Irving Harris

The theater is named for its primary benefactors, Joan and Irving Harris, who gave a gift of $15 million gift ($18.1 million in current dollars) and a $24 million ($29 million) construction loan to the Music and Dance Theater Chicago; this was believed to be largest single monetary commitment ever to a performing arts organization in Chicago.[28] The Harrises had a long history of philanthropy benefitting the arts.[2][28][29]
The Harris Theater was designed by Thomas Beeby of Hammond Beeby Rupert Ainge Architects; his previous work in Chicago includes the Harold Washington Library Center and the Art Institute of Chicago Building's Rice Wing. Thornton Tomasetti was the structural engineer.[29][30][31] The building is located on ground leased from the City of Chicago,[28] and cost $52.7 million ($62.3 million in current dollars).[30] Construction began on February 1, 2002,[28] and the theater opened for use on November 8, 2003.[30][32]



Projector Lamps
LEED Credits