Newark Paramount theater

[195Broadway]

I caught this while looking around on the web and thought it was interesting. Does anyone have photos of this building inside and out as it exists today?

http://cinematreasures.org/theater/4603/

[JCMAN320]

I can get you a photo of the outside. It's pretty dingy with a 99 cent clothes store operating out of it.

[block944]

Its for sale with plans to renovate it with condo/housing in the back

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj282/fraz11nj/NewarkNJ/P1030560.jpg

Here it is now.


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Paramount Theater owner looks to restore venue's glory

By Mike Rispoli

April 09, 2009, 8:41PM

Mae West's stage revue set a box office record there in 1939. Years later, a young Jerry Lewis walked its aisles as an usher. It's marquee routinely illuminated downtown Newark.
Today, however, the old Paramount Theater on Market Street is a shell of its former self. It's been more than two decades since a film played there. The stage and mezzanine seating remain, but are obscured in cold darkness for want of electricity. The lobby houses small retailers on month-to-month leases. But Morris Shasho, who paid $2 million for the theater two years ago, wants to return the Paramount to its former glory.
http://blog.nj.com/ledgerupdates_impact/2009/04/large_paramount%20theater.JPGJohn O'Boyle/The Star-LedgerThe facade of the old Paramount Theater on Market Street.
He's hoping the success of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium and the Prudential Center can help not only revitalize the Paramount but also the entire neighborhood.
"We've been talking to entertainment companies," said Shasho, who owns several other downtown buildings. "I've been waiting for what's happening in this area for 15, 20 years. This is about a 15-minute ride to Manhattan. You're going to see a lot of rehabilitated residential buildings in Newark."
Shasho admits it won't be easy.
The theater, he said, would need a significant rehabilitation to reopen as a single or multi-screen moviehouse or small concert venue. And he's not adverse to finding a name-brand retailer or pharmacy chain to take the space if his financial patience wears thin.
Still, he knows the intrinsic value of what was once one of Newark's great moviehouses, which boasted nearly 2,000 seats and still retains its classic art deco facade, vertical Paramount sign and Newark marquee. Its mass of yellow and white light bulbs -- darkened with its 1986 closing -- is largely intact.
"Somebody wanted to buy the marquee," Shasho said. "I said, 'No.'"
http://blog.nj.com/ledgerupdates_impact/2009/04/large_paramount%20morris.JPGJohn O'Boyle/The Star-LedgerMorris Shasho, owner of the Paramount, stands in front of the old theater.
Stefan Pryor, Newark's deputy mayor for economic development and housing and a trustee of the Newark Downtown District, said the Market Street neighborhood is approaching a crossroads, perhaps best seen in plans for 100 new residential units nearby.
"Those residents will be walking the streets and looking for restaurants and retail even on non-event days and nights," Pryor said. "What's emerging is a new neighborhood."
Another property owner on the block, Martin Weber, is also betting on the spillover from the Prudential center to boost business. He has opened a Quiznos Subs and a Dunkin' Donuts to pump up national-brand commerce into a downtown block long a symbol of neglect.
Weber is also renovating the top floor of his Market Street building into apartments and marvels from its huge windows looking out at the Paramount marquee and the ornate cornice and gargoyles of the historic block.
"Built it and they will come. That's my motto."
But Martin Goldman, another Market Street property owner, isn't as optimistic.
"What spillover effect?" he said. "If you look from the arena to our place, it looks like the Bronx war zone."
The block from Broad to Mulberry needs to be re-developed en masse, he said. "Just like they did with the arena," Goldman said.
"We're paying taxes, $100,000 a year in taxes," he said of his largely vacant properties. "We have bites, but nothing. We were told miracles would happen if the arena was built, and I'm waiting for the miracles."
The abundance of venues in the region is also of concern when it comes to the future of the Paramount.
"As a concert promoter, if I was going to do a show in North Jersey, I'd pick the Wellmont (in Montclair), NJPAC or New Jersey Symphony Hall," said Carl Freed of New York-based Trevanna Entertainment. "I just don't see room for another one."
Freed, who lives in Montclair, is the son of the late character actor Bert Freed, whose roles included the police chief in 1953's "Invaders From Mars" and the hangman in 1968's "Hang 'Em High." His father's images very likely once flashed on the Paramount's big screen.
"Yes. They probably did," he said. "I would love a great new movie theater down there, but then again millions of dollars in investment for a movie theater?"

