Briar Street Theatre
Address: 3133 N. Halsted Street, Chicago
Phone: 773-348-4000

The Chicago landmark at 3133 N. Halsted Street has a long and interesting history which led to its existence as one of the top theatre spaces in the city. Re-opened in April 1985, the facility is designed to house live theatre while remaining flexible for use as a film studio or live television production. These activities are a far cry from the building's original duty as a carriage house and horse stables constructed in 1901 for Marshall Fields' delivery service. This conversion began in 1970 when Walt Topel purchased the building from Werner Kennelly Moving and Storage Company and put it to work as a sound stage and office for his growing film production company, Topel and Associated, Ltd. The building continued to grow with its owner and from 1977 to 1985 housed Topel's film post-production company, Cinetronics, Ltd. That business, renamed Swell, later moved downtown and in 1984, Topel realized a long held dream of converting the building to the live theatre that exists today. The space quicky became an integral element in Chicago's rich theatre community and is still owned by the Topel family.

The Briar Street Theatre is wheelchair accessible with an adjacent parking lot.