Double Door Theater receives Adopt-A-Landmark grant

The Double Door Theater redevelopment has received $125,000 in Adopt-A-Landmark grant funding. Built in 1909 in the Classical Revival style, the historic Wilson Theater at 1050 W. Wilson was converted into a bank in the 1920s and was used as a bank until 2011. 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 $125,000 grant will help cover the window and masonry component of the $9.9 million conversion. With permits already issued, the development can move forward once full financing is in place.