Its centerpiece was a 1,300-seat theater, which is considered by architectural historians to be one of the greatest collaborations between Adler and Sullivan.

Opened in 1891,[1] the Schiller Theater was originally funded by former Illinois Staats-Zeitung publisher Anton C. Hesing (1823-1895) and other German investors and was projected to be used for German-language operas and cultural events.

A portion of this arcade is now integrated into the façade of The Second City's theater in Chicago.

After a long decline that began in the 1930s, the Garrick was razed early in 1961 and replaced with a parking structure.

[1] The demolition instigated a large outcry and is considered to be one of the first wide-scale preservation efforts in Chicago.