Brooklyn Paramount
385 Flatbush Avenue Extension,
Brooklyn,
NY
11201
385 Flatbush Avenue Extension,
Brooklyn,
NY
11201
49 people
favorited this theater
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When I first toured the theater in the 80’s someone yelled from somewhere over the loudspeaker “Get off the basketball court with those high heels”. I don’t think it was God!! The lobby though kind of bland was still impressive!
I think you’re probably right, Scott.
Thanks for the link Mark. That’s what I was looking for. I’m getting the feeling that they will cover over what is missing, and not replace the loge and missing balcony areas. Hope I’m wrong, but getting a bad feeling. At least it will be a theatre again.
The Kings was way more far gone than the Paramount. The theater itself is in much better condition
https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170524/fort-greene/liu-brooklyn-paramount-theatre-renovation-construction
The rendering pictured in this recent article doesn’t seem to show a full-on restoration. More of an up to date renovation with the remaining parts of the original decor preserved and restored. Plus the organ will remain part of the new theater. But, it’s not much to go on. It’s anyone’s guess what the finished product will look like. Either way, it’s almost unbelievable that the renovation is even happening. Hats off to LIU and all involved.
No doubt they can restore it, but I was just curious if they’ve provided detail on the project, particularly the auditorium, or any renderings, etc. I’m not just assuming this will be a Kings-like restoration, though I sure hope it is.
They have the top half and can replicate the bottom half by using the top part as a guide. To get to 3,000 seats they would have to do upstairs as well If they brought back the Kings anything is possible.Add to that they would have access to photos and the original blueprints.
I haven’t seen much in the way of specifics on the planned renovation. Have any of the announcements touched on whether they plan to restore the balcony, loge and other areas of the auditorium that were lost when it was converted to a gymnasium? Obviously, a lot of the original plasterwork is gone, so replacing it would be a significant task.
Just heard on news the renovation is starting. The seating will be 3,000 seats and not the 1,500 mentioned previously . I want to go back and see the finished product
In May 2016 Billboard reported that renovations would get underway in 2017 with a reopening projected sometime in 2019. http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/touring/7358086/barclays-center-group-forges-long-term-deal-to-renovate-liu
This article from a few days ago refers to the Paramoun project as something imminent: http://www.netsdaily.com/2016/11/30/13791978/prokhorov-in-town-for-win-and-new-acquisitions
Any news? It’s been about 20 months since the announcement…
some more pictures…
http://www.scoutingny.com/scouting-the-remains-of-brooklyns-incredible-paramount-movie-theatre/
MarkDHite: They can take it all the way back to 1928 if they want to. If they were willing to spend the money they could make every detail look like opening day. It’ll be interesting to watch the situation develop.
The theatre has already had a “major alteration” with all of the mezzanine and the front of the balcony removed. Even with a lot of beautiful restoration, the theatre will never be as it was in 1928. But I think it’s spectacular that it’s coming back! And can easily imagine it with 1500 seats. Bravo to Brooklyn! Again!
I imagine they will leave the main floor as is for people like to stand & scream when they see a rock band or other groups. The balcony of course will have seats. There comes the 1500. Similar to the Congress theatre here in chicago. They can cram more in and put in bars where the real money is pouring in. I might be wrong but this would explain the 4,000 into 1,500. Anyway it sounds so very exciting. Marquee & vertical put back is always a thrill.
The above article about the Paramount says the restored theatre will have a seating capacity of 1500! This is surely a mistake, how can you reduce the seating from 4.000 to 1.500 without a major alteration to the auditorium?
I am thrilled the Paramount wii be restored to a 3500 seat venue with a quality 50 Million Dollar restoration. Brooklyn is the comeback kid. The Paramount and the Kings are among the nations most beautiful theatres. The Paramount has one the worlds great organs and the restored theatre will compliment this treasure. Downtown Brooklyn will have two restored former movie palaces the Paramount and the former loew’s Metropolitan now a church. I love the fact that the Paramount wii restore the vertical and canopy Marquee’s which many restored theatres have failed to do which makes the restoration complete. Wow I’m impressed. brucec
Text of article: (Note: at the link, the last photo is upside down!)
Fort Greene’s Paramount Theatre, which for the past half-century has been used as the Long Island University sports complex, is set to be restored to its mid-20th century glory by a partnership of Barclay Center developer Bruce Ratner and Onexim Sports and Entertainment.
The $50 million renovation is set to take place over the course of two years, and in advance of that the university has released a couple renderings on its Flickr account, as well as a few historical photos.
This trend, led by the Loew’s Kings Theater in Flatbush, of formerly majestic Brooklyn theaters being returned to their original uses and levels of magnificence is definitely one that we can get behind.
Link to article about a reborn Paramount is here
Well this news along with the opening of the Kings next week makes me smile from all the way down here in Tennessee!
I don’t want to overstate it, but we’ve been praying for news like this…
HUGE Big News! The Brooklyn Paramount is returning to public use as a music venue! Not a lot of details but I’m sure more to come!
http://gothamist.com/2015/01/29/brooklyn_paramount_barclays.php
You can now take a video tour of the 4/26 Wurlitzer Organ that is still there on UTube at: http://youtu.be/_PygQbt2ios
There was a silent film “The Phantom of the Opera” done with the organ which went over very well except that it was the day before Sandy came and that kept people away but quite a few did show up. The last concert that was open to the public was I don’t even know how many years ago. It is hoped that a concert and 2 or 3 silent movies will be put on each year. Let’s see.
This sounds like fun. Can anyone here report on earlier organ recitals at this theater?