4 retro signs in Chicago

On our visit to Chicago earlier this year, we were fascinated by the distinctive retro neon signage.

Chicago is known for its vibrant, historic neighbourhoods, and an important part of that character is the vintage business signs that have adorned storefronts for decades. Recently, the Chicago City Council took an important step to protect some of these iconic signs.

Under a new ordinance, commercial signs that are at least 30 years old and have a "degree of character and nostalgia" can now remain in place, even if a new business moves in. They are not granted landmark status, but must be considered in any development on the site. This marks a shift from the previous law, which required old signs to be removed when their permit expired.

Supporters of the new ordinance recognise that these vintage signs are more than just advertisements - they are part of the fabric and identity of Chicago's neighbourhoods. Saving them allows new businesses to incorporate that history and character into their ventures.

While some old signs may eventually need to be replaced, this legislation represents an important step in preserving an often-overlooked aspect of Chicago's urban landscape. By protecting these retro business signs, the city is ensuring its unique history and character remains visible for years to come.

Here are 4 that caught our eye….

1/ The Berghoff Restaurant

An iconic Chicago institution, it has been serving German-American style cuisine since 1898 and is one of the oldest family-run businesses in the US. Originally opening as men-only saloon serving free sandwiches with the purchase of a stein of Berghoff Beer, the entrepreneurial owners launched its now famous Berghoff Rootbeer during Prohibition when it became a full-service restaurant. Once Prohibition was lifted, it became the first establishment to procure a liquor licence - to this day it is still the first premises to receive a new licence each year.

2/ Chicago Theatre

The Chicago Theatre is a surviving example of the classic American movie palace dating from 1921. It was designed by early cinema architects CW Rapp and George L Rapp - who went on to design the entire Paramount/Publix cinema chain - in their signature ‘Neo-Baroque French Revival’ style. It was funded by the Balaban and Katz Corporation, who built their cinemas in rapidly growing outlying districts of Chicago. Now a theatre, it was saved from demolition in the 1980s. When the city sold the venue in 2004, an agreement mandated that any changes to the vertical neon sign be limited to the very top. The original design survives but now includes sponsors’ Chase Bank where the original Balaban and Katz logo of two horses holding ribbons of 35mm film in their mouths was.

Figure 1: The Berghoff Restaurant from 1898. Image credit: 4 S Architecture.

Figure 2: The Chicago Theatre, built in 1921 . Image credit: 4 S Architecture.

3/ Grace’s Furniture, Logan Square

The old sign at the heart of Logan Square remains long after Grace’s Furniture store closed down in the early 2000s. Developers are working to secure permits to revamp the building, transforming it into a mixed-use project with an Athletics Club as its main tenant. Delays to the plans have occurred in recent years due to permitting, with one obstacle being how to preserve the 40-foot tall sign, believed to be at least 70 years old. Residents in the area have campaigned for the sign to be retained rather than torn down. This building’s signage was an instrumental case in the recent new legislation that will hopefully see its restoration and retention as an iconic landmark in the area.

4/ Logan Cinema

Previously known as the Paramount Theatre, it opened in 1915 and was renamed as The Logan Theatre in 1929. It was renovated in the 1990s-2000s to reveal details of the original architecture obscured by decades of plaster. As a family owned business it was, and continues to be, committed to entertaining the diverse families of the local community for ‘unbeatable’ prices. Locals love the variety of events and the accessibility of the cinema, it sits at street level alongside other community amenities and the facade is free of advertising and branding, making it a distinct and attractive alternative to the big multiplexes on the outskirts of the city. The neon sign is simple and draws people in to a welcoming venue.

Figure 3: Grace’s Furniture store signage. Image credit: 4 S Architecture.

Chicago is full of architectural wonders and we will be sharing more of our top finds in the next few posts.

We hope you enjoy them!

Figure 4: The Logan neighbourhood cinema. Image credit: 4 S Architecture.