Bank of America Theatre / Majestic Hotel

Opportunity: A partnership between Broadway-in-Chicago, Northern Realty Group, and First Hospitality Group sought to renovate the Shubert (now Bank of America) Theatre and convert the Majestic office building above the theatre to a new Hampton Inn Hotel.

Solution: A defining element of the renovation was the discovery and restoration of details obscured over time including an ornate lobby vestibule with intricate moldings, and a dramatic plaster ceiling in the lobby and auditorium. While the Theatre has been restored to its classical grandeur, its mechanical functionality is entirely new. Inside the theatre, new seats were installed, aisles were reconfigured, and the slope of the orchestra level was adjusted for improved sight lines. The new Theatre marquee and façade, restored in a rigorous process involving over 1,400 recast terra cotta panels, radiates the energy and excitement of the original building.

Value: The restoration was recognized in 2006 with the prestigious Chicago Landmark Award for Preservation Excellence, following the Majestic Building’s recognition as a Chicago Landmark in 2005.