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In 1926 the Paramount-Publix theatre chain acquired the Chicago-based Balaban and Katz theatre chain. Paramount-Publix were keen to implement the "wonder theatre" concept Balaban and Katz had conceived and introduced to Chicago (mainly embodied by the Chicago Theatre and the Uptown Theatre) in other major metropolitan areas. Paramount-Publix therefore developed plans to build four movie palaces in the major residential areas surrounding New York’s borough of Manhattan: Brooklyn, Queens, Jersey City, and The Bronx.
As a result of the 1925 agreement between the Loew’s and Paramount-Publix theatre chains not to trade in each other’s home territories, the plans for building the four theatres were transferred to Loew’s, who added a fifth theatre to the plan in upper Manhattan and agreed to stay out of Paramount-Publix’s home turf in Chicago.
The five movie palaces would go on to become known as the Loew’s “Wonder Theatres”, a moniker which in part came from the “Wonder Morton” theatre organs (built by the Robert Morton Organ Company) that were commissioned for each of the theatres, but also spoke to the spectacular and extravagant nature of the theatres’ designs. The Wonder Theatres served as flagship venues for Loew’s expanding movie exhibition empire.
Built at the climax of the movie palace era and during the rapid shift from silent films to “talkies”, the Wonder Theatres were conceived not just as places to see films but as immersive escape spaces – architectural fantasies intended to elevate the cinematic experience and reinforce Loew’s dominance in the industry.
Each of the five theatres was individual in its style, reflecting the vision of different architects and varied architectural designs of the period. As of 2025 all five Wonder Theatres are still standing. One operates as a community performing arts center, another is a commercial live entertainment venue; the remaining three are currently used as churches with one of them also used for entertainment purposes outside of church services.
Here are Loew’s Wonder Theatres in chronological order:
in Brooklyn, opened 7th September 1929 and designed by architect firm Rapp and Rapp. in Jersey City, opened 28th September 1929 and designed by architect firm Rapp and Rapp. in Washington Heights, Manhattan, opened 22nd February 1930 and designed by architect Thomas Lamb.Loew’s Valencia blended Spanish Colonial and pre-Columbian motifs with a simulated night sky and twinkling stars across the ceiling, framed by lush terracotta ornamentation that echoed Churrigueresque Baroque façades. Its 3,500-seat interior created a romantic illusion of a Spanish courtyard, a hallmark of Eberson’s Atmospheric theatre design approach that transported patrons far beyond the urban streets of Queens.
Eberson also designed the 3,885-seat Loew’s Paradise in his signature Atmospheric theatre style, but this time he used an Italian garden theme. The multicolored Baroque–style main façade originally included a mechanical Seth Thomas clock and a sculpture of Saint George fighting a fire-breathing dragon. The movie palace was renovated and reopened in 2005 as a live entertainment venue before being leased to a church in 2012. The church vacated in 2020 and the theatre has been without a tenant since then. The façade and interior are New York City designated landmarks.
Designed by the prolific Chicago architect firm Rapp and Rapp, the 3,250-seat movie palace featured richly detailed plasterwork, terracotta façades, and spaces designed specifically to accommodate the emerging era of synchronized sound films – the “talkies”. The decorative details were inspired by the decorations inside the Paris Opera House (Palais Garnier) and Palace of Versailles. The theatre underwent a massive renovation, planning for which started in 2009, resulting in the theatre reopening in January 2015 at the conclusion of the $95 million renovation project.
The only Wonder Theatre located outside the state of New York, this 3,000-seat movie palace was also designed by Rapp and Rapp. This Spanish Baroque and Italian Rococo-inspired palace was built with exceptional ornament including crystal chandeliers and painted murals evoking palace-like grandeur. Over the decades it hosted films and live entertainment, survived conversion into a multi-screen venue, and was rescued from demolition by a volunteer preservation movement before its designation as a National Historic Landmark. As of early 2026 it is undergoing a major renovation and restoration spearheaded by the City of Jersey City.
Designed by theatre architect Thomas W. Lamb, reportedly Loew’s most favored architect of the era, the 3,350-seat 175th Street Theatre – now known as the United Palace – features one of the most adventurous exteriors of the group with richly worked terracotta ornament drawn from Persian and Moorish origins. Overall, Lamb’s designs incorporate elements of Aztec, Classical, Egyptian, Islamic, Mayan, and Mughal architecture – something Lamb did to stimulate visitors’ minds. Its interior and exterior ornamentation, commanding presence of a full city block, and freestanding design, made it a unique capstone to the Wonder Theatre series.
During their heyday, the Wonder Theatres were among the most lavish entertainment venues in the United States, representing the zenith of the movie palace movement and the cultural ambition of an era that equated architectural spectacle with mass entertainment.
As of mid-2025, Loew’s Valencia is operating as a church – the Tabernacle of Prayer for All People – and being maintained very well by its owners. Loew’s Paradise in The Bronx has been shuttered since the Covid-19 pandemic and its status is unknown. Loew’s Kings in Brooklyn is managed by ATG Entertainment and is in active use as a live entertainment and events venue. Loew’s Jersey spent 20 years under the watchful eye of volunteers agitating for its preservation, which is now happening thanks to a City of New Jersey project . Lastly, Loew’s 175th St Theatre, now known as the United Palace, is in active use and had its profile boosted by hosting the Tony Awards in 2023 .
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