Movie theater planned for Green Oaks

A well-known theater operator plans to be the first business to build on a long dormant site at Route 176 and the Tri-State Tollway in Green Oaks.

Milwaukee-based Marcus Theatres announced Monday that it has reached an agreement to buy 10 acres at the northeast corner as future home to a 60,000-square-foot cinema with as many as 15 screens.

“We like freeway visibility and it's great accessibility,” said Bruce J. Olson, Marcus' president. “We think this is the very best location.”

The chain operates 55 theaters in seven Midwest states. It's only other Lake County location is a 20-screen theater at Gurnee Mills about six miles north.

The planned upscale venue will feature digital projection and sound, a 70-foot wide Ultra-Screen, extra-wide velour theater seats that rock and hot foods besides popcorn and traditional movie fare.

Construction of the theater, expected to draw moviegoers from Lake Forest west to Mundelein, could begin next spring or summer.

In 2005, Green Oaks leaders approved a concept plan for the 40 acres that includes the theater site, calling for a mix of retail businesses across from Lambs Farm.

Estimates at the time were that the development, known as the Towne Center, could generate up to $600,000 a year in sales tax for the village, which does not have a municipal property tax.

The project didn't materialize, however, and the property was sold to Bradford Real Estate Companies and Midwest Real Estate Equities Inc.

The property also was at one time considered as a site for Costco Wholesale, but the company wanted the village to upgrade from a partial to full tollway interchange at Route 176, at an estimated cost of $22 million.

Marcus did not ask for incentives.

The company expressed interest in the site months ago and village officials visited its operations in Wisconsin, according to Village President Bernard Wysocki. The theater is a conforming use at the site, he added, though plans will need to be reviewed by the village's planning commission and approved by the village board. The company also may request a liquor license, Olson said.

Green Oaks is largely residential. It's limited sales-tax base includes a Harley Davidson dealership, an asphalt sales location and an office furniture supplier.

“That's pretty big news for us,” Wysocki said of Marcus' announcement. “Once this is in place, I think you'll see some restaurants right along Route 176.”

Olson said the Green Oaks project will be smaller and have fewer seats than Gurnee Mills, and will be “decidedly different” because of the technology and food selections. The 70-foot wide screen is in use at only two other locations in Illinois Elgin and Orland Park.

Movie offerings also will be unique to the audience.

“We're not going to play everything that's available from Hollywood,” Olson said. “We're going to be very selective.”