👀 A peek at Paramount Theatre’s restoration plan

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Rejoice, Austinites! The Paramount Theatre is getting new seats and much, much more in a $55 million restoration project that is expected to finish in 2027.

The Austin Theatre Alliance announced the project on Wednesday, hoping to drum up donations to foot the bill for upgraded restrooms, improved ADA access, expanded and upgraded concessions, an assisted listening system, and new sound and lighting features at the Paramount. The group is also looking to raise an additional $10 million for an endowment.

The State Theatre next door will be completely made over, with a stunning staircase in its entryway, more bathrooms, 150 new seats, a new lounge space and more.

Paramount Theatre will shut down in June 2026 and won’t reopen until April 1 the following year.

“We’re going to miss one South by Southwest in (2027),” said Jim Ritts, Austin Theatre Alliance CEO.

But the State Theatre will serve as the Paramount’s replacement while it’s closed, he said. The State Theatre will close in July 2027 and reopen in November 2028.

The Paramount Plan

The restoration project, which has already received roughly $27.4 million in pledged donations, is the theater’s first in over 50 years, Ritts said. Paramount Theatre is more than 100 years old, opening for the first time in 1915 as the Majestic Theatre. The State Theatre opened in 1935.

The Paramount has hosted everyone: Harry Houdini, Dolly Parton, Dr. Maya Angelou, former President Barack Obama, Katharine Hepburn, and so many more.

Over the years, the ceilings and walls in the Paramount have become dull and faded, partially because of cigarette smoke, Ritts said. Restoration work to brighten and clean up with walls and ceilings have already begun in an effort to bring the Paramount back to its 1930s “gorgeous-osity,” he said.