“The Avalon Regal Theater — the South Side’s Moorish Revival jewel box that fell into decay after closing 16 years ago — is in line to get a $249,500 city grant to help fix up the landmark venue, the Chicago Department of Planning and Development announced Friday.
“The cash from the agency’s Adopt-A-Landmark Fund would help pay for critical masonry repairs and rebuild the exposed brick substructure of a tower on the northwest corner of the 99-year-old theater at 1645 E. 79th St.
“Also covered under the grant would be the selective removal and resetting of displaced masonry, isolated repointing, temporary supplemental stabilization of the building and the isolated repairs on the theater’s front facade, the department said.
“The theater is among three projects recommended for a total of $666,400 in repair funding under the Adopt-A-Landmark program. The others are Stone Temple Baptist Church in North Lawndale and the appropriately named Monumental Baptist Church in Bronzeville.
“The funding would be the theater’s first significant public cash infusion since Community Capital Investment Partners President Jerald Gary bought the building in 2014 from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. for $100,000.
“Built in 1927 as the Avalon Theater, the building was designed by John Eberson, who modeled the work after an intricate metal Persian incense burner he found in a Royal Street antique store in New Orleans’ French Quarter.
“The 2,200-seat Avalon Regal still dazzles, even in its tattered and disused state.
“The ornate street-side ticket booth alone is worth a look, if you’re ever in the neighborhood. The beauty looks as if a genie would pop out if you rubbed the structure the right way.
“And the colorful auditorium is pure escapism. It’s sky blue ceiling and detailed plaster walls with turrets and minarets are designed to make patrons feel they’re watching a movie or a live show in an outdoor courtyard in an exotic land — rather than near the intersection of 79th Street, Stony Island and South Chicago avenues.
“Landmarks Illinois awarded Gary and Community Capital a $2,500 Preservation Heritage Grant in January 2016 for emergency exterior masonry repairs.
“And Preservation Chicago named the theater one of the city’s seven most endangered buildings in 2012.
“Preservation Chicago Executive Director Ward Miller said he hoped the Adopt-a-Landmark Grant ‘coupled with foundation grants will address the many needs to restore this cornerstone of Avalon Park, South Shore and South Chicago.’
“Community Capital must submit updated drawings and project specifications to the city within 2 years to receive the funds.
“Meanwhile, Stone Temple Baptist Church, 3622 W. Douglas Blvd., a Romanesque and Moorish-inspired former synagogue, where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. once spoke, is set to be awarded $167,000 in Adopt-a-Landmark funding.
“The grant would help repair the parapet on the church’s annex building, purchase new exterior doors and cover interior drywall and plaster work.
“And the 123-year-old Romanesque Revival-styled Monumental Baptist Church, at 729 E. Oakwood Blvd., would get $249,900 for a new roof, downspouts and masonry work.
“‘Since 2016, more than $14 million in Adopt-a-Landmark Grant awards have been allocated for 33 historic preservation projects valued at more than $166 million,’ a planning department spokesperson said.” (Bey, WBEZ / Chicago Sun-Times, 10/3/26)
“Three Adopt-A-Landmark grants collectively valued at more than $665,000 will support the stabilization of a former South Chicago movie palace and historic churches in North Lawndale and Grand Boulevard, the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) announced today.
“Totaling nearly $843,000 in construction costs, the projects were selected from 16 proposals submitted to DPD’s Historic Preservation Division earlier this year. Applications were evaluated for project readiness, location, impact and building needs, among other criteria, with restorations of community anchors receiving priority funding.
“‘Each of these buildings has contributed to its neighborhood’s identity for decades, convening thousands of people within innovative and exquisitely designed communal spaces that need assistance for the future,’ DPD Commissioner Ciere Boatright said. ‘The Adopt-A-Landmark Fund is specifically designed to perform that role.’
“New Regal Theater, 1645 E. 79th St., South Chicago. $249,500 to fund masonry repairs and repointing, rebuilding of cracked brick, supplemental stabilization and exterior scaffolding at the 1927 former Avalon Theater building. The grant will fund the entirety of project costs. Owner: Community Capital Investment LLC
“Stone Temple Baptist Church, 3620-22 W. Douglas Blvd., North Lawndale. $167,000 to support $197,445 in masonry and parapet repairs, internal drainage mitigation and exterior door replacement at the 1926 church. Owner: Stone Temple Baptist Church
“Monumental Baptist Church, 729 E. Oakwood Blvd., Grand Boulevard. $249,900 to support a $369,050 re-roofing project, including downspouts, gutters and select masonry at the 1901 church. Owner: Monumental Baptist Church
“The Adopt-A-Landmark Fund supports the restoration of designated Chicago landmarks. Funding is provided by voluntary zoning fees paid by downtown construction projects through the City’s Neighborhood Opportunity Bonus system. (Chicago Department of Planning and Development, 10/2/26)
Preservation Chicago is encouraged by these three awards and applauds the Chicago Department of Planning and Development for directing Adopt-a-Landmark funding to these important buildings on the South and West Sides in need of support.
The Avalon Regal was a Preservation Chicago 2012 Chicago 7 Most Endangered as part of our Chicago Movie Theaters listing, where it appeared first. John Eberson’s 1927 atmospheric theater, designed after a Persian incense burner he found in a New Orleans antique shop, is one of the finest surviving works by the architect who invented the atmospheric theater type. It has been closed since 2010. The masonry repairs and the rebuilding of the northwest tower substructure are exactly the kind of stabilization work that has to happen before anything else can.
Preservation Chicago recently nominated the Avalon Regal Theater to be a National Trust for Historic Preservation 11 Most Endangered. Additionally, Preservation Chicago has been attending Building Court hearings to advocate for the historic building. We are working closely with owner Jerald Gary to help him secure additional philanthropic funding.
Stone Temple Baptist Church carries particular meaning for us. Preservation Chicago played a critical role in its Chicago Landmark designation and worked directly with Bishop Derrick M. Fitzpatrick throughout that process. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached in that building, and it is a Romanesque and Moorish-inspired former synagogue that tells the layered history of North Lawndale.
The Adopt-a-Landmark Fund has now directed more than $14 million to 33 projects since 2016, leveraging more than $166 million in total project value. That is a program working as intended. Preservation Chicago encourages the City to continue and expand it, and we encourage owners of Chicago Landmarks to apply.
Read the full story at Chicago Sun-Times
- Historic Avalon Regal Theater in play for $250,000 in repair funds; The theater is among three projects recommended for a total of $666,400 under the city’s Adopt-A-Landmark program, including a North Lawndale church where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. once spoke, Lee Bey, WBEZ / Chicago Sun-Times, 10/3/26
- Grants Announced for Three Historic Preservation Projects; Three Adopt-A-Landmark grants collectively valued at more than $665,000 will support the stabilization of a former South Chicago movie palace and historic churches in North Lawndale and Grand Boulevard, Chicago Department of Planning and Development, 10/2/26
- The Avalon Regal Theater was once a luxurious movie palace. Today, its future is uncertain; The theater in South Shore has almost a century of cultural significance. Since 2003, it’s sat mostly empty. What will happen to it? Adriana Cardona-Maguigad, Curious City, WBEZ Chicago, 1/13/23
- Avalon Regal Theater
- Chicago Movie Theaters; a Preservation Chicago 2012 Chicago 7 Most Endangered
- New Regal Theater (Avalon Theater) A Chicago Landmark, www.chicagolandmarkreports.org