Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

This week’s news that Austin Area Arts was moving forward with a planned renovation and expansion of the Historic Paramount Theatre seemed like a Christmas present wrapped and placed beneath the Christmas tree.

For around 10 years, this idea of renovating and creating more space at the historic theater has been in the works, but with the gift of $3.67 million dollars from The Hormel Foundation, the plan was finally able to get the green light.

Throughout his life, the Paramount Theatre has been many things — a place for stage shows, movie theater and night club just to name a few. However, it’s always been at the center of entertainment in Austin.

But as acts have expanded and gotten larger, the historic building has shown its age.

Simply put, it’s time give the popular venue some new life  as the theater expands to the west to create more of a lobby area and concession area, bathrooms will be moved upstairs, the stage will be renovated and added on to giving performers more space to set up and prepare. New seating will also be added.

And it goes without saying what the new lighting and revamped sound environment will offer when it’s complete.

In short, this project is long overdue and when completed will allow the Paramount more freedom to bring in and host even more acts and experiences to a stage that has been the platform for so many performances.

This work will be transformative and we can’t wait to see what happens next.