Paramount Theatre
Also known as: Paramount Arts Centre
Why it's listed
Opened in September 1931 on the Fox River in downtown Aurora, this theatre at 23 East Galena Boulevard was designed by the Chicago firm of C. W. & George L. Rapp for Paramount Pictures and cost $1,000,000 to build. It is a brick-faced building of terra cotta, concrete and steel, with an octagonal five-story entrance tower covered in terra-cotta relief panels and topped by a tile roof. Inside, the auditorium is a stylized outdoor colonnaded space with painted murals, a deep blue ceiling medallion and Art Deco columns and lighting. It was planned for the new medium of talking film, with a large projection booth and minimal live-performance space, unlike earlier vaudeville-era theatres. Few of this type were built before the Depression ended such plans. A renovation from 1977 to 1978 restored the colors, stencils, fixtures and seats, remade the marquee and sign, and added stage and dressing room space for live performance. The auditorium now seats 1,885.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the theatre is significant in the history of the entertainment industry and in theatre architecture. It belongs to a new generation of movie palaces built by Paramount Pictures for talking film, with proportions and acoustics set by film technology rather than live theatre needs. Few of this type were built before the Depression halted such plans.
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) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 80001371, listed March 18, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora |
|---|---|
| County | Kane County |
| Listed | March 18, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80001371 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | C. W. & George L. Rapp, Architects, Chicago |
| Architectural style | Art Deco design elements; early 20th century movie palace |
| Areas of significance | Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Renovated 1977-1978 at a cost of $2.5 million and described as in excellent condition; occupied and used for entertainment. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Aurora Broadway Historic District (Additional Documentation) |
| Coordinates | 41.75704, -88.31516 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 80001371.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7135366
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.