Plaza del Lago has stood proudly along Chicago’s North Shore for nearly a century, offering a glimpse into the glamour and vision of a bygone era. Originally conceived in the 1920s, it is one of the oldest open-air shopping centers in the United States, designed to welcome a new era of automobile-oriented convenience with a distinctly European sensibility.
The site was once part of a spirited unincorporated stretch known as “No Man’s Land,” a freewheeling enclave between Wilmette and Kenilworth that had developed a lively, if unregulated, character in the early 20th century. In 1927, it was transformed into the Spanish Court, a Mediterranean-inspired shopping and entertainment district, complete with stucco facades, red tile roofs, and a central bell tower. Designed around a central parking area, a novel idea at the time, it reflected a bold new model for retail.
At its heart was the Teatro del Lago, a grand movie palace that brought a touch of Hollywood to the North Shore. Lavishly detailed with Spanish-style interiors and state-of-the-art technology of the day, it quickly became a beloved local destination, where generations gathered to experience the magic of the silver screen.
In the decades that followed, the property evolved, reborn as Plaza del Lago, with new retail arcades, fountains, and modern touches layered into the original vision. Yet through every chapter, the plaza remained defined by its architectural charm, lakeside beauty, and community spirit.
Today, Plaza del Lago continues its legacy as a treasured landmark – revitalized with care and imagination to serve a new generation of tastemakers and storytellers. With its thoughtful mix of beloved heritage and contemporary elegance, Plaza del Lago offers more than just a place to shop – it’s a place to belong, to gather, and to experience something beautiful, every day.
