Uptown Theatre Still Beautiful...But Not Exactly Ready...After All These Years
The Uptown Theatre at 4816 North Broadway opened in 1925, but has not had a performance since 1981.
But it's still glorious, even in disrepair.
Dave Syfczak is the caretaker of the Uptown, and he took WBBM's Terry Keshner on a behind-the-scenes tour pointing the historic chandeliers, columns and more.
Syfczak said fully restoring the Uptown could cost up to 200 million dollars, noting that "all that the gilding you see, that's 24-karat gold leaf. All the artistry and paint scheme is...magnificent work. This is a cultural icon that would provide many generations of Chicagoans entertainment from now into the future."
As Syfczak walked around Uptown the pride, and the nostalgia, and the promise of what might live again could be felt amid the ornate columns, grand staircase, towering windows, priceless chandeliers and overall charm and grandeur of the former movie palace and concert venue that opened in 1925.
Syfczak said Chicago should not be intimidated by the high price tag of the Uptown's restoration noting, "it takes a public and private effort to do these things. Look at what we thought were white elephants of the past...the old downtown Post Office, that building's doing vibrantly, the old Cook County Hospital building."
Several groups, including Friends of the Uptown and several Chicago politicians have been involved in efforts to restore and reopen the Uptown Theatre.
Renovation efforts continue
Renovation efforts continue
