Construction begins

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PLEASE NOTE: This post is one from a series of blog posts that tells the story of TimeLine’s New Home Project over several years. Therefore, some information presented below may no longer be accurate. For the most up-to-date information about the project, please visit our It’s Time page here. If you are a member of the media seeking information or comment, please reach out to Lara Goetsch, TimeLine’s Director of Marketing and Communications, at lara@timelinetheatre.com or (773) 281-8463 x125.

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It’s time!

We’re thrilled to share that TimeLine’s capital campaign has raised nearly $40 million and our general contractor, Bulley & Andrews, has begun construction of our future new home at 5035 N. Broadway, near the corner of Broadway and Argyle, in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood!

The concrete pre-cast panels that will form the walls of TimeLine’s new home have been fabricated and are being held in a warehouse in Wisconsin until they can be transported to Chicago to take their place at 5035 N. Broadway. Per the current construction schedule, TimeLine anticipates opening our new building in early 2026.

We’re beyond excited that work is underway, but our new home project is about more than completing construction and relocating to a new facility—it’s about launching TimeLine’s next chapter as an organization. — Artistic Director PJ Powers

“All of our decisions have been focused on making our new home far more than a theater,” PJ said. “We hope for TimeLine to be a gathering place that adds to the vitality of the historic, rich, and vital Uptown neighborhood with expanded programming and a deepened focus on community, where we can fully embrace our belief that history belongs to everyone.”

“TimeLine has been navigating a radically shifting post-pandemic landscape since purchasing the property in December 2018,” added Executive Director Mica Cole. “At the same time, we’ve been focusing on our core values, our people, and our long-term sustainability. We’re poised and ready to lean into our exciting future.”

We hope TimeLine’s path to our new home will serve as an example of bold transition, success, and inspiration at this moment in the Chicago theater community’s history. — Executive Director Mica Cole

The project design and construction team—including HGA, Schuler Shook, Threshold Acoustics, Bulley & Andrews, Cullen Construction Management, and Rotholz LLC—has been working with us through various design conceptualizations and schematic design phases, informed by extensive site analysis, engineering studies and, as a result of the pandemic, a clearer focus on adaptability.

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The resulting building design features a façade that offers an open, inviting presence to the Uptown community, and interior spaces that fulfill TimeLine’s goal of creating an inspiring home that is driven by and supports the company’s mission and ensures accessibility and inclusivity for all.

Far more than just a theater, our new home will be an inviting, accessible facility and a welcoming gathering space for entertainment, education, and community engagement. Joining other venerable performance venues in the historic Uptown Entertainment District, it will feature an intimate and flexible 250-seat black box theater that can be re-imagined for every show; exhibit galleries that enhance the production experience; dedicated space for TimeLine’s Living History high school student audiences, education programming, and community gathering; expanded social spaces including a bar and café open day and night; a spacious and visible rehearsal room that invites a view of the art as it’s being made; office and production space for TimeLine’s growing staff; plus opportunities for future expansion.

Visit our It’s Time page for further details about the project, including design renderings.

Since launching our capital campaign, we’re thrilled to have successfully raised nearly $40 million toward the approximately $46 million project cost, including $12.9 million in public support ($2.9 million from the State of Illinois, $10 million from the City of Chicago), and funds from more than 170 generous individual donors.

As we celebrate this milestone, we are working to keep building momentum! So we’re grateful to several generous lead donors who have established a $2 million matching challenge to inspire those passionate about TimeLine’s future to consider pledging to the campaign and propelling us through the next phase of construction. If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please reach out to Rosie Schultz, Director of Donor Engagement, at rosie@timelinetheatre.com.

“We are immensely grateful for all of our supporters, including contributions from passionate TimeLine audience members and investment in this project from the City of Chicago and State of Illinois,” said Mica.

The following public officials have offered invaluable guidance and advocacy along the way:

• Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth
• Alderwoman Angela Clay
• Alderman Matt Martin
• Representative Hoan Huynh
• Senator Mike Simmons
• Senator Sara Feigenholtz
• Former Representative Greg Harris
• Former Senator Heather A. Steans
• Former Alderman Harry Osterman
• Former Alderman James Cappleman

To power this period of transition and growth, TimeLine has been intentional about expanding our full-time staff. In April 2022, following a national search, Mica was appointed Executive Director. Former Managing Director Elizabeth K. Auman transitioned to a newly created position of Director of New Home Development. Ted DeLong was appointed Managing Director. And Tiffany Fulson was named to a new full-time role, now titled Artistic and Community Engagement Producer, providing leadership for growing community-based programming. Tiffany was also recently named one of six local early-career leaders in the U.S. to be part of Theatre CommunicationsGroup’s 2024 Rising Leaders of Color Program.

“The new leadership voices and national industry experience of Mica and Ted, in partnership with the deep institutional knowledge and long-time guidance of PJ and Elizabeth—plus the investment in emerging leaders like Tiffany—are a potent combination at this critical juncture in TimeLine’s history,” said TimeLine Board President Thaddeus J. Malik.

We are ready to embark upon this new era with focus, determination, and strength as an organization. — Board President Thaddeus J. Malik

Other news in this moment:

FareWellington

After 25 years in residence, TimeLine is departing our longtime home at 615 W. Wellington in Lakeview East, reflecting on not just the countless memories in the quirky, intimate, and transformative space known as Baird Hall, but on what the space has meant to Off-Loop Chicago theater since at least the mid-1960s, and as a community hub for more than 100 years. Visit our FareWellington page for information about related events and a link to contribute your own memory of TimeLine or our historic space.

New Administrative Offices

We’ve already relocated our administrative offices to a temporary base at 5539 N. Broadway, just a few blocks north of the site of our new home, where staff will manage construction, continue fundraising efforts and deepen community connections. 

2024-25 Season

We’re also busy preparing for our upcoming 2024-25 season, featuring producing partnerships with Court Theatre, The Theatre School at DePaul University, and Writers Theatre—plus the internationally acclaimed company the american vicarious. Check out the TimeLine FlexPass—it’s your VIP passport to this extraordinary season!

Stay tuned! We’ll share more as this momentous project continues, including news about a public groundbreaking ceremony to take place at a later date. THANK YOU to everyone who has helped move TimeLine toward this moment. Whether a campaign donor, subscriber, Annual Fund supporter, artist, audience member, student, or so many others, your steadfast belief in TimeLine’s mission powers this organization, and we’re grateful.