Loew's Paradise Theatre
2413 Grand Concourse,
Bronx,
NY
10468
2413 Grand Concourse,
Bronx,
NY
10468
55 people
favorited this theater
Showing 701 - 725 of 799 comments found
All of the pessemistic individuals submitting comments should observe the progress that is coming to the bronx. Garbage Strewn lots that were deemed tragic and unlivable now have homes on them selling at market rate because of people like me who stayed behind to fight and live through it. My family and I have been here for three generations and refuse to leave because this place is a reminder of who we are. It is a borough that is diverse, full of green open spaces, culture, and art. The Bronx is far from perfect, but it is authentic. It is ever changing work in progress. It is because of hope and optimism that the South Bronx is now attracting artists to reside in formerly abandoned factory lofts and set up trendy galleries. It is because of hope and optimism that upper and middle class residents are moving across the east river from manhattan to rent market rate apartments and buy old brownstones that were once run by slumlords and drug dealers. The Bronx is recovering from the devastation that hit the entire city in the 1970’s and it is because of hope and optimism that the Loews Paradise will again be a magnificent venue!!!
Three blocks north of the Paradise, on the east side of Grand Goncourse is Edgar Allan Poe Cottage located in the renovated Poe Park. The humble home of the famous poet is a small museum run by the Bronx County Historical Society that also attracts many visitors.
Two blocks north of the Paradise, the lobby of the large old Alexanders Dept. Store building (now called: 2 Fordham Square, abandoned after the company went bankrupt) there is a permanent exhibition of photographs depicting the area’s history. The once vacant eyesore now houses classrooms for the City University of NY, a bank, Gym and other retail venues contributing to the renniscance of the area. This is a sign of progress in NYC’s third largest shopping district rivaled only by Herald and Time Square. As for parking, there are two indoor garages across the street from the theater facing 187th St. There is no question about efficient transportation in this transit hub. The D and 4 express trains both stop at Fordham Road as well as the metro north. The 12 bus coming from inwood stops at the Grand Concourse as well as the private liberty lines express busses coming from the upper east side of Manhattan. There are also the Bee Line busses that come down from as far as Rye New York and stop at Fordham Rd. Of course for local commuters there are a number of local busses incliding the 1 and 2 that stop nearby.
On the East side of Fordham Rd. are two distinguished cultural institutions: The Bronx Zoo and the lovely 250 acre New York Botanical Garden which attract millions of visitors annually.Nearby on 187th St. and Arthur Ave. lies the heart of Little Italy where the aroma from sidewalk cafe’s, Bakeries and the indoor Italian market, tantelizes the tastebuds. The Belmont playhouse is also located in this area. Little Italy attracts many people from the tri-state area and around the world even though there is practically no parking or direct transportation except for The Bronx Culture Trolley that transports visitors to cultural venues and Art Galleries in the North and South Bronx. On Webster Ave and Fordham Rd. is the entrance to the prestigious Fordham University’s Rose Hill Campus that houses a large collection of gothic buildings and privileged anglosaxon students that sometimes walk up Fordham Rd to ride the subway downtown at all hours even though the Metro North train station is adjacent to the campus and could get them to Grand Central Station in twenty minutes.
Hello Everyone,
The Loews Paradise sits elegantly in her faded glory on the Grand Concourse. I live on the Grand Concourse which is a wide Boulevard that was regarded as the Bronx Park Avenue. I do believe that the Paradise will come back. Believe it or not, the Bronx is home to slums and grand country estates. There are good areas and bad alike. First of all I can tell you that I have shopped in the Fordham area dressed to the nines concealing my bargains in shopping bags from Barneys, Saks, and other stores without ever being bothered before. The Fordham area is far from an urban utopia but culture thrives here.
You Are Correct Robert. It could be wasted monies in a neighborhood where the old gal won’t be appreciated. Very sad indeed. Sometimes its better to have the fond memories.
I remember when they spent all that money restoring the Queens Theatre in Queens Village. The theatre did no buisness, and that neighborhood is nowhere as dangerous as where the Paradise is. I only hope the restoration of the Paradise is not in vain.
Work is progressing nicely at The Paradise! It’s slated for a February Grand Opening, but may be ready sooner!
Not Safe Means It Will NOT DO BIZNESS! There’s a reason that the old girl is closed.
