Paramount Theatre
195 Market Street,
Newark,
NJ
07102
195 Market Street,
Newark,
NJ
07102
15 people
favorited this theater
Opened on October 11, 1886 as H.C. Miner’s Newark Theatre. It was originally a vaudeville house managed by Hyde & Behman Amusement Co., a Brooklyn based theatre management company. After H.C. Miner’s death in 1900, his surviving relatives retained ownership of the theatre for several years until its sale in 1916 to Edward Speigel, the owner of the nearby Strand Theatre. Speigel also purchased the building next to the theatre with intent to use the space to expand the theatre. To accomplish this he hired famed theatre architect Thomas W. Lamb to do the alterations. In 1917, Thomas Lamb remodeled the theatre in an Adam style.
The former Paramount Theatre still boasts the vertical ‘Paramount’ sign, as well as the ‘Newark’ marquee. The Paramount Theatre was closed on April 1, 1986.
Although a retail store operated out of the former lobby until around April 2011, a store employee confirmed that behind the drop ceilings and walls remains much of the old theatre, complete with stage area and balcony seating intact.
Contributed by
Marty Nartinez
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Recent comments (view all 67 comments)
I would just like to add to what LuisV said. I work as a stagehand at the prudential center. Most times I get parking in the deck next door. But there are times, as was the case a week ago after the Stones concert, that I had to park blocks away on the street. The first time a year or so ago I was nervous about doing this, but now, even at 4 am I felt safe and ok. As far as the Paramount, as well as the Adams and the Proctors, it is truely a shame they are just rotting away. Its too bad years ago when they were building the NJPac that someone didnt just think about saving these structures, which still have more beauty than anything new built today.
I was in the area today and took some photos of the Paramount and one of the Adams'….I doubt these movie palaces will be resurrected. But I hope I’m wrong.
Willburg145, you know that the Proctors also stands in Newark, not far from the Adams.
markp yes I remember seeing the name Proctor on a wall when I went to see the Adams.
Was just in Newark working at the arena 2 weeks ago. Walked by all 3 of these theatres. Such a shame how they just sit there and rot away.
Can’t believe this nor how the Adams looks! Is anything being done to restore these historical sites?
Patsy, you think these two are bad, you should see the pictures of the Proctors Theatre in Newark.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/05/one_mans_fight_to_save_the_paramount_di_ionno.html#incart_river_index
I doubt the theater will be saved, but it’s nice to see someone cares.
The Paramount is one of the 24 theaters in my new book, “After the Final Curtain: The Fall of the American Movie Theater,” which is available on Amazon or your local bookstore
I was just in Newark today for a job interview and while I was taking a selfie of myself in front of the marquee…I was berated by local denizens “is that your welcome sign?”. I am educated and have no idea what they were saying…but it is such a shame that this place is not open. I have a certain cinephilic thirst for movie palaces…I have been told that it is tragically in horrible shape internally :( Apparently, they haven’t had anything inside for 30 years or better…