Also known as: Cadillac Theater Also known as: Palace Theater Formerly: Bismarck Theatre Formerly: New Palace Theater Formerly: RKO Palace Theater Formerly: Orpheum Theatre Chicago Built: 1925-1926 Designed by: Rapp and Rapp Renovated: 1999 by Daniel P. Coffey & Associates Type: Entertainment Venue Stories: 19 Location: 151 West Randolph Street, Chicago, United States
Building Rating 80% of readers like the Cadillac Palace Theater.
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A bit bland on the outside, this architectural jewel shines on the inside and marks the Western end of what's left of Chicago's once glittering Theater District.
Being housed in the same building as a hotel, the Cadillac Palace Theater doesn't have the opportunity to show off the way some of the other nearby theaters do. Worse, the theater's purpose has been co-opted multiple times over the years. It has been used for movies, rock concerts, even banquets. But like the mighty willow, the theater has bent to the wishes of its owners in order to survive without breaking.
During the Second World War the two brass chandeliers in the foyer were painted white so that no one would realize what they were made of and melt them down to help the war effort.
The interior of this building was inspired by the palace of Versailles in France.
Seating capacity: 2,500.
1925: Construction begins.
October 4, 1926: This building opens to the public.
1931: The auditorium is converted from a performance hall to a movie theater.
1950's: Live performances are added to the film screenings.
1999: The auditorium is restored to its original function.
Unlike many other historic theaters in downtown Chicago, this one was created for live performances, while most others were originally movie houses later converted for stage productions.
Kevin Rooney
Saturday, December 30th, 2006 @ 7:58pm
Rating: Five stars. The structure and its renovation are fantastic. The accoustics, even buried deep under the dress circle, are crisp and clear. What is sad is that the honor/memorial plaque in the main lobby of the theatre can't get its message grammatically correct as the use of its vs. it's is a glaring error.
linda holota
Tuesday, March 28th, 2006 @ 12:06pm
Rating: Five stars. when I first stepped into the buildingmy breath was taken away. I couldint beleive how beautifull and detailed it was . I couldint even imagine how much work it would take to build something like that.
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Kevin Rooney
Five stars.