Be as PC as you like, you take YOUR family there. I work there and know from first hand knowledge that the neighborhood is unsafe. Period.
The neighborhood is far from terrible.
Yes the subway stops right up the street on Fordham Road. I agree it would be like going to Madison Sq Garden on the subway.I just heard the neighborhood is terrible. It may not be safe to walk.
The Paradise is easily reached by subways and buses from all over the NYC area. It never provided parking facilities even in its heyday, so I don’t think that will be a major problem if it provides attractions that the public wants to see.
The absence of adequate parking is one major reason that many movie palaces never reopen. A major expense in planning to reopen such is for an adjacent or nearby parking structure, since it is usually figured that there should be one parking space for every third seat, which would mean a LARGE parking area in the case of the PARADISE. Still, we hope it reopens!
Any updates on when and if the Paradise will open? Will they have concerts comedy movies plays? Unlike the Loew’s Jersey which has two parking garages and the path trail right accross the street.The Paradise has no parking garage close by.
When “Meet Me in St. Louis” first played the Loew’s Greater New York circuit in early 1945, it had already proved such a big hit that it was shown as a single feature, with only short subjects added. Curious, because the movie ran only 113 minutes, but I guess that Loew’s wanted to turn over as many seats as possible…Although it might have seemed an ideal choice for Radio City Music Hall, the movie opened instead on Broadway at the Astor Theatre, followed by a move-over to Loew’s State, where it was shown with vaudeville before going on to the Loew’s circuit.
75 years ago, the Wonder Theaters were built and became prime showcases for all the great MGM product over the next 3 decades. The only Wonder Theater showing film today is Loew’s Jersey but, sadly, they are not playing any MGM product in their 75th anniversary programming.
However, the beautifully restored Lafayette Theater in Suffern, New York salutes the Loew’s Wonder Theaters by presenting a newly restored 35mm print of one of MGM’s greatest musicals, “Meet Me in St. Louis.” It will be shown this Saturday, September 25 as part of their weekly Big Screen Classics series. They will also present a vintage MGM short, and will play live music on their magnificent Wurlitzer organ.
For more information, visit their website at www.bigscreenclassics.com
Hi, I am on the verge of writing a newspaper article about the Loew’s Paradise Theatre. Right now I am in the process of doing research. I am searching for people with intresting and compelling stories or pictures to feature in my article. If you or anybody you know has a story or pictures, contact me at
Melanie,
The theater you are referring to is the Ohio Theater in Columbus, OH. It was saved from the wrecking ball and restored to its former glory. It took years of hard work and fundraising and it certainly was worth it. Its a gorgeous theater. Its now used as a performing arts center for concerts and touring plays.
Well Mr. Katz I can only hope you’re right. Are there any plans to restore the exterior facade of the building?
Dow,
The brand new balcony seats were installed last week. This reopening IS going to happen.
I went to The Paradise many times in the mid/late 70’s with my Mom and Dad. The place was in decline even back then. I do remember clearly the twinkling lights on the ceilings and the impressive interior of the place. Ashtrays on the back of every other seat! You could see that at one time the theater was a real sight to behold.
I now work in the area and drive past The Paradise every day. I hate to burst anyone’s bubble, but it’s not going to be reopened. The area is in such horrible shape that I don’t believe any theater could function there. Remember the RKO Fordham and The Valentine? They’re closed too because of how miserable a neighborhood the area has unfortunately become.
So very sad really.
This is awesome news !!!!!! Now lets see if the Kings rises also.
I hear that the Paradise is being restored and shall reopen in February 2005 as a venue for live entertainment and movies.
Well, I’m very glad to hear about the activity going on, especially the theatre seats. I hope they are the original ones that had been warehoused. Thanks for the good news Joel! Keep us posted, will ya?
Actually, it is possible to attract big names with a non-union performance hall, if the hall is treated as a ‘rental’ location and not as the producer of the event. At the theater I run, (granted, it is in Boston not NYC)we do not have any union stagehands, etc, and yet we have attracted many big names like Springsteen, Norah Jones, Cheap Trick, etc. We do not financially support our live shows, other people produce them (and profit/lose from them) and we merely collect a rental fee. And we have a union projection booth besides this and there have been no problems.
This might not work in NYC, but then again, maybe it could. Worth a shot just the same.