Paramount Theater

The Paramount Theater is a movie theater in downtown Charlottesville featuring an Art Deco facade with distinctive architectural details. Inside, the 1,100-seat auditorium displays ornate chandeliers, silk wall panels with colonial imagery, and decorative elements throughout the space.

The Rapp and Rapp architectural firm designed this theater, which opened on November 25, 1931, during cinema's golden age. Following its closure in 1974, a major restoration effort from 1995 to 2004 returned it to its original splendor.

The venue hosts concerts, film festivals, theater productions, and dance performances that draw audiences from across the region. It serves as a cultural gathering place where visitors experience both classic and contemporary arts.

The theater offers excellent sightlines from all seating areas and features modern sound systems for clear audio during performances. Visitors will find the space fully accessible with amenities and complimentary WiFi available throughout the venue.

Local citizens purchased the building in 1995 and saved it from demolition through a determined restoration effort. This grassroots rescue transformed a neglected structure into an active cultural hub that continues to draw audiences today.

Location: Charlottesville

Inception: 1931

Architects: Rapp and Rapp

Official opening: 1931

Capacity: 1100

Address: 215 E. Main Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902

Website: http://theparamount.net

GPS coordinates: 38.03090,-78.47990

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:08