The Paramount Building Structural Modifications
Building Overview
The Paramount Building, located at 1501 Broadway, Manhattan, is a historically significant high-rise commercial building situated in the Times Square / Theatre District. Constructed between 1926 and 1927, the building rises 33 stories above grade and is primarily used for commercial office occupancy, with retail uses at the ground and cellar levels. Originally developed as the headquarters for Paramount Pictures, the building formerly contained the Paramount Theatre, which has since been removed and converted to commercial use. The property is designated as a New York City Landmark, and the exterior is subject to LPC oversight. The building is of steel-frame construction, typical of early 20th-century skyscrapers designed under the 1916 Zoning Resolution, with tiered setbacks at upper floors. The exterior wall system consists predominantly of brick masonry with limestone and ornamental terra-cotta detailing, executed in the Art Deco style. Distinctive architectural features include decorative setbacks, a clock element, and a rooftop globe, all of which contribute to its landmark status and iconic presence along Broadway.
Project Scope
Following a change in tenancy requiring the creation of a dance studio with enlarged, column-free floor areas, EOC served as Engineer of Record (EOR) for the structural modifications within the building. EOC engineered a new floor framing system to accommodate the removal of select existing columns between the 8th and 9th floors, including analysis of load redistribution, connection detailing, and integration with the existing structural system. The scope also included the design of a temporary shoring and support system to maintain structural stability during phased demolition and construction. In addition, EOC prepared and filed all required permit drawings and documentation with the NYC Department of Buildings and performed construction-phase inspections to verify that the work was executed in conformance with the approved construction documents, applicable code requirements, and the engineering design intent.