Paramount Theater
1700 Main Street,
Springfield,
MA
1103
1700 Main Street,
Springfield,
MA
1103
6 people
favorited this theater
Built in 1926, at a cost of over $1 million, the Paramount Theater, was the most ornate theate in Western Massachusetts in its glory days as a picture palace.
It remained a movie theater until the 1960’s when it began to find sporadic use as a mixed center for movies, concerts and live performances. The theater was also once run by Western Massachusetts Theatres which at one time owned almost all of the single screen palaces in the area including the Rivoli, Calvin, bing, and others.
It was not until 1999 that the theater had a stable operator again, when it was purchased, restored, and converted into a lavish night club and performace space. The main floors seats were removed, but the 1,100 balcony seats were retained and restored. The theater underwent a $1.3 million makeover and was reopened as the Hippodrome Theater. The original organ is due to be restored in the future and the marquee was also been changed to reflect the new name.
The Hippodrome Theater, after years of sitting alone as Springfield continued to wither, is back. In 2009, it was renamed Paramount Theater and is under renovation. It reopened April 7, 2010 after renovations and the installation of a new sprinkler system.
Contributed by
Ross Melnick
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Recent comments (view all 27 comments)
A friend and I were cruising around Springfield today, sightseeing, and I wanted to show her the theater. When we drove up there were some young guys outside and a door open. I asked if we could go in, one said no, but another said OK and led us inside. There weren’t a lot of lights on but it looked to be in great shape. The main floor was covered with small tables and chairs for the club, which they said has been closed for about 2 years but hopes to reopen in about 8 months, after the roof is redone. The organ was up out of it’s hole on the stage. They said they believe it still works. Word came from another guy outside that we had to leave. The marquee needs some work too.
Big updates!
Owners Michael Barasso and Steven Stein announced they have closed on a loan that will allow them to pay off the Hippodrome’s tax liens and upgrade the sprinkler system to meet the new codes and allow them to reopen the venue! The loan will also be used to buy out the other owners, and complete the Phase II renovations. The name is being changed back to the Paramount.
Phase I was the extensive renovation done before the place opened as the Hippodrome in 2000. Phase II will complete interior renovations started in Phase I, as well as upgrad restrooms, construct a new marquee and renovations to the outer facade.
Once Phase II is completed, the Paramount will re-open (sometime in late 2009)
Phase III will involve renovating the upper floors of the lobby portion of the building into offices, housing and Artisan “live-work” space.
Barasso and Stein have long and successful histories in managing a number of major nightclubs in massachusetts including the Roxy in Boston and Palladium in Worcester among others.
Read more at their page at:
http://paramounttheater.blogspot.com/
It will once again me known as the Paramount Theatre
I forgot to mention…
One of the photos on their website showed the organ console raised during a wedding reception. I don’t know if the organ is actually playable at present (an earlier post said it was not in playable condition), but at least the console has been cleaned up enough to be presentable. Hopefully someone can get it in condition to have organ concerts.
Just found out, the organ is indeed in playable condition, “playing better than it has in years” – looks like some restoration has been done and they are organizing volunteers to continue with restoration and maintenance. Hopefully there will be some organ concerts to come. This is one of the few organs remaining as originally installed in its original theatre.
The paramount is reopening! First event will be April 7, 2010, and more are on their calendar!
Cool.
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“As Springfield continued to wither..?” Has the author of this write-up visited Springfield in the past half decade or so? The opposite of “withering” is currently occurring in Metro Center Springfield.
With all of the new arts and entertainment organizations that have formed in Springfield within the past few years (Apremont Arts jumps immediately to mind;) and all of the bohemians, LGBT residents, and empty-nesters who have recently moved to Metro Center condominiums, in my opinion, this city is likely to “take off” within the next few years (especially in light of the billions of dollars in infrastructure, medical, entertainment, and medical construction.)
As to the Paramount, it was recently purchased by Herbie Flores' Farmer Workers' Council – a group interested in bringing more arts to Springfield. Currently, the former Hippodrome is being renovated to the tune of $1.725 million. According to Mr. Flores, the Paramount will continue to host movies and concerts, but will also feature a new coffeehouse and upscale Spanish restaurant.
I realize that a lot of people who haven’t been to Springfield recently probably do not understand or know much about the renaissance currently underway in the city; however, in my opinion, many will likely know soon.
This opened on September 29th, 1929. The grand opening ad is uploaded in the photo section.
Any word on any progress at this theater? I see that it was sold last summer but I can’t find any information about any renovations or plans to reopen.
I remember seeing Santana her in the 1980’s. I also saw Taj Mahal, who is from Springfieldat the Paramount.