Northlight Theatre’s New Home Continues to Rise in Downtown Evanston

March 20, 2026

Northlight Theatre’s New Home Continues to Rise in Downtown Evanston

Construction continues to move forward on Northlight Theatre’s long-anticipated new home at 1012 Church Street in downtown Evanston. The project marks a major milestone for the celebrated theater company as it prepares to return to Evanston after decades in Skokie.

Designed as a vibrant new cultural destination, the new facility will provide Northlight with a permanent home in the heart of downtown. The building will feature a 280-seat mainstage theater, rehearsal and support spaces, and a welcoming lobby designed to serve as a gathering place for audiences and the broader community.

Recent coverage highlights the visible progress taking shape on site, with the exterior now largely complete and interior work continuing as the project advances toward its planned opening later this year. Once complete, the theater is expected to strengthen Evanston’s arts and entertainment landscape while contributing to the continued energy and growth of the downtown district.

For Northlight Theatre, the project represents both a physical homecoming and an important investment in the future of live performance on the North Shore. The new venue will give the organization a purpose-built space to support its productions, engage audiences, and expand its role as a cultural anchor for the community.

Eckenhoff Saunders is proud to serve as architect for this transformative project and to partner with Northlight Theatre in bringing its next chapter to life in Evanston.