The Paramount Ballroom in Boyle Heights–an elegant Renaissance revival structure built in 1924–is a thriving example of L.A.’s textured, layered history. From its origins as a place of organization and unionization to its Eastside legacy as a performing arts destination, The Paramount embodies the layers of East L.A.’s cultural heritage: a place where social justice, cultural influence, and the arts collide.

First opened on what was then Brooklyn Avenue, the building was initially operated by the Jewish baker’s union of Los Angeles and the Jewish subdistrict of the Communist Party. It was a touchstone of cultural commerce and community organizing during the height of the Jewish population in East Los Angeles. A few decades later, the Paramount became a premier ballroom venue and educational center run by Hollywood legend Rita Hayworth’s father, Eduardo Cansino. This ushered in the era of a midcentury focus on live music, dance, and the atmosphere of a cafe society within the Paramount. Throughout the 1980s, the venue became the backdrop for punk music and the new wave Eastside sound.

In 2011, a thorough restoration and revival of the space as a cultural convergence point began, spearheaded by owner Frank Acevedo. He was also interested in the Paramount’s unique history as a political, cultural, and musical hot spot within the Boyle Heights neighborhood of east Los Angeles.

“It was important to upgrade the bones of the building while preserving all of the cosmetic issues that are reflective of the character of the architecture of the time.” – Frank Acevedo, owner.

Upstairs in the Paramount venue, the 1920s influence and architecture were preserved and embellished. The stage and bar were revived with a design that honored the building’s history. The entire project was internally financed and faced challenges with certain elements that come with restoring any historic building. Overall restoration and reconstruction of certain elements of the project took three years. There was specialized design and care put into maintaining the historic elements of the building.

There were some conflicting mindsets between some members of the community and those looking to preserve the building. Those who were interested in redirecting resources towards demolition tried to advocate that this project would be futile as it championed a building and history that some considered obsolete—especially considering the Paramount had not been a commercial venue in over a decade. But today? Community students, educators, musicians, artists, friends, and families are just a few of the many who come to the Paramount to benefit from its diverse offerings and programming.

The current version of the Paramount building operates a music venue, radio station, nonprofit, and restaurant to benefit the surrounding community and the greater community of Southern California through programming and education. The Paramount is not the end-all-be-all but merely a page in the building’s larger story as a setting for so many different cultural exchanges of ideals shared by Angelenos throughout the city’s history.