Beautiful Theatre in Jefferson Park

by Cecilia Kleiner 10/11/2022

 

Recently we attended an event at the beautiful Copernicus Center.

The Copernicus Center was formerly known as the Gateway Theatre.

The theatre opened in the summer of 1930. It was a 2,000 seat movie palace.

The Copernicus Foundation purchased the Gateway in 1979. The theater has been renamed the Mitchell P. Kobelinski Theater after one of the center’s founders.

The original interior of the auditorium was restored and has remained mostly unchanged, while the surrounding building has been converted into offices and event spaces. In 1985, the "Solidarity Tower" was erected and the exterior was renovated to resemble the Royal Castle in Warsaw, Poland.

We were amazed to see all the hand painted custom designs on the walls and ceilings. You can see the artist was definitely influenced by the Italian Renaissance. So much craftsmanship and hard work went into it.

The Copernicus Center is located at 5216 W. Lawrence Avenue. The former Gateway Theater was designed by architect Mason Rapp of the prestigious firm of Rapp and Rapp, famous for their design of deluxe theaters in Chicago, and throughout the United States. 

Today, the theatre is used for a wide variety of programs, such as; Musical concerts, plays, athletic competitions, seminars, dance recitals, children's plays, choir competitions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(photo courtesy of Theatre Historical Society of America)
About the Author
Author

Cecilia Kleiner

Your Trusted Resource for Real Estate

@properties shares my commitment to offering the most comprehensive and professional marketing, sophisticated technology, and expert market knowledge, supporting the highest standards of service and representation you expect and deserve. With local leadership and national and international reach, I bring results to clients wherever their buying and selling goals take them. I'd love to assist you. Whether you're in the research phase at the beginning of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.  

I appreciate and welcome your inquiry, real estate need, or referral!