Congress Theater

The Congress Theater is a historic movie palace in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. Fridstein and Company designed it in 1926 for the movie theater operator Lubliner and Trinz. It features ornate exterior and interior design work in a combination of the Classical Revival and Italian Renaissance styles. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.

In its heyday, the Congress Theater could seat over 2,904 moviegoers. The theater block also had 17 retail storefronts with 56 apartments above. More recently, the theater operated as a 3,500-capacity live music venue.

For years the building was a common and popular concert venue. In April 2013, the theater was shut down and had its liquor license revoked due to numerous safety code violations.^[3] It was a source of controversy due to issues such as liquor violations, a notoriously tough security team, and lax building upkeep.^[4]

After over a decade of ownership changes and starts and stops to redevelopment plans, in February 2026 it was announced that all necessary financing and approvals for a complete renovation of the complex were in place, with construction to begin almost immediately and completion targeted in December, 2027.^[5]

• The theater was designated a Chicago Landmark on July 10, 2002.^[6]
• In May 2008, pop rock band Panic! At The Disco recorded the live album …Live In Chicago This album was the last album with guitarist Ryan Ross. The live album released in December
• In August 2008, rock band Paramore recorded a live CD/DVD titled The Final Riot! at the theater. It was released in November 2008 and it was awarded in US (Gold Album) and Canada (Platinum Album).
• On March 31, 2009, VH1 Storytellers recorded a segment on blues band ZZ Top at the Congress Theater; the show aired June 27, 2009, on VH1 Classic.
• As part of his 2012 New Year's Eve performance, producer/DJ Rusko shot the music video for hit single "Somebody to Love", released via Diplo's Mad Decent record label.^[7]
• In 2013 the owner, Eddie Carranza, defaulted on a $4 million loan and the venue was shut down by the City for multiple code and safety violations. In 2014 Carranza announced a plan to sell the theater to developer Michael Moyer,[4] who intended to spend $65 million restoring the building.
• In 2021, Baum Revision took over ownership of the Congress Theater and in early 2024, the Chicago City Council approved a redevelopment agreement, with related construction of residential units on N Rockwell Street and Milwaukee Avenue. The budget was a reported $88 million, including $27 million in Tax Increment Funding and $6.2 million in tax abatement over 12 years.[6][7] The developer intended to substantially rehabilitate the approximately 160,000-square-foot (15,000 m²) Theater Property into a 4,900 seat music venue with the addition of an approximately 30-room boutique hotel; the addition of approximately 14 affordable residential rental units; and approximately 16,000 square feet (1,500 m²) of ground floor restaurant/retail commercial space. The agreement included $8.85 million in tax increment financing funds.^[8]
• In early December, 2024, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks approved $6.2 million in Class L tax incentives for the first 12 years of project. Construction was slated to begin the first quarter of 2025, with completion by the end of 2026.^[9] The following week workmen began installing safety fencing on the roof in preparation for the first stage of restoration work to begin and a new exterior roof was installed.
• In February, 2026, the City obtained a redevelopment agreement for a $25 million U.S. Housing and Urban Development Section 108 Loan clearing the way for the project to go forward, starting in March 2026. Baum is slated to repay the loan and all costs over a 20 year period. The project includes 16 units of affordable housing and 13,000 square feet of commercial space targeted to local businesses and non-profit groups. The announced completion date is December, 2027.

• Storm lobby of the theater
• Jamiroquai performing at the Congress on October 30, 2005