What if these walls could talk? They would tell stories of music, community and resilience within the Avalon Regal Theater.
The Avalon Regal Theater stands at 1641 East 79th Street. It is on Chicago’s South Side. This theater is more than just a building. It is a landmark of cultural significance. It is a testament to the spirit of the Avalon Park and South Shore neighborhoods.
Originally named the Avalon Theater, it opened on August 29, 1927. Back then, the area was known as Avalon Park. Predominantly German, Swedish, and Irish families lived here. The Avalon Theater quickly became a vibrant venue for live performing arts. It held that distinction until 1934.
Designed by Austrian-born architect John Eberson, the Avalon Regal Theater boasts an atmospheric and Moorish Revivalist theme. Eberson was inspired by a Persian incense burner. He found it in New Orleans. This inspiration translated into the theater’s exotic motifs.
In the 1960s, the neighborhood saw an influx of African Americans. The Avalon Theater became a cultural hub for the Black community. However, in 1967, the theater closed.
But the story of the Avalon Regal Theater does not end there. In 1970, it was sold and transformed into the Miracle Temple Church. For 14 years, it served as a place of worship.
Then, in 1985, Edward and Bettiann Gardner purchased the building. They were the founders of Soft Sheen Products. The Gardners renovated the theater. In 1987, it reopened as a performing arts venue. It was renamed the New Regal Theater. This name honored the old Regal Theater in Bronzeville. The Bronzeville Regal Theater was an important cultural center for Chicago’s African American community from the 1920s to 1971.
The New Regal Theater received a $1 million grant in May 1987. This was part of a $4.1 million financial package. The theater earned Chicago Landmark status on June 17, 1992. Sadly, the Gardners closed the theater in June 2003 due to low attendance and high operating costs.
Regina Evans purchased the theater in 2008. She was the police chief of Country Club Hills, Illinois. She planned to revive it as a cultural venue. In August 2008, the site hosted a party. It celebrated Barack Obama’s presidential nomination acceptance speech.
The theater faced foreclosure. In 2011, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. acquired it. Community Capital Investment, LLC later purchased it. Jerald Gary, the company’s president, bought the theater in 2010 or February 2014 for $100,000.
In September 2018, Chicago native Kanye West pledged $1 million to help restore the theater. The Chicago Regal Foundation 501(c)(3) was created. It raises funds to reopen and operate the Avalon Regal Theater. The theater participates in Open House Chicago. Visitors can tour the interior for free.
The Avalon Regal Theater has seen many changes. It has evolved with the community. It stands as a reminder of Chicago’s rich cultural history. It is a place where memories were made. It is a beacon of hope for the future.