Ramova Theater - Chicago, IL
Posted by: libbykc
N 41° 49.808 W 087° 38.757
16T E 446361 N 4631118
This vintage theater on South Halsted Street is currently vacant but a restoration is planned.
Waymark Code: WM13E8G
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 11/21/2020
Views: 1
The Ramova opened in 1929 as a south side companion theater to the north side's Music Box (which is still open). The architect was Meyer O. Nathan.
According to the website Cinema Treasures, "Like the smaller Music Box Theater, which seats about half as many as the 1,500-seat Ramova Theater, both were designed in Atmospheric style inside, their auditoriums built to resemble Spanish-courtyards. On the deep blue ceiling of the Ramova Theater, “stars” glittered before each movie, and through the archways along the side walls were scenes of the Spanish countryside. Like the Music Box’s lobby, the blue sky with stars motif also continued into the ceiling. Faux-marble and gilded plasterwork were also in abundance, even more so than at the Music Box Theater." (
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The Ramova has been vacant since 1986, but an effort to restore it into a music venue has garnered significant support from residents of the surrounding Bridgeport neighborhood. (
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This article has extensive pictures of the state of the interior: (
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