Preservation, landmarks expert reviews Paramount Theatre art replicas
by David Rosen
Members of the Boston Landmarks Commission, the Boston Preservation Alliance and the Emerson College community recently reviewed replicas of historic artwork that will be used to adorn the Paramount Theatre, which is undergoing extensive renovation as part of the College's Paramount Center project on Washington Street.
The replicas were presented by Jeff Greene, president of EverGreene Painting Studios in New York City and an authority on preservation and restoration of landmark theaters, including Emerson's own Cutler Majestic.
Built in 1932 as a picture palace, the landmark Paramount Theatre closed its doors in 1976 and has fallen into disrepair. Emerson is renovating it for adaptive reuse as a live performance venue with 565 seats. Evergreene is creating replicas of the original Art Deco ornaments and paintings based on photos and remnants that have survived. The theater will host performances by local and national arts groups and will also be used by Emerson students.
In addition to the Paramount Theatre, the new Center will also include a Performance Development Center (PDC) and a residence hall for some 260 students. The PDC will house multiple rehearsal and practice rooms, a black box theater, a film screening room, a scene shop, classrooms and offices.
Construction began in 2007 and is expected to be completed in 2009.