A 550-Seat Theater and 185 Apartments Could Transform Downtown Elmhurst
ELMHURST— One of Downtown Elmhurst’s most ambitious redevelopment ideas could become much clearer next month.
The Encore Center for Performing Arts is working on a plan for a 550-seat theater and approximately 185 apartments in the 100 block of West First Street, directly across from the Elmhurst Metra station. The combined development could rise roughly four to six stories and would require demolition of several existing buildings across much of the block.
But this is still a proposal, not an approved development.
Encore President Mark George told Patch that the organization may reveal a rendering and additional details at its November 14 gala, while a development concept could potentially reach the city before the end of the year.
That makes the project worth watching not simply because of its size, but because it combines two things Downtown Elmhurst has been discussing for years: more housing near transit and a permanent performing arts destination.
What’s Actually Being Proposed on First Street?
The current concept pairs the long-planned Encore performing arts center with a substantially larger residential component.
Encore’s own feasibility work has consistently envisioned a 550-seat theater with a fly system, orchestra pit, performance support spaces, rehearsal areas and event facilities. The organization has argued that a venue of this size could support both touring performers and local theater, music, dance and comedy groups. The residential portion would add about 185 apartments, according to the latest reporting.
That housing component is important because Encore says partnering with a private developer makes the performing arts project financially more realistic. Without the development partnership, the nonprofit estimates it would need to raise roughly $60 million, compared with approximately $25 million under the combined approach.
The development team itself is also changing.
Encore previously worked with Ryan Companies, which has completed other Elmhurst projects, but Ryan withdrew earlier this year after raising concerns about project costs and design. Encore says it has since been working with another developer, although that company has not yet been publicly identified.
That is one reason the November reveal could matter. The next version may not look exactly like earlier concepts.
Why This Site Matters for Downtown Living
Location is one of the strongest parts of the proposal.
Encore identified property around 109-119 W. First Street years ago specifically because it sits directly across from the Elmhurst train station. The organization has promoted the location as a way to make performances accessible to both Elmhurst residents and visitors coming from Chicago or other western suburbs.
That same location also changes the residential story.
A 185-unit building here would place new residents within walking distance of Metra, restaurants, shops and other Downtown Elmhurst destinations rather than on the edge of town.
Elmhurst’s own Downtown Plan has historically supported that general pattern. The city’s planning documents identify more downtown housing, higher-density residential development and transit-oriented housing near the Metra station as strategies for keeping Downtown active and attractive to a mix of young professionals, empty nesters and older residents.
That does not mean the current 185-unit proposal automatically fits every planning objective or should be assumed to receive approval.
But it helps explain why this particular block keeps attracting redevelopment attention.
The question is no longer just whether Downtown Elmhurst should have housing.
It is how much housing, at what scale, and how it should fit alongside existing businesses, traffic patterns and neighboring properties.
A Theater Could Change Downtown After 5 P.M.
The performing arts center adds another layer that a typical apartment project would not.
Most downtown redevelopment discussions focus on housing, restaurants and retail. A 550-seat performance venue could create a different kind of evening activity.
Encore’s feasibility study envisioned theater, music, dance, comedy and community programming, along with rental and rehearsal spaces. The organization’s research also argues that event audiences can generate additional spending at surrounding restaurants, stores and other businesses.
For Downtown Elmhurst, that could mean another reason for people to stay after dinner, arrive from surrounding suburbs or take Metra into town for an evening event.
The interesting part is how that activity could interact with the proposed apartments.
Residents would potentially live within steps of performances, dining and the train station. Meanwhile, businesses could gain both a larger nearby residential population and event-driven foot traffic.
That is the promise of the concept.
The tradeoffs are equally important.
Traffic, Height and Density Are Already Part of the Debate
The project has faced opposition from some residents even before a formal application has been submitted.
Concerns raised publicly have included traffic congestion, the number of newer apartment buildings Downtown and the height and density of future development. A petition opposing earlier versions of the concept drew more than 1,400 signatures last year, while residents also spoke against it during City Council meetings.
Those concerns are not occurring in a vacuum.
Elmhurst’s Downtown Plan itself acknowledges longstanding frustration with traffic, particularly where cars, pedestrians and rail activity converge.
A 185-unit apartment building plus a 550-seat theater would therefore need to answer practical questions about:
parking and traffic circulation
drop-off and rideshare areas
building height and massing
pedestrian access to the Metra station
how performance crowds interact with nearby businesses and residents
loading, deliveries and event operations
the amount and location of any public or private parking
Those details are not fully available yet.
That is why it is too early to treat the apartment count, building height or site plan as final.
What Buyers and Current Elmhurst Residents Should Watch
For buyers considering Downtown Elmhurst, this proposal is worth following even if they have no interest in renting one of the future apartments.
A project of this scale could change how the block feels, how much activity occurs near First Street, and what kinds of cultural and residential uses are concentrated around the station.
For someone comparing Downtown Elmhurst with other western-suburban centers such as Naperville, Glen Ellyn or Wheaton, that matters.
Downtown living is increasingly about more than being close to a commuter train.
Buyers may also compare restaurants, events, parks, walkability, entertainment and whether there are reasons to stay in the downtown district after the workday ends.
A dedicated performing arts center could add something different to that mix.
But buyers should also avoid making decisions based on renderings that do not exist yet.
Until the developer submits plans and Elmhurst begins a formal review, important pieces remain uncertain, including the final architecture, parking plan, exact unit mix, development schedule and whether the project ultimately receives city approval.
Considering Downtown Elmhurst or the Western Suburbs?
The Cory Tanzer Group at Option Premier helps buyers and sellers compare existing homes, condos, new construction, transit access, downtown amenities and nearby development activity throughout Elmhurst and the Western Suburbs.
For buyers looking near an active downtown, understanding what is already built, formally approved and still only proposed can be just as important as understanding today’s sale prices.
Stay Connected
Ranked among the top 1% of real estate teams in the Chicagoland market, The Cory Tanzer Group at Option Premier is recognized for proven sales performance, neighborhood expertise, and consistent results across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
In the 2026 RealTrends Verified rankings, based on 2025 sales data, the team completed 181 transaction sides representing $79.28 million in sales volume. The Cory Tanzer Group ranked No. 13 in Illinois by transaction sides, No. 20 in Illinois by sales volume, No. 270 nationally by transaction sides, and No. 439 nationally by sales volume.
The team also earned The CARLY, the highest honor for Platinum Sales Dollars and Platinum Units Sold, at the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Sales Awards.
Led by Cory Tanzer, the team helps buyers, sellers, investors, landlords, and renters navigate real estate across Downtown Chicago, the North Shore, and the Western Suburbs, with local expertise in University Village, University Commons, South Loop, West Loop, Little Italy, Pilsen, and surrounding Chicagoland communities.
Connect with The Cory Tanzer Group at Option Premier for trusted local market insight, personalized guidance, and a proven strategy for your next Chicago real estate move.
