The Paramount Theatre opened on March 1, 1928, at 901 Pine Street in downtown Seattle, Washington. Built by Paramount Pictures with an investment of nearly $3 million led by Adolph Zukor, it debuted as the Seattle Theatre before being renamed the Paramount in 1930. Designed by the renowned Chicago firm Rapp & Rapp, the venue was hailed by the Seattle Times as “a magnificent cathedral of entertainment” and quickly became one of the most striking movie palaces on the West Coast.
After financial struggles in the 1980s and early 1990s, the theatre was purchased by former Microsoft vice president Ida Cole and underwent an eight-month restoration before reopening on March 17, 1995, with a production of Miss Saigon. In 2002, ownership transferred to the Seattle Theatre Group, a nonprofit that continues to operate the Paramount today. The venue now seats 2,807 and hosts an eclectic mix of Broadway productions, live concerts, comedy, dance, and family programming.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: 901 Pine Street, Seattle, WA
- Type: Performing Arts & Live Music Venue
- Opened: March 1, 1928
- Original Name: Seattle Theatre
- Capacity: 2,807 seats
- Architect: Rapp & Rapp (Chicago)
- Operator: Seattle Theatre Group (nonprofit)
- Famous for: Nirvana’s Halloween 1991 concert; original Wurlitzer pipe organ
Historic Stage and Famous Nights
The Paramount holds the distinction of being the first venue in the United States to install a convertible floor system, allowing the orchestra level to transform into a ballroom. Among its most celebrated moments was a Halloween night concert by Nirvana on October 31, 1991, later released as a live album. The Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia performed at the Paramount nine times over his career — four with the Grateful Dead and five with the Jerry Garcia Band and Legion of Mary.
The theatre is also home to an original Wurlitzer pipe organ — a four-manual, 21-rank Publix 1 instrument — which still graces the stage during Silent Movie Mondays, connecting modern audiences to the venue’s vaudeville and silent-film roots.
Architecture and Landmark Status
Designed by Rapp & Rapp, the same firm behind Chicago’s storied Chicago Theatre, the Paramount is a prime example of lavish 1920s movie-palace architecture. Its interior features ornate plasterwork, gold leaf detailing, and grand chandeliers that were meticulously restored during the 1995 renovation.
The venue was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 19, 1974, and received Seattle Landmark designation on February 13, 1995. The iconic marquee — which once blazed with nearly 2,000 incandescent bulbs — was upgraded to LED lighting by 2009 while preserving its vintage appearance.
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Paramount Theatre Seattle FAQs
Where is the Paramount Theatre Seattle located?
The Paramount Theatre is located at 901 Pine Street in downtown Seattle, Washington, at the corner of 9th Avenue and Pine Street.
When did the Paramount Theatre Seattle open?
The theatre opened on March 1, 1928, originally under the name the Seattle Theatre. It was renamed the Paramount in 1930 after its founding investor, Paramount Pictures.
What kinds of events are held at the Paramount Theatre Seattle?
The Paramount hosts a wide range of events including Broadway touring productions, live music concerts, comedy shows, dance performances, and Silent Movie Mondays featuring its original Wurlitzer pipe organ.
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Photo: Dllu / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.