Says". Block Club Chicago. February 25, 2026. Retrieved July 25, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Panic! At the Disco: ...Live in Chicago". Apple TV. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  8. ↑ "The Final Riot! (Live at the Congress Theatre, Chicago, IL, 8/12/2008)". Qobuz. Fueled by Ramen. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  9. ↑ "ZZ Top's 'VH1 Storytellers' Episode to Air This Month". Blabbermouth.net. June 9, 2009. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Rusko - Somebody to Love". YouTube. March 13, 2012. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Congress Theater Renovation Moving Forward". Preservation Chicago. October 31, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  12. 1 2 Bloom, Mina (June 29, 2021). "Long-Vacant Congress Theater Could Reopen In 2023 With New Developer On Board". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Record #: SO2019-1050 – Redevelopment agreement with New Congress LLC and Arthur 7159 LLC for rehabilitation of Congress Theater and construction of residential units". City of Chicago Office of the City Clerk. March 13, 2019. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  14. 1 2 "Landmarks approves Class L for Congress Theater". Urbanize Chicago. December 9, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2026.
  15. 1 2 "Congress Theater Redevelopment Seeks Additional Funding Sources". Chicago YIMBY. January 2026. Retrieved July 25, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Chicago City Council approves measure allowing for loan to restore Congress Theater". CBS News Chicago. January 22, 2026. Retrieved July 25, 2026.
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