The Loop District in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Chicago Theater

Rapp and Rapp, architects; 1921

— Chicago Landmark —

Chicago Theater Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn

1. Chicago Theater Marker

Inscription. A distinctively American building type, the motion picture palace provided a fantasy environment in which fantasies of stage and screen could be enjoyed. This Beaux-Arts style building, with its elaborate decoration and grand proportions, was one of the first such buildings in the nation and is the oldest surviving in Chicago. Its upright sign and marquee are an unofficial emblem of Chicago.

Designated a Chicago Landmark on January 28, 1983 by the City Council of Chicago.
Jane M. Byrne, Mayor

Erected 1983 by Commission on Chicago Historical and Architectural Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 41° 53.128′ N, 87° 37.663′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in The Loop District. It is on North State Street south of Lake Street, on the right when traveling north. This plaque is in the center of the entrance to the Chicago Theatre and is the middle of three affixed to the theater's front. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 177 N State St, Chicago IL 60601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Page Brothers Building (here, next to this marker); Couch Place (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Couch Place (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Dearborn Bank Building (about 500 feet away); Oliver Building (about 500 feet away); Harris and Selwyn Theaters (about 500 feet away); 35 East Wacker Drive Building (about 500 feet away); Viet Nam Memorial (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Chicago Theater. The theater's twinkling marquee remains an iconic feature of Chicago's Loop, where it survives as one of the city's premier concert venues, owned by New York-based Madison Square Garden Entertainment.

Also see . . .
1. History of The Chicago Theatre. A history of the building from its current owner, Madison Square Garden Entertainment.

Excerpt: "The Chicago Theatre was the first large, lavish movie palace in America and was the prototype for all others. This beautiful movie palace was constructed for $4 million by theatre owners Barney and Abe Balaban and Sam and Morris Katz and designed by Cornelius and George Rapp. It was the flagship of the Balaban and Katz theatre chain."

(Submitted on November 21, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean Flynn, November 20, 2023

2. Chicago Theater Marker

The marker is on the right; a second Chicago Landmark marker for the adjoining Page Brothers building is on the left.

2. Chicago Architecture Center: Chicago Theatre.

Excerpt: "Three times in the building’s history, it has undergone renovations to keep it ready for its close-ups. First, it was renovated and redecorated in 1933 in preparation for Chicago’s second World’s Fair, known as 'A Century of Progress.' It was given new interior murals and updated décor. In the 1950s, the theater was modernized. At around this time, the live performances that had been staged there since the theater’s opening were discontinued. Its most recent renovation came 20 years later. By the late 1970s, the ornate movie house’s popularity had begun to wane; it was closed in September of 1985. In 1986, Chicago Theater Restoration Associates bought the building to save it from demolition. They began a meticulous nine-month, multi-million dollar restoration and reopened the theater on September 10, 1986, with a gala performance by Frank Sinatra."

(Submitted on May 29, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

3. Chicago Landmark website: Chicago Theater. The page's description (which serves as the basis for the text of the historical marker itself) describes the building's marquee as "an unofficial emblem of the city." (Submitted on November 21, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

4. New York Times: Dispute Over Theater Splits Chicago City Council

Nighttime view of the Chicago Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, November 18, 2023

3. Nighttime view of the Chicago Theatre

. A 1984 article discusses conflicts between the then-owner of the theater, Plitt Theaters, and the city and preservationists who wanted to preserve the building. Plitt claimed that the theater's Chicago Landmark status caused the property to lose money; it wanted the city to buy the building for $32 million, or otherwise be permitted to tear down the building and replace it with a high-rise. The theater eventually closed in 1985 and was saved from demolition in 1986 by Chicago Theater Restoration Associates, which restored the building.

Excerpt: "In the 70's Plitt bought the theater and ran it profitably as a movie house until 1979 when, the owners say, film distribution patterns changed. The Chicago began showing Grade B movies. With less retail trade along State Street, attendance declined, as did the theater's profits."

(Submitted on May 29, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Chicago Theater Center marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, November 18, 2023

4. Chicago Theater Center marker

This marker is on the right side of the building, near the alley, recognizing the combination of the Chicago Theater with the Page Brothers Building next door.

Chicago Theater image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, November 20, 2023

5. Chicago Theater

The theater's iconic marquee, in a photo taken facing south from near Lake Street.

Chicago Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, November 25, 2020

6. Chicago Theatre

The Page Brothers building is the left side of the theater complex, at the corner of Lake and State next to the CTA "L" track.

Roger Ebert medallion image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, November 24, 2023

7. Roger Ebert medallion

This medallion in the sidewalk in front of the Chicago Theatre honors Roger Ebert, the long-time film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times. Ebert was best known as co-host of "At the Movies"—with the late Gene Siskel, namesake of a film center across the street from the Chicago Theatre.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, September 5, 2021

8. Chicago Theatre

The Chicago Theatre and its iconic marquee, towering over State Street, is seen here from the platform for the State/Lake stop on the CTA "L" train's Green, Brown, Orange, Pink and Purple lines. (The State/Lake station was razed in 2026 and is being replaced with a new, modern station, expected to re-open in 2029.) The adjoining Page Brothers building is to the left of the marquee.

Photographed by Chicago History Museum, circa 1923

9. Chicago Theater

An exterior view from the 1920s of the Chicago Theater, where the 1921 film "Broken Chains" is playing.

Photographed by Max Rico Printing Company, Chicago (Curt Teich Art Card), circa 1925

10. Chicago Theatre

Note the marquee lists the film “Broadway Rose”, originally released in 1922.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 1,356 times since then and 103 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 20, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 6. submitted on November 21, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 7. submitted on November 24, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 8, 9. submitted on November 20, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 10. submitted on November 20, 2023. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.