You’ve probably seen it driving through the Six Corners shopping district in Northwest Chicago. That massive, slightly weathered marquee jutting out over Milwaukee Avenue. It’s the Portage Theater, and honestly, it’s one of the most polarizing pieces of real estate in the city. Depending on who you ask, it’s either a neglected masterpiece or a giant concrete headache that just won’t die.
It's huge.
Built in 1920, the Portage didn't start as the movie house most people remember. It was actually the flagship for the Ascher Brothers’ circuit. Back then, "movie palaces" weren't just places to see a film; they were temples of excess. We’re talking about 2,000 seats, ornate plasterwork, and a level of grandeur that makes modern AMC multiplexes look like sterile hospital waiting rooms. But if you walk by it today, the doors are locked. The windows are dark. It's a ghost.
The strange history of the Portage Theater in Chicago
Most people assume these old theaters just "went out of business" because of Netflix or whatever. That’s a oversimplification. The Portage Theater actually survived way longer than its peers by being incredibly adaptable. In the 1940s, Sears, Roebuck & Co. was the king of the neighborhood, and the theater was the heart of a booming middle-class commercial hub.
Then things got weird in the 80s.
The theater was split. They literally divided the auditorium into a twin-screen setup. It was a common move for the era, but it usually guts the architectural soul of the building. Somehow, the Portage kept its bones. By the 2000s, it became the home of the Silent Film Society of Chicago. This was a golden era for the place. You could go in on a Tuesday and watch a 1920s masterpiece with live organ accompaniment on the original Kimball pipe organ. It felt like time travel.
Dennis Wolkowicz, a guy who basically dedicated his life to the place, ran it with a sort of gritty, DIY passion. It wasn't perfect. The heat was finicky. The seats were old. But it was alive.
The Eddie Carranza Era
Things took a sharp turn around 2012. A guy named Eddie Carranza, who already owned the Congress Theater, bought the Portage. If you know Chicago theater history, you know the Congress was a mess of building code violations and liquor license drama. Naturally, the Northwest Side neighbors freaked out.
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Local alderman John Arena got involved. There were public meetings that felt more like shouting matches. The community was terrified the Portage would become a rowdy EDM club instead of a neighborhood cinema. Carranza eventually lost his liquor license for the Congress, and the drama spilled over into the Portage. The theater went dark. Then it reopened. Then it went dark again. It was exhausting for anyone who just wanted to see a movie.
Why the Portage Theater matters to Chicago architecture
Architecturally, the Portage is a bit of a freak. It was designed by Newhouse & Bernham. While most theaters of that time were going for "Atmospheric" styles—think the Avalon or the Gateway—the Portage is a blend of Beaux-Arts and something a bit more classical.
It’s about the scale.
The lobby isn't just a hallway; it’s a transitional space meant to make you feel small. When you enter the auditorium, the ceiling seems to disappear into the shadows. Even when the paint is peeling, you can see the craftsmanship in the terracotta and the intricate molding. It was designated a Chicago Landmark in 2013, which is both a blessing and a curse.
- The Blessing: It can't be torn down for a Walgreens.
- The Curse: Any renovation costs five times as much because you have to follow strict historical guidelines.
You can't just slap some drywall over a hole in a landmarked building. You need specialists. You need permits that take years to clear. You need a mountain of cash that most independent owners simply don't have.
The Six Corners Problem
The theater sits at the intersection of Milwaukee, Irving Park, and Cicero. This is "Six Corners." For decades, this area was the second busiest shopping district in Chicago outside of the Loop. Then it collapsed. Sears closed. The hole in the ground where the old Point at Six Corners was supposed to be stayed a hole for years.
Without a thriving street life, a 2,000-seat theater is an island. You need people walking by. You need bars and restaurants where people can go after a show. For a long time, the Portage was surrounded by empty storefronts. It’s hard to justify a multi-million dollar renovation when the neighborhood feels like it's in stasis.
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The Current State of Affairs (2024-2026)
So, where are we now? As of lately, the Portage is still in a state of "coming soon." It has been caught in a cycle of optimistic press releases followed by months of silence.
The current ownership has floated several plans. Some involve keeping the theater as a live music venue, while others suggest a multi-use space. The problem is always the same: the building needs massive infrastructure upgrades. We're talking HVAC systems that don't sound like jet engines and electrical wiring that won't catch fire if you plug in a guitar amp.
Recent developments in the Six Corners area have actually been pretty promising. The new Clarendale Senior Living building is finished. The Aldi is open. The massive "Sears" redevelopment into luxury apartments is actually happening. This is the first time in thirty years that the Portage is surrounded by new residents with disposable income.
But the theater remains the "missing piece."
Is it a "Fixer Upper" or a Money Pit?
Honestly, it's both. To get the Portage Theater back to its 1920 glory, you’re looking at an investment in the tens of millions. Most developers look at those numbers and run away. The only way these places survive nowadays is through a combination of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds, historical tax credits, and a developer who views the project as a legacy piece rather than a quick flip.
The Music Box Theater in Lakeview is the gold standard for how this works, but the Music Box never had to deal with the level of structural neglect that the Portage has seen. The Portage is much larger and much more expensive to maintain.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Portage
There’s a common myth that the city "shut it down" because they hate fun. That’s not really it. The city actually wants the theater open because it brings in tax revenue. The issue has always been a toxic mix of management failures and the sheer cost of meeting safety codes.
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Another misconception? That it’s "falling down."
Structurally, the Portage is a tank. It was built to last centuries. The "decay" people see is mostly cosmetic—water damage to plaster, peeling paint, and dusty carpets. The bones are fine. It just needs a "heart transplant" in the form of modern mechanical systems.
What You Can Actually Do If You Care About the Theater
If you’re someone who hates seeing these old palaces sit empty, there are actually things you can do besides complaining on Reddit.
- Support the neighbors: Patronize the businesses that are actually open at Six Corners. If the area is profitable, the theater becomes a much more attractive investment for a serious developer.
- Follow the NW Chicago Historical Society: These guys are the real deal. They keep records of every hearing, every permit, and every change in ownership. They are the frontline for preserving the neighborhood's identity.
- Voice your opinion to the 45th Ward Office: Whether you want it to be a movie house, a concert hall, or a community center, let the alderman know. Local government has a huge say in what happens with those landmark permits.
Actionable Next Steps for Enthusiasts
If you want to experience the spirit of the Portage without waiting for the doors to unlock, check out the Music Box Theatre or the Old Town School of Folk Music. They operate on the same "vibe" that the Portage used to have.
Keep an eye on the Chicago Department of Planning and Development website. They post public records of any TIF requests or landmark alterations. If you see "Portage Theater" pop up on a meeting agenda, that's your signal that something is finally moving.
The reality is that the Portage Theater is a sleeping giant. It has survived the decline of vaudeville, the rise of television, the death of the American department store, and a decade of legal limbo. It’s still standing. That alone is a miracle in a city that usually prefers to tear things down and build glass boxes.
Don't expect it to open next week. But don't count it out either. When that marquee finally lights up again—and it eventually will—it’ll be the biggest comeback story in the history of the Northwest Side.
For now, we wait. We watch the updates. We hope the next owner has deeper pockets and more patience than the last one. The Portage isn't just a building; it's the anchor of a neighborhood trying to remember who it is. If Six Corners is going to thrive again, it needs its crown jewel back in the display case.
Source References:
- Chicago Landmarks Commission reports (2013)
- Cinema Treasures database: Portage Theater (Entry #927)
- Silent Film Society of Chicago archives
- City of Chicago TIF district filings for the Northwest Side