“A significant local landmark, the Uptown Theatre is a familiar sight to anyone who has wandered the lively intersection of Broadway and Lawrence Avenue. While the faded posters of silent films decorating its exterior hint at a magnificent past, the glories of its history would probably surprise even the most imaginative mind.

“To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the former movie and concert emporium’s opening, co-authors and local history enthusiasts Robert Loerzel and James A. Pierce wrote The Uptown: Chicago’s Endangered Movie Palace, published this past August by CityFiles Press. The book highlights the institution’s glamorous velvet strewn past, highlighted by an amazing array of photographs, while also chronicling the unfortunate circumstances that led to its current shuttered state.

“On the eve of a multitude of celebratory events for the book’s publication, Pierce gave Windy City Times an overview of the things he finds most fascinating about the theatre. He is joined throughout by Brad Suster, the current president of Preservation Chicago, who married his husband in the iconic space in 1999.

“Windy City Times: When did your interest with the Uptown Theatre first start?

“James A. Pierce: I moved to 915 W. Carmen Ave. in March of 1995. I counted pennies early one morning to buy breakfast and walked a circuitous, southwesterly path through the neighborhood out to Broadway to see where that might be possible. I ended up at the Uptown Snack Shop at Broadway and Leland. After eating…I walked back outside and saw the big red and white marquee to the north. … As I got closer to it, I could see it was obviously distressed. There were so many posters and handbills on the board-up job covering the lobby doors and box office that it looked like Hollywood set designers had made a vacant theatre.

“From that moment on, I had the same adventure of discovery that most have—passing by on the “L” and figuring out that the monumental terra cotta facade isn’t where the theatre is. That’s just the first of three lobbies. The theatre (or auditorium) is under the giant rooftop behind it, with its massive walls and stage house.

“Brad Suster: I walked in the Uptown for the first time in January of 1992 when I saw people going into the usually boarded up space on a dreary, grey, and snowy day on my drive into the city of Chicago from Evanston–where I was living at the time. Sneaking through the interior ticket area I opened the door to the grand lobby and was shocked to discover they were in the midst of filming Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

“WCT: James, what was the impetus for the book and how long did the process, as a whole, take?

“JP: This is the book I thought would be on the shelf when I first became interested. What was available at that time was a booklet or magazine from Theatre Historical Society of America, which was reprinted from their quarterly publication in 1977. One of my mentors made me join THSA and buy the booklet before he would invest time in talking with me about the Uptown. I surmise he didn’t want to waste time on anyone who wasn’t willing to do that! And it was a great primer. I had been talking about “writing a book” for more than 20 years. … This is volume number one, and the book that the building needs now. It asks: Can we spark a movement to save the Uptown?

“WCT: Can you describe more of that first encounter with the Uptown, Brad?

“BS: The huge ornate lobby was decorated as the interior of a giant toy store and not only was it filled with so much historic detail but also so much action with kids running around and so much color with all sorts of packages and displays. To this day it was the probably the most incredible visual experience in my life–truly like the iconic scene in The Wizard of Oz where the screen went from black and white to dazzling technicolor. I would never forget this. So, when I needed to find a place to hold our commitment ceremony, it was the only place that I was hoping to use.

“WCT: Brad, how did you manage to arrange for your commitment ceremony in the space? It must have taken some doing as it was basically closed for operation.

“BS: With my contacts in the Preservation community, I was able to secure the space for our ceremony almost 7 years later on October 2, 1999. With the help of my extended family and many Uptown volunteers we were able to get the space cleaned and safely electrified over a three-month time period. Guests were able to access all the historic spaces, and we had over 200 guests celebrate with us. Until this day anyone who attended our ceremony says it was the most magical wedding space they have ever attended. I couldn’t agree more

“WCT: Do you think the theater will ever truly reopen—and if so, what programs would you like to see produced there?

