Uptown Theatre was major Open House Chicago draw. How do we get it restored?

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, October 24, 2026

Thousands visited Chicago’s Uptown Theatre during its first-ever participation in Open House Chicago, marking the theater’s first public event since closing in 1981. The high turnout has spurred renewed efforts to raise funds for the $200 million restoration, highlighting the building’s cultural importance and potential for future use.

Thousands of visitors lined up for hours on Sunday in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood to tour the historic Uptown Theatre, a 4,300-seat movie palace that has been closed since 1981. The event marked the theater’s first participation in the Chicago Architecture Center’s Open House Chicago, an annual weekend when notable buildings around the city open their doors for free public tours.

Over the course of two days, approximately 8,940 people entered the theater, setting a possible attendance record for an Open House Chicago site, according to Adam Rubin of the Chicago Architecture Center. Many attendees had never seen the theater’s interior, despite the building’s prominent location near the intersection of Broadway and Lawrence Avenue.

Visitors expressed awe at the theater’s grand scale, ornate ceiling, and sweeping balcony. Some recalled attending concerts or movie screenings at the venue decades ago, referencing names such as Bruce Springsteen and films like “Mary Poppins.” The theater’s intricate design was created by the architectural firm Rapp and Rapp in 1925.

The Uptown Theatre has been shuttered for more than four decades, its lavish interior largely preserved but inaccessible to the public. The building is currently owned by Jerry Mickelson, whose company, Jam Productions, organized the event in hopes of generating renewed interest and support for the theater’s restoration. Mickelson estimates that it will cost nearly $200 million to fully renovate the building. He is seeking financial assistance through tax increment financing from the city as well as investments from private sources.

Volunteers, including local writer Robert Loerzel and architecture writer Elizabeth Blasius, helped facilitate tours and provide information during the event. Blasius noted that the theater’s scale and detail are difficult to fully comprehend without experiencing the space firsthand, emphasizing the building’s historical integrity and the dedication of those working to preserve it.

The Open House Chicago event was the first major public gathering within the Uptown Theatre in nearly 45 years and has stirred enthusiasm among both local residents and preservation advocates. Mickelson’s group is encouraging the public to contact city aldermen to advocate for the theater’s restoration, highlighting the cultural and architectural significance of the site and its potential to host entertainment and special events in the future.

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