Paramount Theatre — 1950
 Paramount Theatre, James Dow 10239 Jasper Avenue Designed by: Stanley and Stanley Architects Famous Players Corporation embarked on a cross-country expansion program at the beginning of the 1950s. They intended to construct a new theatre in Edmonton as early as the summer of 1949, with land purchased on Jasper Avenue. The building permit was issued on November 2, 1950. Delays in receiving building materials (particularly steel) delayed the official opening from Christmas 1951 to July 1, 1952.  Provincial Archives of Alberta PA4232 The Paramount Theatre is an excellent example of the International Style in Edmonton. The Paramount Theatre uses a bold planar surface of Tyndale stone as the main compositional element. Luxurious materials such as Italian travertine and black marble have been used to enhance the street level entrance. Large round columns express the structure. Angled walls expose these columns and along with the angled canopy, lead patrons toward the entrance. The ladders for changing letters on the signboard have been designed to be an important compositional and functional element. The seating capacity of the original theatre was 1,750 in 1985 much of the theatre was renovated with a new interior put in place with a reduced seating capacity of 800. In 2003 Famous Players sold the theatre to private interests. Update: In 2006, The City Centre Church moved from the Telus Centre to the Paramount Theatre building. See also:Celebrating the Modern Movement Edmonton’s Move to Modern A Paramount Theatre |