Paramount Building

The Paramount Building at 1501 Broadway in the heart of Midtown Manhattan is a busy office building today, but it tells a fascinating story of the city's cultural life. The building originally housed the Paramount Theatre, a magnificent movie palace with more than 3,600 seats that opened in 1926 and served for many years as the New York headquarters of Paramount Pictures. The company's founder, Adolph Zukor, kept an office here until his death in 1976. The theater was not only a place for film screenings but quickly became one of the most important stages for live music in the United States. During the swing era, legendary big bands such as those of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, and Tommy Dorsey performed here, cementing the venue's reputation as a leading band house. Later, pioneering moments in rock and pop music took place here as well, including the world premiere of Elvis Presley's first film and performances by acts such as Buddy Holly & The Crickets.

The theater's architecture and furnishings were far ahead of their time and drew great attention. One highlight was the massive Wurlitzer theater organ, built especially for the organist Jesse Crawford; weighing 33 tons and with 36 ranks, it was among the largest and most admired instruments of its kind. It accompanied silent films and was later used for solo performances as well. The visual design of the interior, especially the frescoes in the dome and the Grand Hall, was the work of the well-known artist Louis Grell, who was known for his work in many theaters of the Paramount chain. These artistic elements contributed greatly to the glamorous atmosphere that made the theater a popular gathering place for celebrities and fans alike.

After the theater closed in 1964, the space was converted into office and retail space, with the original entrance area initially sealed off and the famous facade removed. The building also served for a time as a location for the New York Times. In the late 1990s, the World Wrestling Federation tried to revive the historic character by reconstructing the iconic arched facade and the neon sign with the Paramount logo and by converting the ground floor into a themed club and restaurant. After that concept came to an end, a Hard Rock Cafe moved into the space in 2003. Today the Paramount Building is known mainly as an office complex still used by Paramount Pictures, while the historic Wurlitzer organ continues to be played for concerts at an event center in Kansas.