Their wish was to create a community center for Waukegan that provided high-quality entertainments as well as commercial and living spaces.

Flourishing growth in this city north of Chicago, justified the building of a deluxe and luxurious movie theater that was unparalleled at the time throughout most of the country.

Waukegan contractor Alva Weeks and Chicago Architect Edward P. Steinberg were hired to construct the theatre.

Over 1200 yards of tapestry fabric, several tons of marble from the Carrera quarries in Italy, and lighting throughout the Theatre combine to make it the most lavish building in Waukegan, IL.

From the street and within its walls, the Genesee Theatre is reminiscent of the hope and beauty of the early 20th century and remains a center of the Waukegan community.