Interior of the Riviera Theatre, Broadway near Lawrence

Before it was a popular northside concert venue, the Riviera was a theatre in every sense of the word. From Cinema Treasures: Initially the Riviera was to have been operated by the Jones, Linick & Schaefer chain, which operated several Loop movie houses in the 10s and 20s such as the Orpheum, the Rialto, and the McVickers. However, the Riviera ended up becoming the second major theater of the Balaban & Katz circuit. ... Featuring movies accompanied by an orchestra, the Riviera also featured “high class” musical acts onstage. The theater mainly catered to the upper-middle class residents of the Uptown area, especially women. [It]continued to remain one of the neighborhood’s most popular movie houses for decades, even once the 4500-seat Uptown Theatre practically next door.

4419 N. Racine, Chicago, 1984

Currently on eBay: 290602768716

Matchbook from the Leland Hotel, Leland and Racine, Uptown Chicago

A downtown hotel in the art of Uptown!

To see historic images of the Leland Hotel that we posted back in 2007, go to: Leland Hotel

Goldblatts by Night, Uptown Chicago, circa 1990s

Thanks to a Facebook fan for the head's up on these! Goldblatts building (now Borders) during the 1990s. Images by cbnight on Flickr.

Storm Damage at 4534 Racine, Uptown, Chicago, 1963

Based on the address, I think these homes were located under what is now Truman College, just south of Wilson.

According to Wikipedia: Amundsen High School hosted a night school offering two-year college programming for the North Side of Chicago in 1956. This was the result of community outcry for a two-year college for the economically ailing community areas north of downtown Chicago. Interested in a more permanent situation for the program, community leaders acquired a former elementary school campus in 1961 and enrolled 4,000 students in day and night classes. Further growth led to the construction of its present campus on West Wilson Avenue, opening its doors in 1976, naming the school after U.S. President Truman.

Fun Fact: Truman College was featured in the 2002 movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding written by and starring Nia Vardalos.

Purchase original image here:  4500 Block of Racine, Uptown

Wilson Avenue, Uptown Chicago, 1963

The deterioration of the Uptown District of Chicago in 1963. The photo is a scene on Wilson Ave. in the heart of the Uptown district between Magnolia and Racine. It shows 9 taverns or liquor stores and mostly vacant business offices and store fronts. You can purchase 8x10 prints of this scene from here: Wilson Avenue, 1963

Windy City Ribfest, Uptown Chicago, and a Historic View of Uptown Square

windy city ribfest
Originally uploaded by kevin_byrne

It's great to see Uptown's streets full of people enjoying themselves! The top image was taken last weekend at Windy City Ribfest 2010 by Flickr user Kevin Byrne, shared here through the site's "Blog This" feature. It's been about 15 or 20 years since Uptown has hosted a similar street festival.

Uptown Square used to be a frequent gathering place for the neighborhood's residents. The vintage photo below, from the Chicago Daily News negatives collection, shows a similar scene in Uptown Square as residents await the election results in 1920.

Here's the original caption:

View of a crowd at North Broadway and West Lawrence Avenue in the Uptown community area of Chicago, Illinois, watching election returns on the night of Nov. 4, 1920. The returns are projected on a large screen stretched above the crowd. DN-0009882, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society, Library of Congress

Sheridan Park Hotel, 4631 Racine (formerly Pemberton Ave) Uptown Chicago

Stretches of what is now Racine Ave. were once known as Pemberton Ave.. The Sheridan Park Hotel was at 4631.

Here is the location today, courtesy Google Street Views:


View Larger Map

Lawrence, Racine and Broadway, with Riviera Building and Theatre, Uptown Chicago

While the original painting has been sold, you can visit artist Nancie King Mertz's site for information on where to purchase Riviera Redo as a print.

Hotel Melbourne, 4625 N. Racine

From Santa Fe Magazine, 1922.

Located in the best residential section of Uptown Chicago, this carefully operated hotel of medium size provides every feature of comfort, convenience and service. Wilson Avenue Elevated, Broadway Surface Cars, Motor Busses. Good garage accommodations. Every room in the Melbourne is equipped with a private bath. Rates: One person, $3 to $3.50 per day. Two persons, $4 to $5 per day. Harry Winder, Proprieter; Avery G. Warren, Manager.

Lobby, Hotel Melbourne, 4625 Racine

Original caption: View of a man standing behind the registration desk in the lobby of the Hotel Melbourne, located at 4625 North Racine in the Uptown community area of Chicago, Illinois. Cite as: DN-0082085, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society.

For an exterior view, go to Hotel Melbourne.

Goldblatt's Uptown Chicago - Broadway & Lawrence

Goldblatt's Uptown Chicago - Broadway & Lawrence
Originally uploaded by Mark 2400

Another view of the building that now houses Borders. The clock was rescued from demolition by a local resident.

Image courtesy of Flickr. Click photo for larger view and more images by Mark 2400.

Goldblatt's Uptown Chicago - Broadway & Lawrence

Goldblatt's Uptown Chicago - Broadway & Lawrence
Originally uploaded by Mark 2400

If you're new to the neighborhood, you might not recognize the Borders Building in its previous incarnation. The building has also housed the Sheridan Trust Bank (before it moved across the street) and the Loren Miller Department Store.

Image courtesy Flicker. Click on photo for a larger view and more images by Mark 2400.

Hotel Holloway, 4611 Racine in Uptown Chicago

Hotel Holloway, 4611 Racine at Wilson, Uptown, Chicago. Below is the location today, courtesy Google Streetview:

Broadway Lawrence Racine, 1920

This image kind of reminds me of waiting for election results during the last aldermanic race!

Here we see the results of some election being projected onto the front of the Sheridan Trust Savings Bank (before it moved across the street into what is now the Bridgeview Bank building).


Original caption: View of a crowd at North Broadway and West Lawrence Avenue in the Uptown community area of Chicago, Illinois, watching election returns on the night of Nov. 4, 1920. The returns are projected on a large screen stretched above the crowd. DN-0009882, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society, Library of Congress

Sheridan Trust Lobby

Here's an interior scene of the lobby of the Sheridan Trust Bank when it was located in what is now the Borders Building. For an image of the exterior, go to the Cafe Press shop.

Hotel Lafayette, 4606 N. Racine (at Wilson)

Hotel Melbourne, 4625 N. Racine

Hotel Melbourne, 4625 N. Racine, Chicago.

Leland Hotel, Leland at Racine

1201-1213 W. Leland Avenue, at Racine

The six-story Leland Hotel opened for business in 1927. It was designed by the firm Dubin & Eisenberg, who were also responsible for designing the beautiful synagogue for the Agudas Achim North Shore Congregation on Kenmore near Argyle. At the time, the Leland had 205 rooms with weekly rates of $15 per week. In the mid-1900s it was converted into apartments, and over the years fell into serious neglect and decay. By the end of the century, many units were completely uninhabitable and the Leland was at risk for demolition.

Heartland Housing purchased the building in 2000. Nearly $15 million was raised to restore the facade and renovate the interior, with funding coming from state and federal tax credits, grants, and TIF money. The renovation, completed by Joseph Freed and Associates, created 4000 square feet of commercial retail space and 137 units of affordable housing, including studios and one-bedroom apartments. Sixteen percent of the units are compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act. The Leland Apartments are on the National Register of Historic Places.