“JP: I do. This generation of leaders is excited about it and seems more eager and creative than their predecessors. I’d like to see everyone connected with it meet more often and start chipping away and what needs to be done. Any work on the building would be good work—to add what was done to stabilize it in 2005. I feel it will be a wide variety of entertainment…

“BS: Since the Uptown has both interior and exterior land marking and has so much love I think it will be renovated. The current owner is a good steward and is keeping the place heated and dry–the money just needs to become available. I see the space as perfect for comedians and concerts.” (Kirst, Windy City Times, 11/14/25)

Preservation Chicago has long advocated for the restoration of the Uptown Theatre. The Uptown is an extraordinary Chicago asset that would be a powerful economic driver in Uptown. We strongly supported the effort to restore the Uptown in 2018 under Rahm Emanuel’s administration when the cost was estimated at $75M. Today in 2025, the cost is estimated at $190M. The longer we wait, the more expensive the restoration becomes and opportunities for economic vibrancy, supporting local businesses, and local employment are missed. Fortunately, the Uptown Theatre is a Designated Chicago Landmark and is being actively maintained, so demolition is not a top concern. However, vacant buildings without active uses is not sustainable long-term. We urge all decision-makers to harness the earmark the necessary to restore the Uptown Theatre.

Read the full interview at Windy City Times

• As Uptown Theatre marks 100 Years, its ties with Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community resurface, Brian Kirst, Windy City Times, 11/14/25
• The Uptown Theatre turns 100 with a new book and serious questions about its future; Chicago’s favorite relic is hosting a group photo on Saturday, and a new book about its grandiose past and uncertain future comes out this week, Mark Guarino, Chicago Sun-Times, 8/15/25
• The Uptown: Chicago’s Endangered Movie Palace, by Robert Loerzel and James A. Pierce
• Column: Will there be more birthdays for the Uptown Theatre? A new book looks at its history, Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 9/10/25
• WATCH: Our Chicago: The future of the Uptown Theatre, ABC 7 News Chicago, Tanja Babich interviews Loerzel and Preservation Chicago’s Ward Miller, 8/24/25
• LISTEN: Reset: Past, present and future of the Uptown Theatre as it turns 100, The Uptown Theatre marks its centennial anniversary despite spending more than 40 of those years in vacancy, Mariah Woelfel interviews Loerzel, David Syfczak, and Preservation Chicago’s Ward Miller, WBEZ Chicago, 8/20/25
• WATCH: Long-Shuttered Uptown Theatre Marks Centennial With New Book, Renewed Momentum for Restoration, Nick Blumberg, WTTW Chicago, 9/8/25
• WATCH: Chicago’s Uptown Theater at 100, Eddie Arruza (12:01)
• Why I bought the Uptown Theatre and fight for its restoration; We’re not chasing a dream. We’re building a plan, Jerry Mickelson, Chicago Tribune, 8/15/25
• Will The Uptown Theatre Ever Reopen? Historic Movie Palace Turns 100 Amid Latest Revival Effort, The Uptown Theatre has sat vacant for 44 of its 100 years. Efforts to reopen it have come and gone. A new effort carries a $190 million price tag, with funding yet to be secured. “Uptown is missing its crown jewel,” its owner said, Mack Liederman and Madison Savedra, Block Club Chicago, 8/18/25
• Every Man a King, As the shuttered Uptown Theatre turns 100, a new book relives its storied past and pleads for its restoration. Here’s what we learned, Paula Kamen, Chicago Magazine, 8/18/25
• Paris on Politics: New book on history of Uptown Theatre, Paris Schutz, Fox32 Chicago, 8/20/25
• Uptown Theatre: 100 years of glory and decay; The shuttered Uptown Theatre, a ‘splendiferous palace’ of cinema and live entertainment, awaits its resurrection, Robert Loerzel, Chicago Tribune, 8/10/25
• Robert Loerzel Interview on Getting a little wiser with Johnnie and Steve, WGN NewsRadio 720, 9/8/25
• Chicago History Podcast — Episode 812: Chicago’s Uptown Theater with author Robert Loerzel, interviewed by Tommy Henry, August 16, 2025