MEET ME AT THE PARAMOUNT

PARAMOUNT Theatre, at 560 Bay Street near Prospect, is now likely Staten Island’s premier ‘ghost theater’ now that the St. George has been restored and reactivated. It was designed by architects Rapp and Rapp with a contrasting orange brick façade, opening in 1930 with a capacity of 2500 seats and two Wurlitzer pipe organs, an extravagant feature during the Depression. In its latter days, it became an adult movie venue in the 1970s, and later, a rock club; the British band XTC played here in 1982, shortly before it gave up on public performances altogether, as well as the Ramones, B-52’s (who are still touring), Squeeze. The interior has been gutted, but its beautiful outsides are still in view.

Since the Paramount was featured in Forgotten NY the Book in 2006, various schemes have been floated to reopen it. When the building was sold in 2009, a major renovation was embarked upon to turn it into a caterer and concert hall. That didn’t pan out. Another renovation was begun in 2016 to turn it into an upscale restaurant and caterer, but apparently gritty Stapleton is still a tough sell for that kind of thing. Unfortunately, the reno work stripped it of its 1930s marquee, seen in this Untapped Cities article, and in my photo from a few years ago. UC, which has the knack of getting inside places, has some interior shots, as does Scouting NY in 2014. A Reddit piece in 2021 claimed it was about to be demolished. But still, it persists.

Check out the ForgottenBook, take a look at the  gift shop. As always, “comment…as you see fit.” I earn a small payment when you click on any ad on the site. 

10/8/25