“The landmark process for the Ramova Theatre at 3508 S. Halsted St. in Bridgeport has been far less contentious, with developer Tyler Nevius firmly in support.
“The Ramova opened in 1929 as a sister theater to the Music Box Theatre in Lakeview. The interior was designed in the ‘atmospheric’ style of the 1920s, with an auditorium meant to resemble Spanish courtyards and stars on deep blue ceilings that would glimmer before each movie.
“The theater closed in 1985 and was eventually acquired through eminent domain by the city of Chicago in 2001, according to city planners.
“It was taken over by Nevius’ Our Revival Chicago LLC in 2020, which undertook an expansive rehabilitation of the space, which includes a 1,500 capacity music venue that opened late last year. The venue is also home to Other Half Ramova brewery and the Ramova Grill restaurant.
“Commission members also voted unanimously in favor of landmarking the theater.
“‘This is an amazing project,’ landmarks commission chair Ernest Wong said.” (Quinn Myers and Madison Savedra, Block Club Chicago, 6/7/24)
Preservation Chicago is thrilled that the Ramova Theater has finally reopened after a long restoration and much longer period of vacancy. The Ramova Theater was a Chicago 7 Most Endangered 2012 along with a number of other neighborhood theaters. Preservation Chicago had long advocated to find a user for the Ramova in partnership with the Save the Ramova campaign lead by Maureen Sullivan, a dedicated Bridgeport neighbor and community leader.
Preservation Chicago testified at every opportunity in support of Chicago Landmark Designation for the Ramova Theater. Preservation Chicago continues to work with and support stakeholders in an effort to help the final Ramova Theater redevelopment be as successful as possible. We fully support this development and supported the use of TIF funds to make it possible. This is precisely the type of neighborhood-oriented reinvestment that Chicago needs to help make all neighborhoods vibrant places to live, work and explore.