The Chicago City Council has officially approved the landmark designation of the Apollo’s 2000 theater at 2875 W Cermak Road in Little Village. Sitting near the intersection with S Marshall Boulevard, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks issued its final landmark recommendation earlier this year.
Site map of Apollo’s 2000 via Commission on Chicago Landmark
Image of Apollo’s 2000 via Commission on Chicago Landmark
Initially named the Marshall Square Theater, it opened its doors in 1917 to the community with its ornate Spanish Renaissance-style. Designed by Alexander Levy, the brick building utilizes highly ornamental terracotta along its edges and two anchoring towers. At their center is a large half-dome glass window which historically holds its iconic marquee sign.
Image of Apollo’s 2000 via Commission on Chicago Landmark
The building originally held vaudeville performances and silent films before transitioning to a formal movie house in 1936. Since then it has evolved to an important community event center owned by a local family. Hosting everything from political rallies to birthdays, the venue received a major renovation in 1990 to expand its stage and reconfigure the auditorium for events.
Image of Apollo’s 2000 via Commission on Chicago Landmark
Image of Apollo’s 2000 via Commission on Chicago Landmark
Finally becoming a protected landmark, the designation includes its facades, rooflines, and auditorium. The designation took into consideration its architectural significance, importance to the community, and overall representation of Chicago. However elements from the aforementioned 90’s renovations are excluded.
Javier and Lidia Galindo, who’ve owned the theater since 1988, hope the designation will bring much needed dollars to help preserve the structure for generations to come.
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it’s very unfortunate it was bought by people who have no means to preserve it in the first place, 40 years of their ownership are clearly visible all over the facade.
That IS NOT Little Village, that area is Marshall Square, why do you media people always want to label every other neighborhood as such. Trust me I’ve been a life long resident of Little Village, I know.
Not even sure how to respond to that. Would you have rather no one bought it and it feel completely into disrepair?
They are trying. Don’t see you advocating for land mark status for the building