City Council approves $5 million in TIF for Double Door Theater at 1050 W. Wilson

The Chicago City Council has approved $5 million in TIF funding for the Double Door Theater redevelopment at 1050 W. Wilson. Built in 1909 in the Classical Revival style, the historic Wilson Theater was converted into a bank in the 1920s and was used as a bank until 2012. Planned by Double Down Development, the building is poised to return to its original theater use.

With Barker Nestor on board for the design, the building will undergo repairs to the existing limestone facade. The arched storefront window system and entrance doors will be replaced, and all new glass will be vision glass. On the interior, new walls, equipment, finishes, and mechanicals will be installed to accommodate the new venue.

For signage, the building will get a new 17-foot-tall blade sign with halo-lit letters and incandescent lights, reminiscent of the original blade sign. A new marquee will protrude over the entrance, spanning the inset center section of the facade. The marquee will feature a white backlit sign with individual black letters. On the underside, socket-style lights will harken back to the original historic marquee of the building. 

The $10.4 million development will be funded with $1.6 million in equity, $3.6 million in lender financing, $125,000 from an Adopt-A-Landmark grant, and $5 million in TIF funding.

With funding approved by City Council, the project is another step closer to coming to fruition. Permits for the renovation have already been issued, so construction should be due to commence in the near future.