549-563 Washington Street | 1930-1932 | Arthur H. Bowditch
GORGEOUS ART DECO RENOVATION COMPLETE, THE PARAMOUNT REOPENED IN MARCH 2010!
One of the city's first theatres built exclusively for moving pictures, The Paramount has landmark status, but was closed in February, 1976, and suffered fire and water damage and neglect for three decades. The 3-bay Moderne facade is articulated with flat, vertical design elements characteristic of the 1930s. The central bay is defined by cable-fluted pilasters rising from the marquee to the roofline. Side bays feature single elongated windows covered by metal grillwork in geometric patterns.
Once the most elaborate Art Deco interior in Boston, it seated about 1500 and featured polished oriental walnut and African ebony walls and Art Deco wall murals with geometric patterns and stylized shells and flowers. Much of the ornamentation was painted with gold leaf.
The renovation of the façade and sign were completed in 2004, and the theatre finally was restored and reopened in March, 2010. The sign features a dazzling array of 7,000 light bulbs, which culminate in champagne bubbles. Emerson College now owns the theatre and has completely restored its elaborate Art Deco interiors. Though the theatre space has been somewhat modified, and is now smaller than the original, it has been returned to its Art Deco glory with murals, pilasters, scones, sculpture, and an ornate decorated ceiling all modeled on the original designs.
