The Paramount Center

Boston, Massachusetts
Client: Emerson College

The vision for Emerson is to develop the coolest, hippest, most compelling destination in downtown. The Paramount Center is truly a center for creative collaboration among students, faculty, performers, and the public. As the College had originally hoped, this facility is fully realizing its important role at the heart of Emerson’s mission.”

Lee Pelton

President, Emerson College

Project Description

  • A key component of Emerson’s new campus in Boston’s Theatre District, this 39,200-sf, mixed-use development joined together new construction with the landmarked Paramount Theatre and adjacent Arcade building, plus a neighboring backlot.
  • The Center incorporates the renovated Paramount Theatre, a black box theatre, a scene/prop shop, rehearsal spaces, classrooms, a sound stage, a film screening room, plus a 262-bed residence hall and 150-seat streetfront restaurant.
  • The renovated Paramount Theatre is now a 590-seat live-performance space used for performances by both students and professional artists from all over the world through the ArtsEmerson program.

Photographer: Peter Vanderwarker

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Award

Preservation Honor Award 

National Trust for Historic Preservation, 2011

Award

Paul E Tsongas Award

Preservation Massachusetts, 2011

Award

Merit Award

United States Institute of Theater Technology, 2011

Award

Design Excellence Award – Venues

Live Design Magazine, 2011

Award

Awards of Merit – Exterior and Interior Lighting

Illuminating Engineering Society, 2011

Award

New England Design Award

American Institute of Architects, New England Chapter, 2010

Award

Preservation Achievement Award – Significant Rehabilitation / Restoration

Boston Preservation Alliance, 2010

Award

Honor Award for Design Excellence

Boston Society of Architects, 2010

Award

Building Project of the Year – Renovation / Modernization Less Than $100 Million

Construction Managers Association of America – New England Chapter, 2010

Award

Best of 2010, Project of the Year – Renovation / Restoration

New York Construction Magazine, 2010

The Paramount shop
The Paramount
The Paramount
The Paramount
The Paramount