Ground Breaks On New Stolp Island Theatre In Downtown Aurora

AURORA, IL — Construction has begun on the new Stolp Island Theatre on the banks of the Fox River.

Officials announced Wednesday that Paramount Theatre broke ground on the new 98-seat theater set to become downtown Aurora's next live performance venue. The 9,000-square-foot development, being built at 5 W. Downer Place, will include a 4,600-square-foot theater meant to be an intimate experience for patrons, giving them the sense they're part of the show.

The theater is expected to open in the summer.

The project was made possible by a multi-year funding commitment from Verano, the cannabis company that operates Zen Leaf in Aurora and nine others across the Chicago area, according to a news release.

"The Stolp Island Theatre will be another live theater destination in the heart of downtown Aurora bringing jobs, patrons, and additional opportunities for exciting and engaging entertainment into our community," Mayor Richard Irvin said in a statement. "For years, the Stolp Island Theatre was just an idea, but through the generosity of Verano and Zen Leaf, the vision has become reality. The team at Paramount is hard at work to create a unique new performing arts space and a first-class show that will be an experience unlike any other in the area."

Paramount plans to announce Stolp Island Theatre's first production later this month, officials said. The institution expects to present more than 400 performances annually, which is expected to bolster Aurora's annual economy by $3.3 million.

"The last few years have been a challenging time for the performing arts industry, but our strong return from the shutdown reinforces how important cultural amenities like the Paramount, Copley, and RiverEdge Park are to improving the quality of life for the community," Tim Rater, president and CEO of Paramount Theatre, said in a statement. "We are thrilled that through a partnership with the City and the philanthropy of Verano, we will add another first-class performing arts experience. Aurora already has the best riverfront downtown in Illinois, and the Stolp Island Theatre will be another defining destination in the years ahead."