Uptown Theatre will be restored and reopened as the crown jewel of a revitalized Uptown entertainment district announced last week. The 93-year-old landmark building, vacant for more than 35 years, will be used for a variety of live performances and special events. The $75 million project fulfills a commitment the Mayor made in his first term. The joint venture between Jam, one of the Chicago’s area’s largest concert promotors, and Farpoint, an experienced Chicago-based real estate developer, will comprehensively restore the Spanish Revival-style building as modern entertainment venue. Interior improvements will include new elevators and concession stations, new mechanical, electrical, plumbing and life-safety systems. Restored decorative finishes, new seats and a reconfigured first-floor will increase total capacity from approximately 4,100 to 5,800 people. Exterior work will repair the building’s masonry and terra cotta and improve marquees and related signage, among other repairs and improvements.