The Palace Theater (an abandoned and dilapidated building) that is a half block long, was recently sold by the City of Gary Redevelopment Department for $2,500. According to the Gary’s comprehensive plan, this building is slated for demolition. It has recently been revealed what is going to happen to this property. BWI Construction, an Indianapolis based company, is planning to build 251 housing units, named the “Palace Lofts.” This will include a first level commercial units with housing above. Plans are for the block-long façade to be restored.
The Palace Theater was a classic structure at 765 Broadway that featured live stage shows and vaudeville acts. Acts at the Palace could entertain up to 3,000 guests, seated on multiple levels. The Palace was luxurious, ornate, and brought a class to Gary not previously seen at the time. It has been abandoned for nearly 40 years, and today the Palace is one of five remaining Atmospheric theaters in Indiana.
It has been abandoned for nearly 40 years, and today the Palace is one of five remaining Atmospheric theaters in Indiana.
For decades the Palace Theater was a top destination for entertainers coming to Gary. Over the years the theater would transition with the times; vaudeville shows fell out of favor and movies would become rapidly popular.
The Palace then specialized in first-run films for the Northwest Indiana area after they played their engagements in Chicago. When movies at the Palace were 50 cents, it was a hit with the youth.
The majestic Palace Theater, opened in 1925. One of the finer examples of Atmospheric theater design, it was the crown jewel of a northwest Indiana theater conglomerate. The theater would be the longest-running in Gary, and served residents for nearly 50 years before succumbing to crime and financial difficulties.
The Palace was the creation of distinguished movie theater architect John Eberson. An authority of classic Atmospheric-style movie theaters, Eberson designed over 500 theaters during his career.
The Gary Redevelopment Commission has worked on the evaluation and selection of a developer for this work. After reviewing proposals following a publicly issued RFP, they selected BWI LLC, and Indianapolis-based developer who proposed a project for the construction of residential housing units on this historic site. The project is designed to provide housing for median income households, specifically teachers, firefighters and police officers. Due to decay most of the building wil be demolished, but the façade can be restored.
BWI (Black and White Investments) is a Minority owned real estate development business that provides a reliable, single source of contact to bring professional resources to multi-family development, construction and property management, and electrical contracting. Their services can be accomplished under a consultative or design-build basis. BWI, founded in 2005, is headquartered in Indianapolis and provides services throughout Indiana, as well as the Midwest, including Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and more.
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Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
