Plans For Renowned Downtown Libertyville Theater, Dance Building

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — The owner of a 116-year-old three-story building that once held La Villa Theatre in downtown Libertyville plans to put several apartments in the upper two floors, according to The Daily Herald. The news report said Jeff Lovinger, an original MainStreet Libertyville member, bought the building at the southeast corner of School Street and Milwaukee Avenue in 1985, and plans to restore some of the building's original features and recycle or reuse other parts in a $1.5 million to $2 million project. The project proposal, including the eight new living spaces, is under village review, the Daily Herald said.,

The La Villa Theatre housed upstairs closed in 1937 before the Liberty Theater became a downtown staple, and the ground floor was home to several businesses; currently Avenue 21, Starbucks and Clucker's restaurant. In the La Villa Theatre's old space remains a two-story auditorium area surrounded by a mezzanine, used by Dancenter North since 1980 after it was founded by Cheri Lindell in 1974, according to the Daily Herald. The news source reported Lovinger said he told Dancenter North that their five-year lease (up at the end of the month) could be their last. However, because the building needs repairs, Dancenter North and its soon-to-be new owner Stacy Joy Keller, will move to Gurnee with an opening date goal of June 10

The proposed project also includes plans to use less energy, and restorations to the outside of the building to make it resemble its original look, including the reintroduction of 7-foot-tall arched windows on the north facade, according to the Daily Herald. The news report added that a recommendation to the village board is expected to be reached Monday, and Lovinger said work could begin the first week of June.