HISTORICAL Restoration at Chicago Theatre

…more artistic musings

Architects C.W. & Geo. L Rapp designed the CHICAGO THEATER, a Beaux-Arts Revival Building, in 1921. It was originally designed to be a fantasy motion picture palace. It was the very first of its kind in the nation and as the oldest surviving in Chicago it is the highlight of the city’s guided bus tours. In addition, guided tours of this historical landmark are given twice a week at noon.

Restoration to Chicago Theatre occurred when several of the original faux marbled counters had been redesigned, moved or lowered to either help with the flow of traffic in the area proper or to accommodate the new city ordinances. Classical Decorative Arts recreated and matched these improvements to existing marble that had been original to the building in 1921.

 

August 25

I was originally hired through a third party several years ago to work in the entry of the Theatre and the assignment has since grown. While the project’s location remains in the lobby of the building I have been contacted to return to either maintain or add to the initial work.

The Theatre has had several owners since I first began working on the entry lobby concession counters. Consequently, several of the originally faux marbled counters have been redesigned, moved or lowered to either help with the flow of traffic in the lobby or to accommodate new ordinances.

August 25

Arrived 9:30.

As parking has been provided for us in a private area to the south of the Theatre there is no stress over Chicago’s high parking prices or the new meter rates (if I could even find one).

After we unpacked the equipment (stool with wheels) and supplies Dave primed the area a med grey latex primer. While he completed that task I began filling in all the nicks and holes to the trim that had been created after the carpenter modified the concession counter.

Once the primer was dry a dark blue red acrylic was applied to the area. This too had to dry because of the painting that was going on top so it was decided that it would be a good time for a lunch break short break (I know, I know once you view the area in question you’ll be saying we just were getting started. But what can I say?)

Making sure that the base color was completely dry I began to marbleize the counter. I needed to match work that had been previously painted years ago. Not in my style and surely not how I would have chosen to represent RED LAVANTO RAI an Italian Marble. Regardless, good or bad the newly executed faux marble needed to match and marry with the old. So I decided to compromise the painting execution. The areas that met matched and the areas that didn’t, I created my own blend.

The rendering of the veins dried quickly. However, the holes in the bead trim needed more attention so we couldn’t varnish just yet. Also, word came down from management asking us to repair some areas that needed attention with the real marble in the lobby.

Back to the art supply story to sort out our new supply needs and what would be required to actually fill in damaged areas of real marble. Only after we returned from this shopping trip did the newly painted faux marble get the first of two protective topcoats. A return trip would be needed to apply the second and final coat of varnish.

Done for the day by 4:30 pm. I LOVE MY JOB!