Permits have been issued for the renovation of the Double Door Theater at 1050 W Wilson Avenue in Uptown. Located just east of the intersection with N Broadway, the famed nightclub will be finally relocating from its previous Wicker Park location. The project is being led by Double Down Development with local architecture firm Barker Nestor working on its design.
Current view inside of 1050 W WIlson Avenue via Double Door
1050 W Wilson Avenue. Photo by Jack Crawford
Double Door dates back to 1994 when it opened in Wicker Park at 1572 N Milwaukee Avenue where the Yeti store now stands. With a capacity of roughly 400 people, the two-level club hosted many major names in music including The Killers, Wilco, Kings of Leon, and Kanye West. Unfortunately after over 20 years of music, Double Door was evicted in 2017 after a legal battle with the landlord.
Details of new Double Door by Barker Nestor
However soon after the club announced it would relocate to Uptown within the old Wilson Avenue Theater, which became a bank for many years prior to closing in 2011. Work will include repairs to the facade, replacing its central door and window, along with the addition of a new marquee sign with a 17-foot-tall recreation of their Wicker Park blade sign.
Details of new Double Door by Barker Nestor
The interior will also receive a major renovation including new walls, equipment, and more to create a performance space with a capacity of 700 people. The $1.7 million project was granted a 12-year tax incentive by the city just over a year ago set to save it $564,000 in total. The work will be executed by Synergy Construction Group, though a formal completion date has not been announced.
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Double Door reborn? Feels like a midlife crisis in action – I’ll take ten red corvettes please.
What the heck took so long? We already moved out of the neighborhood.. Still, much needed for Uptown so glad that this project is moving forward, although on a very small budget so hope they do a great job. Great re-use of the bank building. Looking forward to visiting someday…