Granada Theatre (Chicago)

The Granada Theatre, 6427-41 North Sheridan Road (in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago) was a movie theater constructed for the Marks Brothers, who, in 1926, were major theatre operators in Chicago. Edward E. Eichenbaum was the principal designer for the architectural firm of Levy & Klein. Eichenbaum also designed the Marbro, Regal, and Century theatres.^[1]

The Marks Brothers operated the theatre until 1934, when Balaban and Katz purchased the theatre. That firm and its successors—United Paramount Theatres, ABC Great States Theatres and Plitt Theatres—operated the theatre until about 1978. From then until the mid-eighties, it was used sporadically for rock concerts and played the Rocky Horror Picture Show at midnight for several years.

Despite all attempts to save it, the theatre was purchased by Senior Life Styles Corporation, who demolished the building in 1989-90 for a planned apartment/commercial structure.^[1]

The new 16 story apartment tower and shopping arcade constructed in the early 1990s was originally named "Granada Center". Granada Center was eventually purchased by Loyola University. There are 12 floors of student apartments over a base of retail and university offices.

Archival materials, including photographs taken by the "Save Granada Theatre Committee" are held by the Ryerson & Burnham Libraries at the Art Institute of Chicago.