![]() Bottles are arranged along a bar counter at the Epiphany Center for the Arts in the West Loop neighborhood March 11, 2021. From there, guests can enter the largest venue on the property called Epiphany Hall, which can hold just under 1,000 people in non-pandemic times. Terra cotta adorns the walls of the Epiphany Hall as sunlight beams through the windows at the Epiphany Center for the Arts in the West Loop neighborhood March 11, 2021.Īt the sprawling campus, patrons enter a lounge area with a long bar and seating made from the pews that once lined the church. Terra cotta and stained glass windows adorn the walls of the Epiphany Hall as sunlight beams through the windows at the Epiphany Center for the Arts in the West Loop neighborhood March 11, 2021. Original religious motifs adorn the walls of the Epiphany Hall space at the Epiphany Center for the Arts in the West Loop neighborhood March 11, 2021. While they brought things up to date, crews were diligent about preserving much of the church’s original character, like the terracotta tiles inside the church and the woodwork throughout all the buildings. While the church’s “bones” were in very good shape, Chase said they restored the stained glass, installed a new HVAC system, new plumbing, electrical and excavated two feet from the floor of the basement. Chase said the entire project cost $14.7 million, and was privately funded and came in under budget. ![]() ![]() He’s put together a team with expertise in events headed by Mike Jeffers, director of entertainment and programming.Īfter closing in 2017, it took almost two years to restore the venue. “In that process, it actually changed my life completely,” Chase said, explaining he ended up with a passion for it. ”Ĭhase had no background in events, but thought he could host some events in the old church “to generate some cash flow.” “So, I thought of land banking the property for future development but didn’t look at it from the standpoint of a business model. “The confluence of those three meetings and realizing, based on the real estate entitlements that I created for this property, that if I took the tax credits I’d have to keep it the way it is for at least five years,” Chase said. But at the time he was thinking short-term. And a third told him that it would be perfect for art exhibits, and it made him think of using it for events. Another told Chase the same thing about Epiphany Hall. However, while various people were looking at his new property, one remarked that the sanctuary would make an amazing music venue. Tables and chairs are arranged socially distant in the Epiphany Hall at the Epiphany Center for the Arts in the West Loop neighborhood March 11, 2021.Īlthough representatives from several hotels toured the property, the timing wasn’t right, Chase said.Īdditionally, he said it was “too premature” for a residential development. The Sanctuary space at the Epiphany Center for the Arts in the West Loop neighborhood March 11, 2021. At that time, Chase said he aimed to convert it into a hotel or a multi-family home development. On their 21st anniversary in 2017, they closed on the church property. “One day we came over and asked if we could get married here.”Ĭhase and Rachal married on Oct. “We’ve lived across the street for 25 years so the bells would wake us up, but we kind of liked them,” Chase said. He first explored it after its church bells woke him up one morning. Sunlight beams through stained glass windows in the Epiphany Hall at the Epiphany Center for the Arts in the West Loop neighborhood March 11, 2021.Ĭhase, who grew up in Kohler, Wisconsin, has lived within walking distance of the church for years. The Epiphany Center for the Arts in the West Loop neighborhood March 11, 2021. The church, constructed in 1885 with additions built in 1895, was bought by a team led by Chase in 2017 in what he described as the most complex deal of his career - and one he first viewed through the lens of a developer rather than a venue owner. They are limited to 50 guests, who must stay seated and wear masks.ĭeveloper David Chase and his wife, Kimberly Rachal, converted the former church and adjacent property into a $15 million venue to host live music, art exhibits, weddings, galas and other private events. along with other buildings on its 42,000-square-foot campus, is home to three unique venues - Epiphany Hall, The Sanctuary and The Catacombs - along with a cafe and a courtyard.Ī series of indoor Candlelight Concerts kicked off in recent weeks. WEST LOOP - While Chicagoans eagerly await the return of live music and entertainment to venues across the city, Chicago’s newest venue has been putting on live indoor shows already.Įpiphany Center for the Arts, which includes the former Church of the Epiphany at 201 S.
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