Revival of Legendary Theatre Underway
Click Here to See Brooklyn News 12 Report on the Event
Executives from BSE Global and Long Island University were joined by Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams in a groundbreaking ceremony for the renovation of the LIU Brooklyn Paramount Theatre, located at the intersection of Flatbush and Dekalb Avenues in Downtown Brooklyn.
The renovation and operation of LIU Brooklyn Paramount Theatre will be overseen by BSE Global, the same team behind Barclays Center and NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. H3 is the architect of record, and Shawmut will be managing the construction.
The renovation will revive the 90-year old venue by retaining and restoring many of its existing features, while modernizing the space to meet today’s standards. The entrance will be moved back to the theatre’s original corner location at Flatbush and Dekalb Avenues; a loge level balcony and box office will be reestablished; and updates will be made to the lighting, restrooms, and sound systems, among many other aesthetic upgrades.
The renovation is expected to create 200 construction jobs, and nearly 100 additional positions at the completed venue.
BSE Global will be responsible for programming the venue, which will be home to a wide range of events. While the theatre’s main focus will be revitalizing its legendary music roots, it will also host a mix of family entertainment, comedy, sporting events, special events, and private programs for LIU students. The 3,000-person capacity venue will house a flexible seating configuration that will accommodate primarily general admission-style setups, with the opportunity also to do seated floor events.
In addition, the revamped venue will provide a variety of opportunities for LIU Brooklyn students to gain hands-on industry experience, including internships, work-study programs, part-time jobs, and more. Below is an architectural rendering of what the refurbished facility may look like once its transformation is completed.
“I am excited to take the next step with the renovation of this historic venue,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of BSE Global. “The addition of Paramount to BSE Global’s venue pipeline, which includes Barclays Center, NYCB LIVE, and Webster Hall, enables us to connect with artists at all points in their career. Paramount will also offer a greater array of entertainment options for Brooklyn and provide employment opportunities for students and those in the surrounding area.”
“The refurbishment of the LIU Paramount Theater is a major milestone in the history of Long Island University,” Long Island University President Dr. Kimberly Cline said. “It brings our commitment to the arts-and our role in the arts community-to an entirely new level for our students, faculty, and alumni, and solidifies our role as a major cultural driver in Brooklyn. There is no better place in the world to learn about the arts than Brooklyn, and there is no University that is more committed to combining great academics taught by world-class faculty, with experiential learning and hands-on opportunities for students.”
Brooklyn Paramount operated from 1928-1962 as a live performance venue and was the first theatre in the world designed to show talking movies. The Rococo-style ceiling and wall trimmings that still remain once served as a grand accompaniment to many celebrated performances by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Bing Crosby, Buddy Holly and Chuck Berry. After closing its doors, the theatre became part of LIU Brooklyn’s campus and served as a multi-purpose space for students, staff and guests. For many years it was the home court of the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds basketball team. To mark the new beginning, the scoreboard was ceremonially lowered to the floor as the guests watched approvingly. Soon a magnificently renovated Paramount will rise again.
