11 Apr still a gem in the rough: exterior photographic survey of rapp and rapp’s spanish baroque style central park theater (1917)

recent exterior photographic survey of rapp and rapp’s spanish baroque style central park theater (1917), located at 3535 w. roosevelt road, chicago, il.

the polychrome terra cotta ornament was executed by the midland terra cotta company, chicago, il.

numerous terra cotta panels incorporate bare bulb sockets positioned within central openings, installed by the hub electric company of chicago using concealed conduits. when illuminated by hundreds of incandescent bulbs, the facade presented a striking and sophisticated appearance at night.

central park theater at 3531-39 w. roosevelt road in chicago was built in 1917 as the first balaban and katz theater, designed by rapp and rapp in spanish revival style.

it features two towers and red brick, and was the world’s first mechanically air-conditioned theater. the venue served both jewish and african-american communities.

converted to the house of prayer, church of god in christ in 1971, it remains a church. the theater was listed on the national register of historic places on august 10, 2005.

images courtesy of eric j. nordstrom and the bld. 51 archive. all rights reserved. 2026.