Historic Portage Theater Revival: New Owner Plans Community Hub After Seven-Year Vacancy

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Portage Park · November 5, 2025

After sitting vacant for seven years, Portage Park's historic theater at Six Corners has a new owner with ambitious plans for revival. Chris Bauman, who founded Avondale Music Hall and is partial owner of the Patio Theater, has purchased the Portage Theater with plans to transform it into a vibrant community center.

Bauman envisions creating a diverse venue that will host concerts, film screenings, indoor markets, and various performances. "I want to offer things people who went there in the 1950s can see and be nostalgic about, but also things teenagers in the neighborhood can go to," Bauman said. The new owner plans to establish the Portage Theater Foundation, a nonprofit that would involve neighborhood groups in hosting events and maintaining the venue. He also intends to hold community meetings to gather input from residents about their vision for the space and will pursue historic preservation grants to help fund the restoration.

Residents interested in contributing ideas for the theater's future should watch for announcements of upcoming community meetings. The revival of this historic venue represents a significant milestone for Six Corners and promises to create a cultural anchor that will benefit the entire Portage Park community for generations to come.

Sources:
1. https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/24/historic-portage-theater-has-a-new-owner-who-plans-to-revive-it-as-a-community-space/