Balaban and Katz Chicago Theatre
Also known as: The Chicago Theatre
Why it's listed
Opened on October 26, 1921, this seven-story movie palace at 175 N. State Street in Chicago's Loop was built for the Balaban and Katz theatre chain at a cost of $4,000,000. Architects Rapp and Rapp modeled the cream-colored terra cotta front on the Arc de Triomphe, and a five-story vertical CHICAGO sign and an ornate 1949 marquee remain. Inside, a Louis XIV-themed grande lobby leads to an auditorium seating roughly 3,900 people beneath a 110-foot dome. Renovations in 1932-33 and 1949-50 changed many interior finishes, and the later work replaced the original light fixtures and furnishings. The theatre is described as the largest and grandest of the early deluxe movie palaces and the only one of that early group still standing. It was also the first deluxe theatre built for movies in downtown Chicago, and it reflects the rise of Balaban and Katz as the city's dominant film exhibitor.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the largest, most costly and grandest of the early super deluxe movie palaces, and the only one of those early grand houses still standing. It was the first deluxe theatre built for movies in downtown Chicago. It is also tied to the Balaban and Katz chain, which came to dominate Chicago film exhibition.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79000822, listed June 6, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 175 N. State St., Chicago |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | June 6, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79000822 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | C. E. & George L. Rapp (Rapp and Rapp) |
| Areas of significance | Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture, Social History, Performing Arts |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, in good condition, altered, and on its original site. Lobbies and lounges were remodeled in 1949-50, while the auditorium and stage largely survive. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Loop Retail Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.88553, -87.62728 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79000822.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q642866
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.