The Lillian Marcie Arts Center will transform Bronzeville’s entertainment scene.

The Lillian Marcie Performing Arts Center is an ambitious adaptive reuse project transforming a 30,000-square-foot, 110-year-old Prairie-style building at 4341 S. Cottage Grove Ave. in Bronzeville, Chicago. 

Spearheaded by the nonprofit Lillian Marcie Legacy Co., the center aims to become a premier destination for world-class performances, featuring a 350-seat main theater and a 100-seat boutique theater. The project, receiving up to $6 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) support, seeks to uphold and advance Black American performance culture while generating 20 permanent full-time jobs.

Founded by industry veterans Harry Lennix and TaRon Patton, the Lillian Marcie Center's mission is to preserve and celebrate the artistic legacy of Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood. Harry Lennix, known for his role in NBC’s "The Blacklist," and TaRon Patton, co-founder of the African American Museum of the Performing Arts (AAMPA), bring their expertise to this cultural landmark. The center aims to create a nurturing environment for Black American artists to express their creativity and innovation, positioning itself as a global hub for theater enthusiasts.

Once completed, the Lillian Marcie Center will serve as a beacon of Black achievement, combining historical reverence with contemporary innovation. By converting a former Marshall Field & Co. warehouse, the center will become a cultural capstone, reflecting the rich artistic heritage of Bronzeville and fostering a vibrant community space for performance and artistic expression.

So let’s get started. What is the Lilian Marcie Center?

Lilian Marcie Center is the brainchild of Harry Lenix

The Lilian Marcie Performing Arts Center is the brainchild of Harry Lennix. ennix, known for his role in NBC’s "The Blacklist," will manage the theater's first year of operations, curating and organizing its programming. The center operates under the Lillian Marcie Legacy Company, led by Lennix, Keith Giles, and Mike Wordlaw.

Harry Lennix's deep connection to the national theater community and his understanding of the arts' impact on neighborhood redevelopment drive the project. The center is named after Lennix's mentor Marcella Gillie and his mother Lillian, reflecting his personal dedication to the arts and the influence these women had on his life.

The Lillian Marcie Center aspires to be a vital cultural institution in Chicago, similar to the role Lincoln Center plays in New York. Lennix's vision is to provide a space where Black artists can thrive, creating a significant impact on the local arts scene and fostering a vibrant community for theater and performance.

Now let’s see: What’s the mission of the Lilian Marcie Center?

Mission of the Lilian Marcie Center

Harry Lennix aims to create safe spaces for Black American artists through the Lillian Marcie Performing Arts Center, focusing on restoring and securing the artistic legacy of Bronzeville. The center will honor the collective artistic soul of the Black experience in the Americas, providing a nurturing environment for highly original, thought-provoking, and entertaining productions.

Positioned as the capital of Black American performance culture, the Lillian Marcie Center will uphold the highest standards of artistic expression. By consistently creating and recreating cultural events, it aspires to become a South Side version of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts or Carnegie Hall, contributing to and advancing the legacy of Black excellence.

The vision for the Lillian Marcie Center is to embody the African American cultural aesthetic by merging the artistic soul of the past with the present. This approach aims to not only honor Black excellence but also propel it to new, unimaginable heights. The center will feature two performance stages, bar and lounge areas, a rooftop, and more, creating a comprehensive space for artistic expression and community engagement.

The Lillian Marcie Performing Arts Center seeks to be the premier destination for Black American performance culture, offering a vibrant and consistent venue for cultural events on Chicago’s South Side. Its dedication to fostering creativity and innovation will ensure its place as a cornerstone of the local and national arts scene.

Now that you know the mission of the Lilian Marcie Center, let me show you what to expect in its architecture.

Lilian Marcie Center Architecture

The Lillian Marcie Performing Arts Center will be located at 4343 S. Cottage Grove Avenue in the historic Bronzeville neighborhood. This modern cultural hub will transform a historic three-story brick structure into a state-of-the-art theatre. The center will also include rooftop restaurant areas and bar and lounge spaces on the first and second floors.

