TimeLine Theatre announced through a press release on July 28 that their new home at 5035 North Broadway in Uptown is now 50 percent completed. Slated to open in May 2026, the theatre replaces the former W.C. Reebie & Brother storage building that was demolished (additional theatre renderings are available at that link) last year. In production for well over a decade, the theatre was awarded caisson and full permits back in 2022, but plans changed, with the theatre troupe demolishing more of the warehouse than was their original intent.
Catwalk installation. Photo via Lara Goetsch/TimeLine Theatre
Catwalks above the stage. Photo via Lara Goetsch/TimeLine Theatre
Photo via Lara Goetsch/TimeLine Theatre
Featured acts so far in the building’s progress have included the completion of the pre-cast concrete exterior and the roof, framing for the upcoming glass curtain wall, and pacing of interior steel catwalks. Those will allow for the installation of the lighting system, rigging, and other stage equipment. Interior framing for the theater, lobby, bar/cafe, rehearsal room, education space, dressing rooms, green room, costume storage, bathrooms, backstage, and offices is also nearing completion.
Coming attractions include, per the official release: “painting the exterior concrete facing Broadway a purple-hued sheen (a color inspired by the brick façade of the former Reebie Bros. warehouse on the site), installation of the exterior curtain wall for the street-facing façade, continuing with installation of interior mechanical, electric, and plumbing on all five stories of the building, placing concrete sprung floors in the theater and rehearsal spaces, building interior stairwells; installing two elevators, putting up interior drywall, grinding and polishing exposed concrete flooring, soundproofing, installing a fire protection system, building out the bar and café space, and more.”
Exterior progress, taken July 19, 2025. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
According to the press release, the company has raised more than $41.5 million toward the cost of the theatre, which is estimated to total around $46 million. Enemy of the People will be the opening act on the playbill when the TimeLine opens the May-June 2026 season in the new facility.
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Too bad they could not have instead rehabbed the old Uptown theatre that was abandoned years ago, at Lawrence and Broadway. That old movie palace was a real gem of a theatre, back in its day. Too bad they tore it down, about ten years or so ago.
The Uptown Theatre has not been torn down.
Maybe the poster is thinking of the Adelphi, which was up around Lunt and Clark.
I think Jerome is thinking of the Granada Theater at 6400 N Sheridan in Rodger’s Park.
Timeline Theater does not put on productions that could fill a 3,400 seat theater. When they were in Lakeview they were in a church hall if I remember correctly. Breaking down one of these old movie palaces into smaller theaters isn’t feasible because of the costs and it would have to have a number of theater companies working together behind it. Also, dividing the theater up would ruin the grandeur of the interior leaving an opulent shell, a few over the top bathrooms and not much else. There may be a reuse for these theaters as is but it’s not Timeline.