The Paramount Theater was honored on November 6th at the Visions for Architecture Gala in Richmond, VA hosted by the Virginia Society of AIA (American Institute of Architecture). The AIA awarded the historic Paramount Theater with Society Honors.
The honors program recognizes the best efforts of Virginians who, by profession or avocation, have made creating, preserving, and enhancing Virginia’s communities an important life commitment. Society Honors may be bestowed by the Virginia Society AIA on non-member individuals or organizations who have inspired, influenced, or complemented the architecture profession in Virginia. Contributions may be made through allied professions, research, education, planning, legislation, architectural writing(s), the arts, and crafts.
Designed by Chicago architectural firm Rapp & Rapp to evoke Virginia’s Jeffersonian neoclassical tradition, The Paramount Theater opened on Thanksgiving Eve 1931. The theater made memories for generations of area families, hosting four decades of movies and community events. Efforts to save the theater from threats of demolition began almost immediately following its 1974 closing. After its 1992 purchase by the non-profit Paramount Theater, Inc., with the help of many contributors, including businesses, individuals and foundations and the state, city and county, the restored Paramount opened in December 2004 with a performance by Tony Bennett. In The Paramount’s first five years, more than 225,000 patrons have attended more than 480 events – dance, bluegrass, blues, Celtic, classical, country, folk, gospel, jazz, R&B, and world music; comedy; drama and musicals; family shows; The Met opera: Live in HD transmissions; and films.
For further information about this award and about the Theater, email The Paramount.
