Plans are once again progressing for the long-awaited redevelopment of the Congress Theater at 2135 North Milwaukee Avenue in Logan Square. Sitting on the corner of North Rockwell Street, the historic structure dates back to 1926 but has sat vacant since 2013, when it was closed due to code violations.
Current view of Congress Theater via Google Maps
Efforts are being led by developer Baum Revision along with venue operator AEG Presents, who are working with local design firm Woodhouse Tinucci Architects. With an $88 million price tag, the city has previously approved TIF funding along with historic tax credits, and the Department of Planning will now be applying for a $25 million loan from HUD.
Street View of Congress Theater. Rendering by Woodhouse Tinucci Architects
The redevelopment plans call for the restoration of the 3,500-seat theater into an event venue, along with extensive repairs to the building’s façade, marquee, storefronts, and historic features, as well as bringing the facility up to code. This will create approximately 13,000 square feet of retail space within the building’s original commercial street frontage.
Interior View of Congress Theater. Rendering by Woodhouse Tinucci Architects
Per city financing requirements, 75 percent of the retail space will need to be continuously occupied and leased to locally owned businesses, community organizations, or local artists at affordable rates. The upper levels of the building will have their original residences rehabilitated into 16 affordable units. There will also be a small amount of office space for operations.
Lobby View of Congress Theater. Rendering by Woodhouse Tinucci Architects
The last time we covered the project was in 2024, when the team anticipated a 2025 groundbreaking and a December 2026 opening. That timeline has since slipped, and a new one has not yet been announced.
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Seeing these favorable loans, public financing, personal relationship between La Spata and Baum, etc. Baum is even allowed to default on their loan and the city is on the hook. I’d love to see the Congress revitalized but I won’t be holding my breath on this one.
It feels like the Uptown and congress are always almost there but can never get it done, we shall see
If this project were evaluated as an economically feasible project–i.e. one likely to produce an reasonable rate of return for investors–it would already have been done and the venue reopened. Instead it’s a blend of not likely to succeed pieces packaged together to disguise what will be a poor use of taxpayer funds.
While nothing you said is incorrect, sometimes it’s okay to dedicate taxpayer funds to not necessarily the best economic use. This will continue to spur development along a relatively quiet stretch of Milwaukee and restore our important cultural (architectural) heritage that inspires a large amount of civic pride for Chicagoans.
Imagine if they charged to walk the Riverwalk or step close to the Bean.
I think it is fair to ask that some public events be paired with these spaces that receive a boost in public resources. Have them keep a requirement to stay active with the community. An investment in infrastructure and other cultural landmarks can easily deliver on impact (when done right and with corruption kept out).
This project will foster local pride among those who have the opportunity to add to its history. They tell others to check it out. These people will spend more money locally since it’s where they work (hopefully live too cause we balance living affordability) and more and more… It’s a web of pride.
Imagine if they charged drivers the true cost of building and maintaining the roads.
Having a venue that periodically draws in thousands of people is going to be a positive economic boon to this neighborhood.
It’s in the interest of the taxpayer to sometimes see a historic building renovated and brought back to life, even if it ends up not being a great ROI investment.
Short term you aren’t getting much money back, but in the long run it would pay dividends for the neighborhood in the form of investment, tourism, etc.
Public-private partnerships like this (if it ever happens) to me are far more valuable & sensible than 100% taxpayer funded nepotism pits like the ridiculous $475 million State/Lake station rebuild, which we all know is going to make a couple of connected people filthy rich. But that’s another discussion
The “The Salt Shed” cost 50 million in private money plus $ 2.5 million in public money for infestructure. Seems the congress just has to much fat
has it been 20 years since we started talking about this project?
Whatever the argument are for or against all these public funds going to companies to make profits-its about time the city says we have no more money-lets give its citizens a break with all these taxes. As for me, Im tired already of working hard and seeing all these companies get rich off of public funded projects. Dam, I should of been a builder.
I agree let stop giving developers and many non profits tax payers money