Huntington Bank Pavilion Information

The Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island (formerly known as FirstMerit Bank Pavilion) is an amphitheatre uniquely located on the man-made Peninsula of Northerly Island, Chicago, Illinois. The views from the venue are up there with the best, with Lake Michigan, Burnham Harbor, Soldier Field and the Chicago Skyline. These impressive views are joined by the summer sunsets and coastal wildlife.

The venue is a fairly new establishment opening its doors in 2005 with an initial concert by Earth, Wind & fire. The theatre initially comprised of three stands allowing a seating capacity of 3,666 seats with an admission area of 4,500 seats. In 2010 the venue organizers sought for an expansion. In 2013 the expansion was granted, increasing the seating capacity to 14,000 thousand. Including the introduction to a lawn area which doubles up as a park, with a slope to allow better viewing angles. This lawn area can accommodate 22,000. Another addition is the enhanced audio systems, outputting booming sounds from the centre stage to the crowds of onlookers.

Because of the lakeside views and the views of the Chicago skyline, Soldier Field, and Burnham Harbor, the venue is also known as “Venue with A View.”

The upgraded venue was opened on in June 2013 by by Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band. Since 2005 some there have been exciting performances, such as rock band Incubus, O.A.R. – Rain or Shine and traveling acoustic artist Jason Mraz.

Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island is an outdoor amphitheater venue located on the peninsula Northerly Island, in Chicago, Illinois. The venue is a temporary structure, with the summer concert season running from May or June until September or October. The amphitheater first opened in June 2005. It was previously named the FirstMerit Bank Pavilion, and before that the Charter One Pavilion.

Many past residents call the venue the “Venue with a View” as it has views of Lake Michigan, Burnham Harbor, Soldier Field, and the Chicago skyline. This makes it one of the most scenic places to go to enjoy live music all year round.

Amphitheatre History

The venue lies on the former site of Meigs Field. On March 30, 2003, Mayor Richard M. Daley ordered a midnight demolition of the airfield. The construction crew excavated six large X’s on the runway. Daley stated the continued operation of the airfield was a threat to Chicago’s cityscape, using the events of 9/11 as a reference. No one within state or city government were consulted on the demolition besides Daley. The Federal Aviation Administration fined the city $33,000, with an additional one million paid in grants.

In August 2003, construction crews were sent in to continue demolition of the airfield. Originally, the space was planned to become an aviation museum. Daley refuted the plan and proposed the space become a lakefront park and nature reserve. Within the allocated 91 acres, Northerly Island was born. Over four acres were set aside for the forthcoming music venue.

Meigs Field controversy

The venue is built on the former site of Meigs Field, a single-runway airport that existed from 1948 to 2003. The airport was supposed to continue business until 2011, at which point it would then be turned over to the City of Chicago. 

Following the September 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley ordered the airfield to be demolished. He stated that this was due to the location now being a threat to Chicago, as was a common fear with airfields after the New York attack. 

On March 29th, 2003, the airfield was demolished. There was a fair amount of controversy surrounding this decision, as Daley was the only government official within the city or state government that was consulted. Because of this lack of transparency, the Federal Aviation Administration fined the city of Chicago $33,000, along with an extra one million dollars to be paid in grants. Demolition of the airfield continued in August 2003. 

The area was originally intended to house an aviation museum. However, Mayor Daley had other plans. He proposed that the peninsula be transformed into a nature reserve and lakefront park, leading to the creation of Northerly Island. Four acres of the peninsula’s 91 acres were put aside to create a music venue, as proposed by the Chicago Park District. 

The plan was for the Huntington Bank Pavilion to be a temporary summer venue due to its location on a nature reserve. Work began on the construction of the venue in December 2004, and the structure was set to be set up in June and then disassembled in September. 

Constructing the pavilion

Construction on the venue cost around $1.7 million. Mark Dewalt designed it – from the Chicago-based architecture and design firm Valerio Dewalt Train Associates. 

The Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island officially opened its doors on June 24th, 2005. The first concert performed there was by Earth, Wind & Fire – an American band known for their hit “September.”

An expansion was approved for the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in 2013 and the newly renovated venue opened on June 29th, 2013. 

The venue has been through various names during its life. When the venue was being planned, it was set to be called the Lakefront Pavilion. From June 2005 to June 2013, it was known as Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island. 

With the new renovations in 2013, a new sponsorship deal emerged and the venue was once again renamed to FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island. 

The venue finally got its current name – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island – in January 2017 when Huntington Bank acquired FirstMerit Bank. 

What’s It Like at Huntington Bank Pavilion

You can look to the reviews and see that Huntington Bank Pavilion is popular with event goers across the country. But what is it that makes it stand out?

First, many reviews will tell you that they recruit only the best staff. The team handling the various stations and amenities are there to provide professional, courteous, and welcoming assistance no matter what you need. Guests always feel like they’re welcome VIP guests or warm and expected visitors whenever they drop by.

The venue also has a history of excellent music and comedy shows all year round including upcoming shows by Barenaked Ladies and Dave Matthews Band and the Goo Goo Dolls just to name a few. And with the state of the art stage lighting and sound tech, you can feel close to the show whether you’re on the lawn or up close and personal in front of the stage.

Most importantly, it’s got a great location as its around the corner from the best attractions and sightseeing that Chicago has to offer. Definitely a five-star experience worth your time.