“After sitting vacant for years and being named one of Illinois’ most endangered historic sites in 2024, the 106-year-old Portage Theater at 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave. is set to undergo a major restoration aimed at reopening its doors within a year.

”The historic venue was acquired last fall by Chris Bauman’s Zenith Music Group. Bauman organized events at the venue from 2014 to 2018. To bring the Portage Park mainstay back to life, he’s launching a nonprofit foundation with an initial goal of raising $3 million for repairs, followed by phased modernizations over time.

”First opened in 1920 as a grand movie palace, the Portage Theater served as a gathering place for filmgoers, later evolving to host concerts, silent film screenings, live performances and local events. The new restoration plan focuses on honoring that legacy while updating the space for modern audiences.

”The first priority is repairing the iconic exterior marquee, which currently suffers from structural damage; work on the metal and brickwork is slated to begin within 30 to 60 days. Fortunately, interior damage is largely cosmetic. Planned upgrades include expanding the restroom facilities from eight stalls to 24 (plus an ADA-accessible family bathroom), adding dedicated green rooms, installing decorative lighting to highlight the auditorium’s ornate ceiling designs and creating a music-themed bar in an adjacent storefront. The project will also add custom walk-of-fame stars in the lobby honoring sold-out artists.

”Once completed, the venue will boast a capacity of roughly 1,499. Bauman envisions a dynamic mix of uses, ranging from concerts and film screenings to indoor markets, local theater and broad community programming.

”To achieve this vision, the foundation is actively seeking public support, offering perks like personalized entry tiles, custom marquee messages and collectible certificates for donors, while also welcoming volunteers to assist with fundraising and cleanup.” (Lopez, Time Out Chicago, 8/31/26)

”’The goal when we open Portage again is not just to get it open but to have it ready for the next 100 years,’ Bauman said. ‘We want to maintain its beauty and its history but also make sure it’s ready to host the events of the next century.’

”’A lot of really wonderful people have already reached out wanting to help,’ Bauman said. ‘It’s been amazing to see how much people care about it.’” (DeVore, Block Club Chicago, 4/13/26)

Preservation Chicago is thrilled to see the Portage Theater reach this stage. Chris Bauman and Zenith Music Group paid off more than $500,000 in back taxes, took over the emergency canopy under the damaged marquee, began cleaning the interior, and have now launched the Portage Theater Foundation with a $3 million initial goal. The 1920 Portage Theater is one of Chicago’s finest surviving neighborhood movie palaces, and it anchors the Six Corners commercial district.

Preservation Chicago has advocated for the restoration and reactivation of the Portage Theater for many years. The Portage was named to our Chicago 7 Most Endangered list in 2012, and we played a leadership role in the Chicago Landmark designation that followed in 2013. Ward Miller spoke in support of resolving the building’s issues and moving forward with restoration at multiple Building Court hearings, and we have continued to work closely with neighborhood partners throughout the receivership and litigation.

Years ago, Preservation Chicago also encouraged the church interested in buying the Portage Theater property to convert it into a religious use, to instead pursue the purchase of the old Bel-Park Theater of 1927, located at 3231 N. Cicero Avenue in the Belmont Cragin Community. It was then known as the Golden Tiara Ballroom and Bingo Hall. Preservation Chicago considered this to be a good alternative, aligned with the Portage Park Community’s desires, as the Bel-Park property was soon also facing a sale and an uncertain future. Ironically, the former Bel-Park has been restored and revisioned as a church (The Chicago Tabernacle), while the Portage Theater has lingered, despite its Chicago Landmark status.”

The Portage Theater Foundation is seeking donations and volunteers. We encourage our readers to visit portagetheaterfoundation.org and support this campaign. A 1920 movie palace with 1,499 seats, dark for most of a decade, is now on track to be reopened.

Read the full story at Time Out Chicago

• This century-old Chicago theater could reopen next year after being closed for a decade — but it needs your help; From fixing the iconic marquee to adding a Walk of Fame, the project aims to reopen the Portage Theater within a year, Gerrish Lopez, Time Out Chicago, 8/31/26
• Portage Theater Foundation
• Portage Theater Restoration Advances As New Owner Takes Over Repairs; Chris Bauman, of Zenith Music Group, has applied for grants and begun cleaning the interior of the historical theater, which went into receivership under the previous owner, Molly DeVore, Block Club Chicago, 4/13/26
• Historic Portage Theater Has A New Owner Who Plans To Revive It As A Community Space, Molly DeVore and Leen Yassine, Block Club Chicago, 10/24/25
• Portage Theater; Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois 2024, Landmarks Illinois
• Chicago Movie Theaters; a Preservation Chicago 2012 Chicago 7 Most Endangered
• WIN: New Owner Begins Restoration of Long-Vacant Portage Theater (Chicago 7 2012); Preservation Chicago, 4/2026
• WIN: After Years of Vacancy, Receivership, and Building Court Hearings, Portage Theater Purchased by Experienced Chicago Theater Operator (Chicago 7 2012); Preservation Chicago
• THREATENED: After Years of Deferred Maintenance, City of Chicago Sues to Stop Unpermitted Repair Work at Portage Theater (Chicago 7 2012); Preservation Chicago
• THREATENED: Immediate Repairs Necessary for Chicago Landmark Portage Theater (Chicago 7 2012); Preservation Chicago