A 97-year-old Bronx movie palace that survived subdivision, closure, restoration, a church era and a 2020 fire is becoming a 4,000-seat performing arts center, New York City's second largest theater

New York City is as much of a historic gaga as it is a modern icon. For years, the place has been hub to world's dreamers and believers, art and artists and anyone who wants to make something happen. One of the most popular thing about the city is also its landmarks and one of them is all set to return to active service after years of closure.Bronx's historic Loewe's Paradise Theatre, a 97-year-old landmark and one of the original five NYC "wonder theatres" will be back to service as a full Performing Arts Centre. Spearheaded by a new management team that includes theatrical producer Scott Perrin, producer and theater owner Peter Martin, and longtime real estate operator Charles Piazza, the new Paradise Performing Arts Center will mark its transition from a historic movie palace into a dynamic cultural institution dedicated to the Bronx community with a special press preview & community welcome event scheduled for Tuesday, November 10th, 2026.With 4,000 seats the Paradise Performing Arts Centre will be the second-largest theatre in New York after Radio City Music Hall, giving the Bronx a large-scale performing arts venue on the on the Grand Concourse, presenting live stage shows, concerts, stand-up comedy, family shows, dance, film, community and educational events.Architect John Eberson, who designed over 500 theaters considered the Paradise his crown jewel. Now, its restoration is intended to return it as close as possible to the pristine condition and grandeur of the theatre when it first opened in 1929. The Paradise is working with EverGreene Architectural Arts, whose previous restoration work includes the Loew's Kings Theatre in Brooklyn and Loew's Jersey Theatre. Kenn Lubin, whose work includes signage for Broadway productions, is overseeing the restoration of the theater's historic signage, with plans to restore and relight the Paradise and Grand Concourse signs. Irwin Seating Company is working to restore the theater's historic seating. Restoration plans also call for the restoring the original ceiling with stars and moving clouds and also include the addition of a rooftop outdoor performance stage, restaurant, bar, and gift store.The core mission of The Paradise Performing Arts Center is to present artistic voices that reflect the diversity of the Bronx while serving as a center for culture, education, economic development, and neighborhood engagement and expanding access to the arts to the widest possible audience. Programming will include concerts, stand-up comedy, family shows, dance, film and educational events. In addition to its public planning, the ornate lobby of the restored Paradise is also now available to host weddings and corporate events, as well as photo and video shoots.“Every borough of New York City has major performing arts centers except The Bronx, so we've reimagined a magnificent, underused, landmark theater to expand access to the arts to the widest possible audience in one of the most arts-underserved neighborhoods of New York,” said PPAC Executive Director, Scott Perrin. “It's going to take a village to bring this goal to fruition, but we've accomplished the first step, and we invite everyone to join us to achieve all the potential of this worthy vision which will celebrate the arts and uplift the community. I also think we're going to profoundly impact countless young people in The Bronx by giving them access to arts and culture in their neighborhood.""The Paradise theater is one of the most spectacular, atmospheric theaters to have ever been built in the United States. We look forward to restoring the interior and exterior to the magnificent beauty from when it first opened on the Grand Concourse in 1929," added managing director Peter Martin.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.