About six years ago, Robert Redford came to Chicago to hype plans for a proposed Sundance theatre at North and Clybourn that never materialized. But Redford’s vision of a chain of theatres to exhibit indie films is finally about to be realized here.
Sundance Cinemas LLC is close to formally announcing a six-to-eight screen theatre at the old Fannie May factory site at 1137 W. Jackson. What could be sweeter?
The theatre would be part of a 266,000-sq. ft. development to be called Metro Center 290 on a four-acre site where the old Fannie May was located until the candy company closed. Metro Center 290 (highlighting the site along Interstate 290) plans include a specialty grocery store and health club, according to Crain’s.
Negotiations started about a month ago between Sundance and Chicago development firms, including IBT Group LLC and Structured Development LLC, which paid $12.2 million for the site.
Sundance has already signed theater deals in Madison and San Francisco. The six-screen, 1,200 seat Madison theatre would be part of the redevelopment of Hilldale Shopping Center that includes a bar, restaurant and shop for Sundance-themed merchandise.
Many sites across the country are being scouted as future theatre locations. No date set as yet as to a construction start date on Metro Center 290 and theatre.
