This Italian Renaissance building in downtown Portland, Oregon, originally opened in March, 1928 as a venue for vaudeville acts called Portland Publix Theatre.

However, its name changed to The Paramount Theater two years later after its owners had a contract to show Paramount films there. It operated as a movie house until 1970, when it became a concert venue.

Designed by architects Rapp and Rapp, the building was designed with many foyers and lobbies, with walls covered in mirrors and marble. Its furnishings were purchased from French museums and private collections.

In 1972, it was voted a Portland Historic Landmark by city council, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

At one point around 1982, the Portland city council voted to condemn the building, which had been largely decimated inside during its decade of hosting rock concerts. In 1983, a one-year, $10 million dollar renovation was done to restore the building not to its original prowess, but to make it safe and pleasant for artists and audiences again.

The building was renamed after Arlene Schnitzer, who, with her husband, Harold, contributed significant funds to its renovation.

The 65-foot high Paramount sign was replaced by Portland — which is what the original sign said from 1928-1930 — in 1984.

The venue has hosted everyone from Prince (2002) to ABBA (1979) to The National (2017).