Puneet Varma (Editor)

Congress Theater

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Designation
  
Chicago Landmark

Capacity
  
4,900

Built
  
1926 (1926)

Closed
  
April 2013

Owner
  
Erineo Carranza

Architectural style
  
Neoclassical architecture

Type
  
theater

Current use
  
live music venue

Years active
  
1926-present

Opened
  
1926

Phone
  
+1 773-360-8162

Congress Theater

Address
  
2135 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA

Similar
  
Riviera Theatre, Portage Theater, Uptown Theatre, The Vic Theatre, Aragon Ballroom

The Congress Theater is a historic movie palace in Chicago. It was built by Fridstein and Company in 1926 for the movie theater chain of 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.

Contents

In its heyday, the Congress Theater could seat over 2,500 moviegoers and also had storefronts facing the streets. More recently, the theater operated as a 3,500-capacity live music venue. The theater was also used for professional wrestling shows by Dragon Gate USA beginning in 2009.

Under the ownership of Eddie Carranza, the venue undertook an "ambitious" renovation designed by CBD Architects in 2012. It was a source of controversy due to issues such as liquor violations, a notoriously tough security team, and lax building upkeep. In April 2013, the theater was shut down and had its liquor license revoked due to numerous safety code violations.

In early 2014, it was reported that Carranza would sell the theater to developer Michael Moyer. Moyer plans to spend $55 million restoring the theater, with the goal of reopening the Congress in 2017.

Steve aoki balcony dive at congress theater chicago dec 15th 2012


Notable events

  • Oprah Winfrey filmed the introduction to her television show in the lobby of the theater.
  • The theater was designated a Chicago Landmark on July 10, 2002.
  • In August 2008, pop punk 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.
  • References

    Congress Theater Wikipedia


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