McHugh Construction has completed the $30 million adaptive reuse transformation of Chicago’s historic Ramova Theatre from a long-shuttered single-screen cinema to an 1,800-person concert hall in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood.
As part of the 36,000-square-foot project at 3510-3520 S. Halsted St., McHugh also built out space for Other Half Brewing, an independent craft brewery and taproom; Ramova Grill, an 18-seat diner; and Ramova Loft, a second-floor 200-person event venue.
Ramova Theatre originally opened at the tail end of the Roaring Twenties and quickly became the jewel of the Bridgeport neighborhood with its neon red marquee and Spanish-inspired architecture. However, decades later ticket sales slowed, leading to Ramova’s closure in 1985. After sitting dormant for nearly 40 years, Ramova’s historical and artistic significance was officially recognized with its addition to the National Register of Historic Places in 2021; the same year McHugh embarked on the building’s restoration.
For more than two years, McHugh Construction worked closely with project architect O’Riley Office, Baum Revision and historic preservation specialists to meticulously restore the ornate architectural details in Ramova’s original Spanish courtyard-style lobby and auditorium.
Revived are the pale-yellow stucco-style walls, red-notched archways and columns, decorative bronze wrought-iron faux windows and balconies, a clay-tile roof line and a ceiling painted midnight blue – all evoking the beautiful and inviting hacienda ambiance, just like the day Ramova opened in 1929.
Gone are the velvety movie theater seats. In their place is a 22,000-square-foot barrier-free multi-level concrete floor in front of an expansive stage. While rows of spotlights hang from the ceiling, casting multi-colored glows throughout the concert hall, the venue’s new speaker system amplifies the onstage vocals and instruments, connecting artists with the audience. Multiple bars were installed in the back of the auditorium and a second-floor balcony was revived to offer clear views of the stage.
With an eye to attracting big-name performers, Ramova’s new greenroom is worthy of any A-lister, with four separate suites – each with full baths – and an office for tour managers to conduct business, noted Nevius. To protect artists from paparazzi and unauthorized personnel, McHugh created direct paths for touring vehicles to arrive, unload equipment and privately access the greenroom and performance area.
That required McHugh and its subcontractor teams to draw on decades of historic restoration experience to conceal state-of-the-art HVAC, electrical, sound and fire protection systems within the early 20th century fabric of the theater building. McHugh also tapped its in-house structural engineering team, McHugh Engineering Group, for expertise on structural modifications and additions to historic and complex structures.
Staying true to its mission as a neighborhood gathering place, Ramova Loft, the 200-person venue on the second floor above the brewery and taproom, offers space for smaller performances by up-and-coming artists as well as events for local schools and community groups. The parking lot across the street from the building can also be used for community events such as farmers markets, and the empty lot adjacent to the south side of Ramova has been reimagined as a new outdoor beer garden.
The renovated Ramova Theatre grand opened on Dec. 31, 2023, with a 1920s-themed live performance of music and dancing to ring in the new year. The glitzy marquee once again lit up Halsted and 35th streets, and the auditorium’s atmosphere transplanted revelers to a grand Andalusian patio.
The adaptive reuse project was funded by investments from the local populace, tax-increment financing subsidies from the city of Chicago, a state grant, and a Historic Places loan. McHugh drew on its years of experience in Chicago public-private projects, such as 43 Green and 508 Pershing at Oakwood Shores in Bronzeville as well as Ogden Commons in Douglas Park, to ensure the renovation’s success for all parties.
