This century-old Chicago theater could reopen next year after being closed for a decade—but it needs your help

A historic Chicago landmark is finally set to stage a comeback. After sitting vacant for years and being named one of Illinois' most endangered historic sites in 2024, the 106-year-old Portage Theater at 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave. is set to undergo a major restoration aimed at reopening its doors within a year.

The historic venue was acquired last fall by Chris Bauman’s Zenith Music Group. Bauman organized events at the venue from 2014 to 2018. To bring the Portage Park mainstay back to life, he's launching a nonprofit foundation with an initial goal of raising $3 million for repairs, followed by phased modernizations over time.

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First opened in 1920 as a grand movie palace, the Portage Theater served as a gathering place for filmgoers, later evolving to host concerts, silent film screenings, live performances and local events. The new restoration plan focuses on honoring that legacy while updating the space for modern audiences.

The first priority is repairing the iconic exterior marquee, which currently suffers from structural damage; work on the metal and brickwork is slated to begin within 30 to 60 days. Fortunately, interior damage is largely cosmetic. Planned upgrades include expanding the restroom facilities from eight stalls to 24 (plus an ADA-accessible family bathroom), adding dedicated green rooms, installing decorative lighting to highlight the auditorium’s ornate ceiling designs and creating a music-themed bar in an adjacent storefront. The project will also add custom walk-of-fame stars in the lobby honoring sold-out artists.

Once completed, the venue will boast a capacity of roughly 1,499. Bauman envisions a dynamic mix of uses, ranging from concerts and film screenings to indoor markets, local theater and broad community programming.

To achieve this vision, the foundation is actively seeking public support, offering perks like personalized entry tiles, custom marquee messages and collectible certificates for donors, while also welcoming volunteers to assist with fundraising and cleanup. Head over to portagetheaterfoundation.org to help the cause!