Financing has cleared another hurdle for the Congress Theater redevelopment at 2135 N Milwaukee Avenue in Logan Square. Located on the intersection with N Rockwell Street, we last covered the project earlier this year when initial news on the TIF money being requested for the project were announced. Now developer Baum Revision, who is working with Woodhouse Tinucci Architects, has cleared an approval from the Finance Committee with requirements in order to receive the money.
Current view of Congress Theater via Google Maps
Built in 1926, the 3,500-seat movie house was designed in a mix of Classical Revival and Italian Renaissance styles with 17 retail storefronts, and 56 apartments. However it closed in 2013 over safety violations with all plans to redevelop it failing since then. In 2021 Baum Revision took the lead attempting to re-open it as a live music venue and restore much of its original grandeur. Now after delays with local labor unions and financing, the city is one vote away from approving the money needed to move forward.
Street View of Congress Theater. Rendering by Woodhouse Tinucci Architects
Work will begin with an extensive repair and restoration of the front facade, marquee, and interior historical features, all of which have suffered from extensive decay over the years causing the budget to balloon as time goes by. On the inside the main theater will be restored as a performance venue operated by Los Angeles based AEG, one of the world’s largest live event operators, for at least 10 years per city requirement.
Interior View of Congress Theater. Rendering by Woodhouse Tinucci Architects
Work will also restore roughly 13,000 square feet of divisible retail space along the street front of the building, per the same requirement, the space will have to be considered affordable and leased at 75 percent of the local market rate. The city is also requiring 75 percent of the space to be continuously occupied and leased to locally-owned businesses, community organizations, or local artists according to Block Club.
Lobby View of Congress Theater. Rendering by Woodhouse Tinucci Architects
Above those will be 16 residential units of which 14 will be considered affordable, a requirement from the city as well. The rest of the space upstairs will go to back of house and offices for the complex. In order to include the renovation, the approval will extend its TIF district for a few years giving the project $27 million necessary to move forward. With a rough cost of $88 million, the developer now awaits the final decision from the City Council next week.
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Now waiting on the Uptown Theater.