Riding up the Grand Concourse gets kind of boring after many blocks of apartment buildings. The boredom is broken in a big way when you come upon the Loews Paradise Theatre a couple of blocks south of Fordham Rd.
The Loews Paradise opened in September 1929. It was the 23rd largest movie theater ever built in the U.S., seating 3885 people. The Paradise was one of five Loews "Wonder" theaters, named after the Wonder Organ installed within, in the New York area. The others were in Queens, Brooklyn, Jersey City and nearby in Washington Heights (which is now Reverend Ike's United Palace).
The Wonder Organ that was in the Loews Paradise was removed in the 1960s. It was renovated and installed in the Loew's Jersey Theatre (follow the link above to see and hear the mighty organ).
Like a lot of these giant theaters the Paradise was subdivided into multiple screens and eventually closed. The theater was renovated and reopened a couple of years ago but it may be closed once again.
Also note the Jumbo Hamburgers on the right side of the movie house.
That's gorgeous, inside and out. Looks like it was built much more than 77 years ago.
Posted by: Dane | 02 December 2008 at 10:23 PM
Yeah, it is some crazed mix of older architectural styles.
I forgot to mention that, originally, St. George slayed a dragon every hour on the hour in that alcove near the top of the building.
Posted by: joe | 03 December 2008 at 10:44 PM