1501 Broadway
Encyclopedia
1501 Broadway, also known as the Paramount Building, is a 33-story, 131.5 m (431 ft) office building located between West 43rd and 44th Streets in the Times Square
neighborhood of Manhattan
, New York City
. It once housed the Paramount Theatre.
The structure is currently the 360th tallest building in New York City. It was designated a New York City Landmark in 1988.
Paramount president Adolph Zukor
had acquired a controlling interest in the Chicago-based Balaban and Katz
theater chain, and with it the services of Sam Katz
, who became the head of Paramount's theater division. Balaban and Katz had a long working relationship with the Chicago architectural firm Rapp and Rapp
(C.W Rapp and George L. Rapp), which had designed numerous theaters for his company in the Midwest. They later hired the firm to design their new Manhattan flagship theatre and office tower. The Rapp brothers created a thirty-three story office tower which was influenced by the Art Deco
style, and a theatre in the palatial Neo-Renaissance
style behind it. The theatre closed in 1964 and was torn down in 1967.
Today, the Paramount Building is known for its large four-faced clock near the top of the pyramidial architectural feature, with the hours denoted by five-pointed stars, topped by an ornamental glass globe. At the outset of World War II
, the globe and clock were painted black to maintain blackout conditions for fear of an enemy invasion; they were restored in 1996.
The theater entrance at the front of the Paramount Building is marked by a five story arch on Broadway with an elaborate curved marquee, which was restored in 2007. A long gallery passed from there through the office building to reach the theater itself, which occupied the rear of the building which extends through the middle of the block between 43rd and 44th streets. This structure included a long grand lobby along the south end which opened into the auditorium facing a stage at the north end. The lobby was modeled after the Paris Opera House
with white marble columns, balustrades and an opening arms grand staircase. Within the auditorium, the drapes were colored in red velvet and the rugs were designed in a similar red. The interior of it was very high but somewhat shallow as necessitated by its allotted space. In addition, a large orchestra pit could be raised and lowered from the basement for theatric use.
Times Square
Times Square is a major commercial intersection in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets...
neighborhood of Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. It once housed the Paramount Theatre.
The structure is currently the 360th tallest building in New York City. It was designated a New York City Landmark in 1988.
History
Paramount Pictures, one of the major American motion picture companies in the 1920s, built its headquarters at the 1501 Broadway location along with a cinematic theatre. Construction lasted a year between 1926-1927 costing $13.5 million. At the time of its completion, it was the tallest building in Times Square, and once sported an observation deck.Paramount president Adolph Zukor
Adolph Zukor
Adolph Zukor , born Adolph Cukor, was a film mogul and founder of Paramount Pictures.-Early life:...
had acquired a controlling interest in the Chicago-based Balaban and Katz
Balaban and Katz
The first incarnation of the Balaban and Katz Theatre corporation appeared in 1916 in Chicago by A. J. Balaban, Barney Balaban, Sam Katz, and Morris Katz. It held its first meeting as a Delaware corporation on January 21, 1925. Famous Players-Lasky Corporation bought a controlling interest in...
theater chain, and with it the services of Sam Katz
Sam Katz
Samuel Michael Katz, OM is the 42nd mayor of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is also a businessperson and a member of the Order of Manitoba.- Life before mayorship :...
, who became the head of Paramount's theater division. Balaban and Katz had a long working relationship with the Chicago architectural firm Rapp and Rapp
Rapp and Rapp
The architectural firm Rapp and Rapp was active in Chicago, Illinois during the early 20th century. The brothers Cornelius W. Rapp and George Leslie Rapp of Carbondale, Illinois were the named partners and 1899 alumnus of the University of Illinois School of Architecture...
(C.W Rapp and George L. Rapp), which had designed numerous theaters for his company in the Midwest. They later hired the firm to design their new Manhattan flagship theatre and office tower. The Rapp brothers created a thirty-three story office tower which was influenced by the Art Deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
style, and a theatre in the palatial Neo-Renaissance
Neo-Renaissance
Renaissance Revival is an all-encompassing designation that covers many 19th century architectural revival styles which were neither Grecian nor Gothic but which instead drew inspiration from a wide range of classicizing Italian modes...
style behind it. The theatre closed in 1964 and was torn down in 1967.
Today, the Paramount Building is known for its large four-faced clock near the top of the pyramidial architectural feature, with the hours denoted by five-pointed stars, topped by an ornamental glass globe. At the outset of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the globe and clock were painted black to maintain blackout conditions for fear of an enemy invasion; they were restored in 1996.
Architecture
The ceilings were painted with a fresco and gilded, while the railings were manufactured from brass. There were Greek statues and busts carved in wall niches, while the restrooms and waiting rooms were grandiose in style in comparison to cathedrals at the time. The highlight of the decor was an enormous crystal chandelier in the main lobby. The theater with 3,664 seats, was located at the rear of the building and served as the company's flagship venue where its major films would be premiered.The theater entrance at the front of the Paramount Building is marked by a five story arch on Broadway with an elaborate curved marquee, which was restored in 2007. A long gallery passed from there through the office building to reach the theater itself, which occupied the rear of the building which extends through the middle of the block between 43rd and 44th streets. This structure included a long grand lobby along the south end which opened into the auditorium facing a stage at the north end. The lobby was modeled after the Paris Opera House
Paris Opera
The Paris Opera is the primary opera company of Paris, France. It was founded in 1669 by Louis XIV as the Académie d'Opéra and shortly thereafter was placed under the leadership of Jean-Baptiste Lully and renamed the Académie Royale de Musique...
with white marble columns, balustrades and an opening arms grand staircase. Within the auditorium, the drapes were colored in red velvet and the rugs were designed in a similar red. The interior of it was very high but somewhat shallow as necessitated by its allotted space. In addition, a large orchestra pit could be raised and lowered from the basement for theatric use.
Terrorism
On the morning of March 6, 2008, an unknown individual placed a small bomb in front of a United States Armed Forces recruiting station across Seventh Avenue from the building. There were no injuries. A security camera mounted at the building played a role in attempting to identify the assailant.External links
- 1501 Broadway at NYC Architecture
- Newmark Knight Frank