Chatham / South Shore

Avalon Regal Theater

1645 E. 79th St.

Commercial

  • Favorite

  • Add to Itinerary

  • Directions

  • Share

Saturday

10am - 5pm

Sunday

10am - 5pm

Accessibility & Amenities

  • Photography Allowed
  • Wheelchair Accessible

Architect

John Eberson, Margaret T. Fairman, Charles Morgan

Year Completed

1927

DETAILS:

This 2,500-seat auditorium opened in 1927 as the Avalon Theater. It was renamed in 1987 as a tribute to the original Regal Theater in Bronzeville, which was demolished in 1973. The atmospheric Moorish Revival design by John Eberson was similar to that of the Paradise Theater on Chicago's west side, which was demolished in the 1950s. Aside from holding an election night party to celebrate Barack Obama's presidential victory in 2008, the theater has been vacant and mostly unused since 2003. A mural on the exterior of the building includes the likenesses of many famous jazz and blues musicians associated with the Regal Theater, including Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. The building was designated a Chicago Landmark in 1992.

VISITOR EXPERIENCE:

Volunteer-led guided tours will be offered to visitors.

Explore the Neighborhood Area

Neighborhood map image

3 Sites

Chatham / South Shore