O'Riley Office is proud to be announced as a Cultural Project FINALIST in AIA Chicago’s Lerch Bates People’s Choice Awards, presented in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Center, for the Ramova Theatre project.
To see other Cultural Project finalists, and to vote for your favorite, click here.
To see finalist in all categories, click here.
Ramova Theatre Press: Premier Hospitality International →
A significant part of Chicago's Bridgeport neighbourhood's history, the formerly run down but loved Ramova Theatre has undergone a truly magnificent restoration and refurbishment throughout, re-establishing its place as a source of pride and enjoyment for the local community for decades to come.
Read MoreRamova Theatre Press: Interior Design Magazine →
When the Ramova movie theater was built in 1929 by Myer O. Nathan, it was the South Side of Chicago’s main first-run cinema. Even though it sat empty since 1985, it was in better shape than its continuously occupied commercial building next door, recalls Illinois-born, Chicago-based architect Dan O’Riley. The O’Riley Office founder knows this well, as he’s been studying how to revive the site since 2017. Some seven years later, he has completed what’s now called the Ramova Theatre, a 36,000-square-foot entertainment complex—a $30 million endeavor achieved by a passionate band of locals.
Read MoreRamova Theatre Press: Chicago Sun Times
A great article about the Ramova Theater project by David Roeder.
Ramova Theatre Press: Chicago Tribune
A great article about the status of the Ramova Theater project, by Ariel Cheung
Ramova Theatre
Chicago, IL. (November 19th, 2019) – Today Our Revival Chicago, LLC announced its plan to resurrect and redevelop the long-dormant Ramova Theater and Ramova Grill on South Halsted Street. The announcement came at community meeting led by Alderman Patrick Thompson where the developer detailed the redevelopment plan and its broader vision for the project’s role in the community.
The project will include a live music and entertainment venue with a capacity for 1,600 people, an on-site brewery, and The Ramova Grill, all bringing a mix of world class entertainment experiences and community focused programming. The Ramova will offer an impressive set of live performances, closely planned community events, and world class food and beer to create a new gathering place for The South Side. As Chef Kevin Hickey, of the Our Revival team, explains, “The Ramova Project re-imagines two beloved institutions, The Ramova Theatre and Grill, both sorely missed in the central business and residential district of Chicago ‘s iconic south side neighborhood of Bridgeport.”
Our Revival’s broader team consists of leaders from their respective fields of hospitality, finance and entertainment. Tyler Nevius, project developer for The Ramova, is a military veteran, senior executive in the entertainment space, and a Chicagoan. Bridgeport native and Michelin star chef Kevin Hickey, in collaboration with Brandon Phillips, both of The Duck Inn, will be overseeing the food and beverage programming for The Ramova and The Ramova Grill. While not yet officially announced, other members of the Ramova team include a world class brewer and an entertainment team that are expected to be well-received by Bridgeport and the broader Chicago market.
With several important City approvals still to be had, the Ramova team hopes to begin development in early 2020 and open doors in 2021. “Between the operating team we’ve brought together and diverse, local investors that will be supporting the project, we’re extremely optimistic about the opportunity this will bring to the City,” remarked Nevius. “We are taking a community focused approach, and we know the best is yet to come.”
Our Revival Contact: Tyler Nevius at Tyler@ourrevivalchicago.com