George B.
Rubens
1870-1927
Louis M.
Rubens
1877-1942
Maurice M.
Rubens
1885-1950
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The
construction of a "vaudeville movie palace" in Joliet,
Illinois was the undertaking of the six Rubens brothers.
The Royal Theatre Company was formed to guarantee
the 2 million dollar project. With the opening of
the theatre on May 24, 1926, the Royal Theatre Company
leased the operation of the theatre to the Great States
Theatre, Inc. The property remained under the control
and direction of the Rubens brothers.
The Architects
C. W. and George L. Rapp founded
the Chicago firm of Rapp & Rapp Architects in
1906. Following the Rialto Square Theatre project,
they continued to build ornate theatres throughout
the Midwest.
The Construction Company
The Rialto Square Theatre building
was another Kaiser-Ducett masterpiece. Kaiser-Ducett
was also the main contractor for many of the exhibits
at Chicago's 1933 World's Fair.
In 1956, Charles 0. Kaiser, son of Oscar, and George
G. Nelson took over the firm until it was sold in
1968.
April 1, 1925 |
December 16, 1925 |
 THE
SCULPTOR - The Rialto's magnificent European
architecture is the signature work of the late Eugene
Romeo, a Sicilian immigrant who settled in Park
Ridge, Illinois. Romeo joined the McNulty Brothers
Company of Chicago, one of the largest plastering
firms in the country.
A sampling of buildings in the Chicago
area which bear his work include the Board of Trade,
Chicago Daily News Building, Soldier Field, Merchandise
Mart, Blackstone Theatre, Wrigley Building and the
Joliet Township High School Auditorium.
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Jules J.
Rubens
1886-1945
Harry A.
Rubens
1887-1973
Claude B.
Rubens
1889-1967
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