Designed by the award-winning firm Ware Malcomb, the Lillian Marcie Center will combine classic and modern architectural elements. The theatre lobby will feature high ceilings, sleek wood finishes, stylish furniture, bright box offices, a coat room, and bathrooms on both floors. The venue aims to provide a warm and intimate setting for its patrons, enhancing the overall theatre experience with exceptional acoustics, sight lines, configurable stages, and modern lighting.

The main 350-seat theatre will have a classic proscenium stage with an orchestra pit, fly towers, and high-quality audiovisual components, including lighting, video, and sound equipment. Adjacent to this, a smaller 90-seat solo performance area with a thrust stage will cater to more intimate performances. The second floor will house the 100-seat boutique theatre with a semi-circular thrust stage, a sound recording booth, and top-tier lighting and sound equipment.

The Lillian Marcie Center will significantly contribute to Bronzeville's cultural renaissance, offering world-class theatre experiences in a venue that rivals the best in the country. With rehearsal spaces, dressing rooms, offices, and outdoor gathering areas, the center will attract locals and tourists alike, boosting the neighborhood's development and enriching Chicago's performing arts scene.

And now, we will check out the progress of this project so far!

Progress So far

The Lillian Marcie Center for the Performing Arts received a $26 million grant from the Illinois state budget for 2023, funded by the Build Illinois Bond Fund. This substantial financial support demonstrates the state's commitment to cultural institutions. Harry Lennix, the project's founder, estimates the overall cost of the new facility to be around $80 million, with a capital drive already underway to secure the remaining funds.

The real estate development firm LWGW, headquartered in Chicago, is leading the project. As of July 2024, the Bronzeville community is optimistic that the Lillian Marcie Center will soon obtain the necessary permits to begin construction at 4341 S. Cottage Grove Avenue. The center will transform the old Marshall Field building into a $25 million, 350-seat auditorium and performing arts museum, alongside the ongoing restoration of nearby historic venues.

The Lillian Marcie Center will include the African American Museum of Performing Arts (AAMPA) and residential housing with amenities like parking and a hotel for visiting artists. This cultural arts complex, part of a broader $180 million Bronzeville Renaissance project, aims to restore Bronzeville's status as the Black Metropolis by showcasing African American heritage and achievements in the performing arts.

The new theater will address the lack of performance spaces on Chicago's South Side, particularly those featuring Black playwrights. Lennix emphasizes the importance of providing access to these writers, ensuring their work reaches a broader audience. The center aims to open by the end of 2025, contingent on securing additional funding from the state grant and other sources. Congo Square Theatre Company plans to make the center its permanent home, while also hosting traveling productions.

In its efforts to engage the community, the Lillian Marcie Center has hosted the Annual LMC Summerfest for the past two years, a free summer arts festival that highlights professional and local artists. The positive response from the Bronzeville neighborhood reflects the center's commitment to serving as a dynamic partner and supporter of local arts organizations in Chicago.

How Bronzeville continues to thrive

Bronzeville is undergoing a significant revitalization through developments such as the Bronzeville Lakefront, 43 Green, and the Lillian Marcie Center for the Performing Arts. These projects are transforming the neighborhood into a more inclusive and progressive community, fostering a vibrant environment for residents and visitors alike.

The Lillian Marcie Center plays a crucial role in this transformation by providing safe spaces for the creativity and artistic expression of Black American artists. This center not only highlights the rich cultural heritage of Bronzeville but also ensures that the talents of local artists are recognized and celebrated. By offering state-of-the-art performance venues, the center supports the artistic needs of the community and encourages innovation and originality.

Bronzeville's commitment to inclusivity is evident in its efforts to create spaces that cater to the diverse needs of its residents. The ongoing developments are a testament to the neighborhood's dedication to fostering a supportive environment where everyone feels included and valued. This holistic approach to revitalization ensures that Bronzeville remains a vibrant, culturally rich, and welcoming community for all.

Are you interested in other progressive places to invest in Chicagoland? Book a free consultation with us below.