[newarkhiphop]

But Martin Goldman, another Market Street property owner, isn't as optimistic.
"What spillover effect?" he said. "If you look from the arena to our place, it looks like the Bronx war zone."


wow , he makes it sound like downtown is vietnam, that place would make a good restaurant

[NewarkDevil5]

Matt Gosser is doing an art exhibit on Newark's old theater district and here's a link to the site photography which includes photographs of the ruined stunning interiors of the Paramount and Proctor Theaters:

http://www.gosser.info/current-b0.htm

[alex@newark]

I think this would be so good for the downtown district and the city alone! HOPEFULLY IT GETS DONE. but i just hope when or if it gets built none of these ghetto people ruin it

[Newarkguy]

wow , he makes it sound like downtown is vietnam, that place would make a good restaurant Martin Goldman is another piece of sh*t landbanker!! Most of Downtown is owned by the same Jews and occasional asians from the old chinatown area near Mulberry street who abandoned Newark. Goldman continues to own property in this "Bronx war zone" Why not sell it? WEll, They are too greedy to let go of the rental income.They hate this city because, in their view...Blacks chased and burned them out. They are bitter.
As a result, these individuals, such as Goldman, regardless whether he's a lifelong ,or recent Newark landlord,refuse to renovate their buildings. ALL BUILDINGS ALONG MARKET STREET,ARE ABANDONED FROM THE SECOND OR THIRD STORY UP!! Only the sidewalk retail stores are open and habitable!!

[stache]

Lower East Side used to be like that.

[alex@newark]

only if someday they fix all of downtown newark the second and third levels can become new retails but the first thing that needs to be done is to fix the buildings and take those huge signs out they really make downtown look ugly and small for some reason.

[stache]

More likely they would be converted to loft apartments, like SoHo.

[alex@newark]

true but i just wonder when would we start to see some redeveloping being done in downtown

[stache]

I understand they're redoing the building right now on the Southeast corner of Broad/Market for student housing.

[alex@newark]

oh is it the one that has game stop? and if u have information can u please post it so i can see but if u dont then thanks anyways:o

[stache]

If memory serves it is white terra cotta L shaped and about 10/12 floors. There may be a game stop at the first floor.

[alex@newark]

ohh okay its right next to bank of america hopefully by next year in july it will look a bit different.

[scrollhectic]

I think you're thinking of the Fireman's Insurance Building. My understand is that nothing is going on in that building. For a while, they had scaffolding up, but that's because the facade was falling apart and endagering pedestrians. Nothing is planned for that site. It's a shame cause it's a beautiful building.

[stache]

Sorry my bad. I must have misread something.

[alex@newark]

oh another building i heard that they were suppose to turn into a hotel was the one next to the church in back of the prudential center??

[block944]

nope.

[alex@newark]

so what is the future for the newark paramount theater?? anyone??

[newarkdevil1]

I see the building too the right was workedon and has loft space now but the owner of the paramount seems to prefer being a slumlord..

[alex@newark]

I have seen those 2 stores on the side of the paramount theater hopefully those new stores will become something helpfull to to the city not another hair or thug store But something that will attrack people and help the theater come back alive.

[Newarkguy]

I have seen those 2 stores on the side of the paramount theater hopefully those new stores will become something helpfull to to the city not another hair or thug store But something that will attrack people and help the theater come back alive.
Unfortunately, the storefront just east has become ocupied by the apostate false "Universal (Stop Suffering) Church" Which preaches financial riches from Christ to those who join!!!! ( what happened to Christ's forgiveness and salvation ?)...............sick. Another ghetto tax exempt property. The only person getting better financially there will be the crooked smooth talking flattering pastor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Newarkguy]

so what is the future for the newark paramount theater?? anyone??

Well, either AMC LOEWS ,or REGAL,or KERASOTES converts it into a multiplex, or it gets demolished and the facade is preserved like that stupid church shell at Lincoln Park that reminds me of World war 2 wartime European ruins!!! OR....another narrow surface parking lot. My pessimism leads toward the latter two.