In 2008, flood waters rushed into the Paramount Theater, filling the basement and coursing at least 8 feet high through the Hall of Mirrors and auditorium.

In the months that followed, the damaged areas were stripped and cleaned and the building was put to sleep until the city could wade through the FEMA funding process and determine its fate.

By spring 2011, the buzz of reconstruction created a new symphony of sound. Read more on the Paramount Theatre’s reopening plans with a performance by Harry Connick Jr., here.

Roll your cursor over each image below to see the theater as it was over the years and as it is now.

The seating area

Above the stage/audience

Hall of mirrors

The building front

Renovation is underway at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Cedar Rapids on Thursday, June 28 , 2012. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)