CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Built in 1889, The Auditorium Theatre was the city's marquis structure after the Great Chicago Fire. At the time, it was the largest building in the country with all the modern luxuries.
"It was the first building with modern electricity, with carbon filament light bulbs and it was the first building to be air conditioned," said Rich Regan, CEO of the Auditorium Theatre. "They did that with 15 tons of ice that they blew fans over to cool the air."
On Dec. 9, the historical landmark will celebrate 130 years.
"This is an amazing milestone that this theater has been here for 130 years operating in various states of the years." he said.
The theatre, which lives inside Roosevelt University, helped establish Chicago as an international city following the Great Chicago Fire, and opening night at the theater brought prominent figures such as President Benjamin Harrison, Vice President Levi Morton and many others to the city to witness the architectural innovation of Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan.
The Auditorium Theatre played a critical role in Chicago being named host for 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.
"This building was really the first for the arts in the city. We talk about the Daniel Burnham city plan. The epicenter of that plan was Buckingham Fountain. We are just a stones throw from Buckingham Fountain. Those who determined the location of the World's Fair, they said, 'Wow, Chicago can build a building as prominent and beautiful as the Auditorium building, they'll be able to handle the Columbian Exposition, no problem.'"
On Oct. 31, 1967, it reopened with a gala performance of the New York City Ballet's production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and soon became the house of rock.
Regan said it became the most significant rock house in the Midwest, if not the world, at that time.
To celebrate its birthday, the venue is opening its doors to the public all day on Dec. 9 for free tours and an open house starting at 4 p.m. Although it's free, registration is encouraged.
"We're having a toast at 6 o'clock and some quick speeches. We have self guided tours and sketching space," Regan said. "We give tours to architecture students all the time. (There is a) lot of history here; we encourage everyone to come and see it."