Buildings on much of the 100 block of West First Street would be torn down to make way for a 550-seat performing arts theater and a 4-to-6-story, 185-unit apartment building if the Encore Center for Performing Arts moves forward with its downtown development concept.
The nonprofit's new president, Mark George, confirmed Monday, June 29, that an unnamed developer signed a letter of intent with Encore roughly two weeks earlier. George declined to identify the company. The deal came after Minneapolis-based Ryan Companies — which built the Vyne on Haven luxury apartments on North Haven Road — backed out in March over a dispute with the city about how much money it could receive from Elmhurst's downtown tax increment financing district.
"It's in the best interest of the developer to have a nonprofit as an anchor for the project," George told Patch. "There truly is a community interest."
Partnering with a developer cuts Encore's fundraising target from roughly $60 million to about $25 million, according to George.
George, who ran the Music Institute of Chicago for 15 years before stepping down in February 2025, was named Encore's president in spring 2026.
Economic projections and pushback
An Encore-commissioned study projects the center would generate $8.2 million in yearly economic impact, $692,000 annually in sales, food, beverage, and hotel taxes, and $202,000 that would flow directly to the city. Those figures have not been independently verified.
The block currently houses several retail storefronts. Encore has not publicly identified which businesses or property owners would be affected by demolition.
Residents have pushed back. Over the past year, opponents have spoken at City Council meetings about the proliferation of tall apartment buildings downtown, traffic concerns, and the project's scale. One resident described the proposed building as "massive, tall, and not attractive" at a May 2025 meeting.
Mayor Scott Levin called TIF funding for the theater a "boon" during his 2025 campaign, though he has not publicly addressed the project since Ryan Companies' departure in March.
How to weigh in
Encore is hosting four community walking tours of the proposed site in July:
- 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 8
- 10 a.m. Thursday, July 9
- 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 21
- 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 22
Participants meet on the north side of the Metra platform outside Pilot Pete's at 128 W. First St. Evening walks include a beverage at Tannins Wine Bar & Boutique; morning walks include coffee from Pilot Pete's.
Encore plans to present its concept to city officials, including Mayor Levin, later this summer. No specific council meeting date has been announced. Residents can contact Encore at [email protected] or 224-283-7889.
