Your Support Is Needed for…
Restoring Chandeliers
Chicago’s Uptown Theatre is an architectural masterpiece that’s has been closed since 1981. Efforts to restore and reopen the theater continue to this day.
Fans of Chicago architecture and lovers of history can support the restoration, storage and reinstallation of the priceless bronze and crystal Victor S. Pearlman chandeliers that belong in the theatre. The nonprofit Landmark Uptown Theatre Corp. is accepting donations to help cover the cost of this monumental project component. To become a sponsor, please make your donation* via Zelle through the clickable link below.
* Donors will receive a letter to use for their tax purposes.
Donate Via Zelle to:
Landmark Uptown Theater Corp.
foralltime1925 [at]
gmail [dot] com
Zelle is preferred. However, you may send a check via U.S. Mail to:
Landmark Uptown Theater Corp.
1953 N. Clybourn Ave. #297
Chicago, IL 60614
About This Effort:
The Landmark Uptown Theatre Corporation is an Illinois non-profit corporation whose mission is to promote awareness of the Uptown Theatre’s history and restoration efforts, and to preserve the building and its priceless chandeliers and fixtures. The organization is led by longtime volunteers who have worked tirelessly to achieve this mission. “Friends of the Uptown” is our public outreach activity.
We are raising funds to support the chandelier project and to promote the ongoing efforts to restore and reopen this historic Chicago venue. Donations made to this effort will be used to support the preservation of the theatre’s chandeliers, and as a 501(c)(3) organization, donations to this effort are tax deductible as allowed by law.
Why Restore It?
“‘…Given how much economic activity the Loop sees in comparison with Uptown, and given the historic lack of investment in Uptown, and given Uptown’s well-documented problems of poverty and crime, it is hard to argue that this transference is anything but a far-sighted investment from an administration that has been right to focus less on the Loop.”
— Chicago Tribune
For All Time!
The theater was built at a cost of $4 million between 1924 and 1925 by the local, family-owned company of Balaban & Katz, following the success of their Central Park, Riviera, Tivoli and Chicago theaters. “Built For All Time,” its over-the-top, neo-Spanish Baroque design by the Chicago architectural firm of C.W. and George L. Rapp was touted as “An Acre of Seats in a Magic City.”
— Architecture Chicago PLUS
In memory of Bob Boin, who gave more than 30 years of service as caretaker, tour guide and friend of the Uptown. Read more about Bob and more Uptown heroes. Bob was also instrumental in helping to save the Chicago Theatre.