Friday, September 14, 2018

Curbed Chgo: Kanye West wants to reopen Chicago’s historic Avalon Regal Theater

What has been going on with the Avalon Regal Theater. Some new developments according to Curbed Chicago.
The building was purchased out of foreclosure for $100,000 in 2014 by entrepreneur Jerald Gary. The South Shore native hoped to raise funds to cover numerous plumbing, electrical, and tech-related updates. As of Monday afternoon, a crowdfunding campaign had raised about $200 of its $150,000 goal. The property owner says that he already put “over $1 million” of his own money into the theater, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
 
Gary hopes the restored Avalon Regal will be ready in time to host a holographic concert organized by Chicago rapper Chief Keef on September 26. If not, a “hologram truck” with a built-in stage is standing by as a back up and will host the free show in the theater’s adjacent parking lot, says the Sun-Times

Meanwhile, the building’s ornate lobby eyes a return to the lineup of the Chicago Architecture Center’s annual Open House Chicago weekend, scheduled for October 13 and 14. The site was abruptly pulled from the last year’s event to comply with a court order requiring the property to remain “vacant and secure,” reported the Chicago Tribune.

Provided the renovations move forward, the Avalon Regal would become the latest historic Chicago movie palace to see new life. Other notable projects include the ongoing redevelopment of Logan Square’s 2,900-seat Congress Theater and the recently announced rehabilitation of the massive, 4,381-seat Uptown Theater

[Kanye] West’s interest in the South Side venue was one several Chicago-related tweets published by the celebrity over the weekend. Additionally, West announced plans for a Chicago Yeezy fashion store as well as news that he would be teaching a course at the Art Institute of Chicago.
It's great to know Kanye West is involved in the efforts to restore and ultimately reopen the former movie palace. If the Uptown Theater can garner some excitement with rehabilitation so can the Regal.
 

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