Avalon (New Regal) Theatre
View of the auditorium from the balcony.
The Avalon Theatre opened on August 29, 1927 in Chicago, IL. The 2,250 seat theater was designed by noted theater architect John Eberson, who is also known for the Loew’s 46th Street Theatre in Brooklyn, NY. The design of the interior was inspired by a Persian incense burner Eberson found while shopping in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
The lobby ceiling design was inspired by a Persian rug and was called, “the largest flying carpet in the world.”
An atmospheric theater, the auditorium ceiling was a replica of the night sky complete with small lights as stars. The south wall of the auditorium was modeled after a garden with arches at the base, a reflecting pool and stuffed flamingos. The other side was designed to resemble a Persian palace with a dome and minarets.
The opening acts were a musical presentation called Dreams of Araby performed by Buddy Fisher, and Soft Cushions, a silent film starring Douglas MacLean. A fountain in the auditorium originally operated during performances, but it was discontinued when it seemed to cause people to use the bathroom more frequently. The Avalon discontinued live performances in the 1930s and switched to showing only motion pictures until 1970 when the theater was sold.
View of the auditorium from the stage.
The theater was used as a meeting hall and later as a church until it was purchased by Edward and Bettiann Gardner in 1985. The Gardners renovated the Avalon and renamed it the New Regal Theatre after the original Regal Theatre which was demolished after a fire in 1973. It reopened as a performing arts center in 1987. The Regal Theatre was named a Chicago landmark in June 1992. 16 years after it reopened, the theater closed again due to low attendance.
The ticket booth of the Avalon/New Regal Theatre.
In 2008, the New Regal was purchased by the Prime Time Group, Inc. The Prime Time Group made some upgrades to the building and began to hold events at the theater. One such event was a presidential election night celebration on November 4, 2008. Not all the required repairs were begun in time, and PTG was fined by the city. PTG declared bankruptcy, and the theater was purchased by the FDIC in a foreclosure sale.
Three carved and painted wood murals set in arches depicting people and animals in Persian royal gardens.
A close up of one of the wood murals in the lobby.
View of the side of the auditorium from the balcony.
The script above the exit reads “Be seated I beg you.”
A fountain in the theater’s lobby.
The stairway to the downstairs bathrooms is flanked by two fountains.
Another view of the auditorium from the balcony.
A close up of the lobby ceiling.
Another view of the lobby.
The proscenium arch was built to resemble a fortified wall and was topped with a cloth canopy suspended on spears.
Beautiful! I am such a fan of this blog. It is so important these places be documented. Thank God someone is doing it correctly!!!
Thanks Chad.
Sensational! I’m so happy that I voted for this theatre and it won! Thanks
Any idea what is in store for its future?
The FDIC is currently trying to sell the theater, preferably to someone who will reopen it as a performance center.
I sure hope this place can find a future function. It’s absolutely stunning.
Thank you for the great pictures of such a beautiful theatre.
Absolutely stunning!! Thank you!!!
I grew up on 76th and East End, three blocks away, and lived there until 1970; the Avalon was like my second home. In my recurring dreams, the interior has either been changed significantly or has become quite shabby. (The last few times I’ve driven by the exterior has looked a little shopworn.)
However, I am amazed and heartened at the condition of the interior – it looks better than ever. Thank you for the photos. May it rise again.
This theater is so beautiful it’s very sad that it doesn’t have a purpose. They could hold so many performances here. Bring in specialized performers – illusionists, dancers, singers. Look for unique talent and showcase it.
Yes, awesome Blog and really beautiful theatre!
Who owns the theater now? I heard it was being re-opened …! Is that rue. It is such a great landmark
I heard the same, but the theater was recently put up for auction by the FDIC so I’m not sure what’s going on now.
I grew up in the house across the alley by the theatres rear emergency exits. Too many memories….. thank you for the photos. Maybe I should find a way to play “Tevye” from “Fiddler on The Roof ” there…. My fondest dream…
I remember seeing Jason & the Argonauts there (as well as other movies) in 1964. Many happy childhood memories. It is a spectacular place.
The Avalon is truly one of John Eberson’s finest designs. The Paradise Theatre, in the Bronx (another Eberson) was recently restored as well. In Chicago, the Paradise, the Capitol and the Aragon Ballroom were all designed by Eberson.
The beauty of this theater so far exceeds today’s version of what a theater should be that it isn’t even funny. Today’s junk with the multi-screens they offer, are built to make money. Period. This theater is unbelievably beautiful. It would be great if tours of its interior could be arranged.
I feel blessed to have grown up in an age when such beauty at so many locales was readily available. Moviegoing then was an experience.