“After sitting vacant for seven years, Six Corner’s Portage Theater has a new owner with big plans. Chris Bauman, founder of the Avondale Music Hall and partial owner of the Patio Theater, said his purchase of the Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave., was finalized Thursday.

“Bauman’s company, Zenith Music Group, bought the theater from its former owner for $25,000. Bauman said he will also address the more than $500,000 of back taxes owed on the property.

“Bauman, who organized events at the Portage Theater from 2014 to 2018, said his goal is to transform the theater into ‘the community center that it was built to be.’

“Bauman wants the theater to offer something for everyone: concerts, film screenings, dance performances, indoor markets and even high school plays. However, because of Bauman’s experience with the Patio Theater and Avondale Music Hall, he knows bringing the 105-year-old theater back to life will be a heavy lift.

“‘I’m feeling so excited,’ he said. ‘Having built [and revitalized] different venues in the past, I know what kind of undertaking is ahead. I know what it’s going to take to get Portage Theater to be alive and vibrant again, and I think it’s going to be a difficult, daunting task, but I know it’s possible. And I’m just excited to take it on.’

“Bauman has been in contact with the city’s attorneys and hopes the city’s lawsuit against the theater for those violations will be dropped by mid-November, when the next hearing is expected to take place, he said.

“Bauman plans on establishing the Portage Theater Foundation, a nonprofit that would involve neighborhood groups. Through the foundation, local organizations would be able to host events at the theater and would play a role in maintaining it, Bauman said.

“Bauman also wants to host community meetings to hear what neighbors want to see at the theater, and he plans on applying for historic preservation grants to help fund the restoration.

“‘There’s so much great legacy in these rooms, and they’ve all be facing extinction for a long time,’ Bauman said. ‘I’ve seen so many of these venues either fall apart or be bulldozed or become Walgreens, and that really just destroys the character of our city.’

“Bauman envisions the Portage Theater being “an economic driver” for the neighborhood.

“’It’s not too late for [the theater]. It hasn’t fallen apart,’ Bauman said. ‘It’s the perfect time to revitalize it and bring it back to life.’” (DeVore and Yassine, Block Club Chicago, 10/24/25)

“The Portage Theater is a city landmark, and a representative of Preservation Chicago attended the court hearing.” (Nadig, Nadig Newspapers, 9/11/25)

Preservation Chicago has been advocating for the restoration and reactivation of the Portage Theater for many years. The Portage Theater was a Chicago 7 Most Endangered in 2012 and played an important leadership role in the Chicago Landmark Designation process in 2013.

At the most recent Building Court hearing, Ward Miller spoke in support of resolving the issues and moving forward with a restoration and reopening of the Portage Theater. We continue to work closely with neighborhood partners and have attended the recent Building Court hearings to advocate on behalf the historic landmark building.

Read the full story at Block Club Chicago and Nadig Newspapers

• Historic Portage Theater Has A New Owner Who Plans To Revive It As A Community Space; Chris Bauman, founder of the Avondale Music Hall and partial owner of the Patio Theater, bought the theater and wants to create a “community center” that hosts concerts, film screenings, indoor markets, performances and more, Molly DeVore and Leen Yassine, Block Club Chicago, 10/24/25
• Former Patio Theater operator has contract to buy Portage Theater, which has $503,000 in owed taxes, Brian Nadig, Nadig Newspapers, 9/11/25
• Prospective Portage Theater Owner Wants To Restore It As A Cinema, But Tax Issues Remain; An attorney for the potential buyer said his client wants to return the Portage Theater to its roots as a movie theater. But before the sale can go through, the theater’s back taxes must be redeemed, Molly DeVore, Block Club Chicago, 4/25/25
• $503,000 owed in property taxes for Portage Theater; owner not at building court hearing, Brian Nadig, Nadig Newspapers, 5/9/25
• Historic Portage Theater Could Go Into Receivership As Owner Gives Up Property; Attorneys said Thursday the theater’s owners filed a motion to withdraw from the property. Community leaders said they feel like plans to restore the theater are “back at square one.” Molly DeVore, Block Club Chicago, 3/21/25
• Historic Portage Theater Deteriorating As City Pushes Owner To Make Urgent Repairs: ‘We’re Sick Of This’; The city is suing the theater’s owner for unauthorized work and code violations. Inspectors say the marquee could collapse if repairs aren’t made as soon as possible, Molly DeVore, Block Club Chicago, 10/28/24
• City Sues Portage Theater Owners For Alleged Building Code Violations; The lawsuit comes three months after the 103-year-old theater was named one of the most endangered sites in Illinois, Molly DeVore, Block Club Chicago, 8/2/24
• Portage Theater: Chicago Movie Theaters, a Preservation Chicago 2012 Chicago 7 Most Endangered