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Brooklyn Paramount Theatre, Long Island University
Brooklyn, NY

H3 was retained for planning and design ser­vices for renovation and rejuvenation of the historic Brooklyn Paramount Theatre at Long Island University. The planned 24-month project to restore the storied venue to its former glory is being undertaken in partnership between Long Island University and Paramount Events Center (PEC), under the management of Barclays Center developer Bruce Ratner, Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark, and Onexim Sports and Entertain­ment.

The Brooklyn Paramount opened its doors in 1928 as an ornate movie palace, one of the first to show talking pictures. The venue later introduced rock and roll and jazz to the borough, hosting artists such as Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. The Para­mount was converted into a gymnasium in the 1960s and was utilized by many genera­tions of Blackbirds basketball champions. Currently used as a multi-purpose space, much of its original luster and Rococo-style architectural details have been preserved. The original 1920s Wurlitzer organ–one of only two of the model ever built—remains operational and can still been heard (and felt) throughout campus during regular tuning exercises.

Long Island University President, Dr. Kimber­ly Cline is instrumental in her support of the project stating, “The renovation of Brooklyn Paramount is a major milestone in the history of LIU and it brings our commitment to the arts—and our role in the arts community—to an entirely new level for our students, faculty, and alumni, and solidifies our role as a major cultural driver in Brooklyn.”

CLIENT: Paramount Events Center (PEC)
SIZE: 56,000SF

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