Inside Paramount when it was a theater. (Courtesy of LIFE)
Brooklyn is bringing back its old theaters this year! The gorgeous Kings Theatre will reopen in all its restored glory next week, and now Barclays Center affiliate Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment will bring the historic Brooklyn Paramount Theatre back to life. This is in conjunction with Long Island University, which purchased it in 1960 to use as a gym. According to Billboard, the circa 1928 theater (which has a capacity of 1,500) will start hosting shows this year.
As a gym. (Courtesy of LIFE)
Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark told Billboard, "We felt that this would be the next step in the evolution of our partnership with LIU, that we should work collaboratively and start bringing some great content there, not only for the student body, but also for the public." Presumably they'll keep the massive 2,000 pipe Wurlitzer organ in place.
While the venue originated as a movie theater, many legends performed there—including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Buddy Holly. It was one of the borough's early homes of rock n' roll.
Paramount Theater is located at 1 University Plaza at the intersection of Flatbush and DeKalb.
