By Rick Romano
The current work to reimagine the Ramova Theatre is the coming attraction to a sequel for the iconic Bridgeport movie house that has entertained generations at 35th and Halsted Streets.
This time, the building’s story will focus on live entertainment, food, and drink. Developers and community supporters said they expect the cherished neighborhood center to return—this time with a bigger footprint and sights aimed at attracting a wider market—by late 2022.
In mid-October, developers and the City held a formal groundbreaking for the $28 million project, an event delayed by more than a year due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
A long time coming
Built in 1929, the Ramova’s name means “peaceful place” in Lithuanian, a reflection of that large population in the area at that time. Considered a sister to the Music Box Theatre in Chicago’s Lake View community, architects styled the Ramova’s interior to resemble Spanish courtyards, complete with deep blue ceilings featuring stars that would glimmer prior to each movie.
That atmospheric style ended in 1985, when the theater shut down after showing its last film, Police Academy 2.
The years passed, with the City eventually buying the property for $285,000 in 2001 to keep the previous owner from razing it. Efforts over two decades failed to find a developer to rescue the cinema from its ongoing deterioration.
In 2020, however, the City sold the property for $1 to Tyler Nevius, a developer with a sports entertainment background. Nevius partnered with Duck Inn owner and chef Kevin Hickey to develop an adjoining Ramova Grill to revive the diner’s predecessor, which also previously closed.
Nevius said the complex will be supported by a dedicated 60-unit surface parking lot across from the intersection of Halsted Street and 35th Place. In addition, he expects to rent local church and school lot space for parking, as needed.
Developer and project profiles
Nevius and Hickey came to the Ramova project from different perspectives.
“I’ve lived in a lot of places, and I love Chicago,” Nevius said. “My wife and I always discussed making an impact. Entertainment and craft beer have always been my interest. Even with this property being in pretty bad shape for years, I knew it was the right size. I saw this as an opportunity to combine all that.”
That opportunity also came with the building being in a TIF (tax-increment financing) district expected to provide more than $6.5 million to the project. The developer must repay $100,000 in interest over the first three years, with the City forgiving principal and remaining interest after ten years if the developer meets compliance requirements.
The developers expect that, when refurbished, the Ramova will hold close to 1,700 attendees in the live theater space with an adjoining brewery and restaurant.
The music venue also will double as a space for community groups and schools lacking auditorium facilities, Nevius said.
Hickey is a lifelong Bridgeport resident who established the Duck Inn restaurant at 2701 S. Eleanor St.
“I remember going to the Ramova years ago when they showed movies for 50 cents or a dollar,” he said. “I could walk to it. I remember everything right down to the sticky floors.”
Hickey’s diner project focuses on recreating the adjoining space with a classic 1950s-style diner vibe. He plans to bring back the chili that became a favorite at the previous next-door restaurant and add American classics such as cheeseburgers, corn dogs, and other comfort food. He also will add a cocktail space featuring egg creams and other classic specialties.
Construction process
“At this stage, we are doing preliminary and exploratory work and taking soil samples,” said Andy Totten, vice president and project executive at McHugh Construction. He said the work will join three separate buildings divided by gangways that front onto Halsted Street.
“The ornamental details of the original theater will be preserved and restored as much as possible,” Totten said. “Construction will include everything that is needed to provide a modern musical performance, complete with enhanced acoustics and the necessary technology.”
Community support
Maureen Sullivan spearheaded an effort to save the Ramova starting years ago when she saw crews razing other nearby buildings.
“No matter what side of the area you were from or your ethnicity or whether you were working class or not, the theater brought everyone together,” Sullivan said. “The Ramova was meant to be saved. She’s a tough bird.”
South Loop Chamber of Commerce personnel including executive director Ginger O’Malley and Colleen Mancari of her staff said they are excited for the new business venture.
“I remember seeing the Beatles movie there—Help—when I was in grammar school,” Mancari said. “It’s going to be good for the neighborhood.”
O’Malley agreed, saying, “People have such great memories. We are very excited about what it will bring to the business community as well as for the neighbors.”
Ald. Patrick Thompson (11th Ward) said he is happy Nevius and Hickey saw the Ramova project as a financial opportunity.
“It’s much more than that to this neighborhood and to the city,” Thompson said. “It’s very personal for a lot of people, and there is an emotional attachment.”
Historical Perspective
Though the Ramova will transform from a movie theater to a live performance venue, its rebirth will provide a similar important community function, said Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago.
“Whether a theater of that era is presenting a film or a live performance, it is meant to take people away from everyday life,” Miller said. “In 1929, theaters were meant to wow you with the architecture and other atmospheric details that put you in a different place. The lights go down, and you are entertained and taken to a different place or experience than everyday life. And then when the lights come back up you are wowed again.”
Miller said older theaters that have closed rarely come back.
The Ramova project “is a reason to celebrate because it’s the resurgence of a building down on its luck,” he said.
For Hickey and the Duck Inn, log on to https://theduckinnchicago.com or call (312) 724-8811. From McHugh Construction, log on to https://mchughconstruction.com. Contact Nevius on Twitter at @tylernevius. To reach the South Loop Chamber of Commerce, log on to www.southloopchamberofcommerce.com or call (773) 254-7225. For Thompson, log on to www.ward11.org or call (773) 254-6677.