Paramount Studios Complex
Why it's listed
Astoria's Paramount Studios Complex in Queens is a group of nine film-related buildings put up between 1918 and 1966. The largest, Building Number 1, was designed by the Fleischman Construction Company and built of reinforced concrete with terra cotta facing. It wraps around a Main Stage about 120 feet wide and 127 feet long, reputed to be among the largest sound stages in the world. The Famous Players Lasky Corporation built the studio as its eastern production base, and more than 110 silent features were made there between 1921 and 1927. Sound pictures followed from 1929, until Paramount moved its operations to California in 1932. In 1942 the Army took over the site as the Army Pictorial Center, which turned out about 300 films a year until 1970, including the "Why We Fight" series. Independent productions returned in the mid-1970s. The complex was listed for its role in the history of American filmmaking.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · catalog entry. Generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29).
| Period of significance | 1918-1966 |
|---|---|
| Styles | Building Number 1 is described as vaguely Classical with Art Deco details |
| Areas of significance | Communications, Performing Arts |
| Acreage | 5 |
| Boundary source | NPS cultural-resource GIS polygon |
| Full listing page | Paramount Studios Complex (property record) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.