BA Assists American Blues Theater in Purchase of Near Northwest Property

CHICAGO, IL — Jeffrey A. Bernstein and Laurence B. Elbaum are pleased to announce that Managing Director Jonathan Seeley successfully assisted American Blues Theater with the purchase of their new location at 5627 N. Lincoln Avenue after vacating their former home at 4809 N. Ravenswood Avenue. Previous ownership was represented in the transaction by Mark Kishtow and Mark Jones of Jameson Commercial Real Estate.

Built in 1985, the 10,844-square-foot property sits on an 18,000-square-foot lot in a densely populated section of Chicago’s Near Northwest neighborhood. The all-masonry construction features a single-story open floorplan with 12-foot clear height, essential for accommodating the theater’s performances. Additionally, the property offers an attractive 168 feet of frontage along Lincoln Avenue, a main traffic artery serving the Lincoln Square and Andersonville neighborhoods.

“After performing a full search of the market to determine alternate options, it was clear that 5627 N. Lincoln was the best fit for the unique use case of American Blues Theater. We pursued the purchase of the building with earnest and closed within 90 days of going under contract,” said Seeley.

Winner of American Theatre Wing’s prestigious National Theatre Company Award, American Blues Theater is a premier arts organization exploring the American identity through the plays it produces and communities it serves. American Blues Theater follows three guiding values both on and off its stages–to be accessible, responsible, and true. Chicago’s second-oldest AEA Ensemble theater, the American Blues Theater and its artists have received 221 Joseph Jefferson Awards and nominations that celebrate excellence in Chicago theater and 40 Black Theater Alliance Awards.


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