Preserve The Historic Paramount

Help Us Preserve the

Historic Paramount Building

                                            1933 photo courtesy of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County

For 83 years the Paramount has survived demolition attempts and hurricanes and        today serves as a prime example of ADAPTIVE REUSE, the adaptation of a historic  building for new uses while retaining its historic features.  But maintaining these historic landmarked exterior features has created a huge dilemma for this much beloved building.

OUR PROBLEM:

The original Joseph Urban designed wooded "signature" balustrades (railings) that surround the east and west decks on County Road and Sunrise deteriorated.  Permission was granted in 1985 to replace them with "off-the-shelf" rails, but these too have deteriorated. 

                         Deteriorating                       Paramount Architect Joseph Urban's

                 "Off-the-Shelf" Rails                                       "Signature"

                      installed in 1985                                          1927 Railings

Code Enforcement and Landmarks Preservation Commission have mandated that the railings now need to be replaced with replicas of Joseph Urban's 1927 original railings and with materials and construction methods to meet current codes. The new railings (which will be metal) must be anchored into new roofs.

An AD Hoc Committee of concerned Town residents met during the last 4 months to find ways to raise the funds needed to comply railing replacement mandate. Their efforts have culminated in this appeal to all who might lend a hand to preserve the Paramount Building and the History it represents in Palm Beach. The replacement cost is $365,000 and the deadline for completion is

May 30, 2011.   The project is being overseen by noted Palm Beach architect, Eugene Lawrence.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

There are 1,500 railings that need to be replaced. Would you consider bearing the cost of a railing ($250 per railing) or a section of railings ($5,000 for larger sections that contain 20 railings) as a gift, or perhaps in memory of a loved one who may have enjoyed the Paramount as you do.

A matching gift of $50,000 has been pledged by the Carl Sawyer family. They will match donations from others that total $50,000.

                                               Please send Donations to:

                                  Preserve The Historic Paramount Fund

                                         139 North County Road, # 31

                                              Palm Beach, FL 33480

*  For your convenience donations also can be made by credit card or paypal through this website.

* If you would like to discuss your gift or have a personal tour of the Paramount, please call 561.835.0913 for an appointment.

* A plaque will be posted in the Paramount under the heading “Friends Of The Paramount” with the names of all the benefactors and/or the name of the loved one(s) to be remembered and each $250 puts the donor’s name on the particular railing covered by the donation. An artistic parchment certificate, ready for framing will show your railing(s).

* Preserve The Historic Paramount Fund is a designated fund of the Paramount Church, a 501c3 organization, and funds will be used exclusively to bring the Paramount into compliance with the Town's Landmark Preservation and Code requirements. Donations are fully tax deductible.

          Below is an article from the Palm Beach Daily News, January 18, 2011

Additional newspaper articles related to this matter can be found in the "Newspaper Article" page of this website.