The Uptown Broadway Building is a historic three-story building at 4703–4715 North Broadway in Uptown, Chicago.[2] Built in 1926, it was designed by Walter W. Ahlschlager and is known for its ornate terra-cotta facade depicting ancient gods, rams' heads, shields, helmets, birds, fruits, and trophies.[3] Lynn Becker of the Chicago Reader has called the exterior "a riotous, Spanish-baroque-inspired hallucination".[4] According to unconfirmed local legends, Al Capone operated a speakeasy in the building's basement.[3]
Uptown Broadway Building | |
 | |
    | |
| Location | 4703-4715 N. Broadway, Chicago, Illinois |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°58′5″N 87°39′31″W / 41.96806°N 87.65861°W |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1926 |
| Architect | Walter W. Ahlschlager |
| NRHP reference No. | 86003143[1] |
| Added to NRHP | November 06, 1986 |
The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.[2] It is also listed as part of the Uptown Square Historic District.[3]
The Kiss Kiss Cabaret performed in the building from 2013 to 2018. Since 2019[update], it has been home to the Baton Show Lounge.[5]
In 2025, HV Entertainment bought the bar and announced plans to reopen the Chicago Eagle, a former gay bar catering to the leather LGBT community, previously located at 5015 N Clark St in Andersonville. HV Entertainment pledged to provide a dedicated space for the Baton Show Lounge within the bar.[6] The Chicago Eagle officially reopened Memorial Day weekend, 2026.[7]
See also
edit
References
edit- ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- 1 2 "Illinois: Cook County". National Register of Historic Places. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
- 1 2 3 Kahn, Eve M. (August 2009). "Legend of the North Side". Traditional Building. Retrieved February 15, 2010..
- ↑ Becker, Lynn (March 30, 2007). "An architectural history of Uptown". Chicago Reader. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
- ↑ "About Us". Baton Show Lounge. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ↑ Savedra, Madison (September 23, 2025). "Leather Bar Chicago Eagle Takes Over Baton Show Lounge, But Drag Shows Will Continue". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ "About". www.chicagoeagle.com. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
External links
edit
Media related to Uptown Broadway Building at Wikimedia Commons