c. 1926 full-figured granada theater figural statue finally makes its way into the bldg. 51 museum

the monumental plaster female statue recently housed in off-site storage, has recently made another move, this time to be in a more secluded, climate-controlled space along with the rest of the bldg. 51 collection. thankfully it is solidly-built, with complete structural integrity to withstand relocation. longtime customers might recognize the statue as having greeted visitors to our former showroom. this incredible life-size 1920's decoration is one-of-a-kind, having been salvaged from the historic granada theater that was demolished in the early 1990's. few (if any) other collections contain this sort of figurative decor, as this scale of sculpture largely remains in its original context.

the towering movie palace statue was likely fabricated by the decorators' supply company of chicago, which happens to be one of the city's oldest continuously running businesses. decorators supply company began in 1883, and benefited greatly from the business brought by the 1893 world's fair. in fact, they were instrumental in providing ornament to the buildings that would become known as the "white city."

the company continued to grow an artisanal practice of making "composite" material for molding (rather than carving). this skill is evident in the detail and elegance of form in the granada figure, which is covered on its surface with original metallic gold leaf, a hand-painted finish that remains largely intact.

the non-extant granada theater was constructed in 1926 by louis and meyer marks, who were among the major theater operators of chicago during that era. edward e. eichenbaum, the architect, found his first theater commission in the granada (before he designed the marbro, regal and century theaters), collaborating with the firm of levy & klein as the principal designers. the spanish baroque "granada" was to be one of the three largest move theaters ever built in the city and was notable for its elaborate ornament -- the exterior being allover covered in figurative terra cotta and the interior with plaster work.

the granada was often described as the most ornate building of its kind in the city. still this "flagship" of the marks brothers movie empire operated for only 8 years under their ownership, until in 1934, competitors balaban and katz purchased the building. they eventually became abc-great lakes theaters, and kept the granada operating until 1973. in the following decade the theater struggled, and despite all attempts to save it, the "most ornate theater in the city" was purchased by senior life styles corporation to be razed for a prospective commercial structure. the 16-story apartment tower and shopping arcade that replaced the theater was eventually purchased to become part of loyola university.