(The Galindo family — (left to right) Isis, Naomi, Javier, Lidia Galindo and Evelyn Stell (with her son, Benjamin) — in front of the Apollo’s 2000, an event venue and concert hall at a historic former theater in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood. The family has owned and operated the theater for 35 years and initiated the process to have the building designated a Chicago Landmark.)
June 15, 2024
By Kaitlyn McAvoy, Director of Communications
(This article originally appeared in our June 2024 edition of our print newsletter, The Arch. Read The Arch here.)
Apollo’s 2000 is one of Chicago’s newest landmarks. The former Marshall Square Theatre opened in 1917 in the city’s West Side neighborhood of Little Village or “La Villita.” For more than 100 years, the prominent Beaux Arts building has been an important fixture in the vibrant Mexican-American community. For the past 35 years, it has been the lifeblood of the Galindo family, led by Mexican immigrants Javier and Lidia, who raised their three daughters, Evelyn, Naomi and Isis within its walls.
“The Apollo’s 2000 holds profound significance for our family, transcending its role as a mere building,” said Evelyn Stell, the Galindo’s oldest daughter. “To us, it embodies a cherished second home, a sanctuary where dreams took root and flourished. For my parents — immigrants whose aspirations found fertile ground within its walls — it symbolizes the realization of their American dream.”
(The Apollo’s 2000 today operates as a events venue and concert hall.)
Apollo’s 2000 today operates as an event venue and concert hall, hosting charitable fundraisers, educational workshops, political events and cultural celebrations. It was officially designated a Chicago Landmark in April. The effort to achieve this designation was a unique one, as it was led by the Galindo family themselves. Often landmarking is initiated by an outside party or city staff, who later seeks owner consent for support.
In their case, the Galindo family worked alongside preservation experts from Landmarks Illinois and Preservation Chicago as well as local preservation activist Andy Pierce and Chicago city staff to launch and navigate the landmarking process.
“In hindsight, the process of pursuing Chicago Landmark designation was a transformative journey that deepened our connection to the Apollo’s 2000 and reinforced our commitment to its preservation,” said Stell. “It taught us the power of collaboration, the importance of advocacy and the profound impact that historic buildings can have on shaping the identity and vitality of a community.”
(The Galindo family inside the Apollo’s 2000. (Left to right) Evelyn Stell and her son Benjamin, Lidia, Javier, Naomi and Isis Galindo.)
For the Galindo family, designating the Apollo’s 2000 was a tangible way to ensure the preservation and protection of this historic and culturally significant community space. It also can lead to new funding sources that can help the family pay for needed restoration and maintenance work.
“Our view is that landmark designation not only honors the past, but also paves the way for a brighter future where the Apollo’s 2000 continues to stand as a symbol of resilience, community and progress,” said Stell.
Advice for owner-led landmark designation
For those embarking on their own landmark designation journey, the Galindo family offers the following advice.
- Do your research: Learn about the landmark designation process in your area, including the criteria required and the application process. Gathering historical documentation and conducting research on the property’s significance will be crucial in building a strong case for designation.
- Community Engagement: Engage with local residents, community organizations and preservation advocates early in the process. Building a coalition of supporters will not only demonstrate the property’s significance to the community but also provide valuable allies in advocating for landmark status.
- Seek Expert Guidance: Professionals experienced in historic preservation and landmark designation processes, such as historic preservation consultants, architects and legal experts, can offer invaluable insights and assistance in navigating the complexities of the process.
- Collaborate and Communicate: Foster open communication and collaboration with relevant stakeholders throughout the process. Keep community members, local officials and preservation advocates informed and engaged, soliciting their input and support along the way.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
(Inside Apollo’s 2000)
(Javier Galindo in the Apollo’s 2000 original projection room with the old projectors and reels. The family has left this room largely untouched to help tell the story of the former theater.)
(Naomi Galindo looks at the signatures of guests her family’s venue has welcomed over the last three-and-a-half decades in the dressing room off the main stage.)