Overview/History
Make History!
Join Us To Save The Plaza Theatre
The Plaza Theatre has an impressive role in the history of Palm Springs. The theatre’s iconic identity was established on its opening to the public in 1936 with the world premiere of the Oscar-winning George Cukor film, Camille, with its legendary star, Greta Garbo, who allegedly slipped into the back of the theatre after the lights went down. In addition to being a movie theatre, it was also the venue for nationally-broadcast radio theatre programs by such luminaries as Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Jack Benny.
Over the decades, the building has deteriorated, and the Plaza Theatre Foundation has been established to raise funds in order to support the City of Palm Springs’ effort to fully restore the historic theatre.
Our goal is to prepare this one-of-a-kind community facility for a “Next Act” by replacing or restoring most systems, installing new seats, sound, and lighting, adapting the structure to meet current ADA requirements, and providing the theatre with modern facilities needed to provide Palm Springs and the Valley with a venue accessible and affordable for everyone. Exciting new developments include:
SAVE, RESTORE, REOPEN
When we began this project, our ‘slogan’ was “Help Save the Plaza Theatre” but now that the restoration is in progress, we’re focusing on the finish line, and are now saying “Help REOPEN the Plaza Theatre.”
The restoration project is well underway. Woodcliff Construction of Los Angeles has been working on comprehensive renovation of the historic building since March, 2024. For progress updates and to view time-lapse photography of the progress and other informative videos, please click here. The restoration work will take approximately one year to complete, allowing the Plaza Theatre to open in late 2025.
The City of Palm Springs has asked the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation to expand its mission beyond the restoration itself and to then operate the theatre once it is reopened. The Foundation is continuing to raise funds to support this renovation and also provide startup costs once it is completed. The Foundation has already raised approximately $15M but must raise at least $10M more to cover the construction costs and contingencies plus startup expenses.
The Plaza Theatre will once again become a major economic driver for the City, generating millions in economic activity and will bring hundreds of visitors and locals per week to the downtown to see quality entertainment. The Foundation has partnered with Oak View Group to bring diverse high-quality programming.
When restored, the Plaza Theatre will be the only place available for the entire community to come together and utilize it as an affordable community venue showcasing diverse programming for all people, local youth organizations, promoting multicultural programming in film, music, live theater, education, comedy, and entertainment for all. It will also support and serve nonprofit organizations like the Palm Springs International Film Festival, ONE-PS, the Jessie O. James Desert Highland Unity Center, LGBTQ+ organizations, Arts groups, modernism-related events, our senior population, and many others.
Please join us as we embark on this exciting future for the Plaza Theatre. The rebirth of a cultural icon cannot happen without your support!
History of the Theatre
- The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation was established to work with the City of Palm Springs to raise capital to fully restore one of its most iconic buildings – the historic Plaza Theatre in Downtown Palm Springs.
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In 1936, Julia Patterson Carnell, a Dayton, Ohio, businesswoman and heiress to the National Cash Register Corporation fortune, reportedly paid Palm Springs pioneer Cornelia White $1 million to purchase 3.5 acres of what is now part of downtown. Carnell commissioned seminal Palm Springs architect, Harry Williams to design the La Plaza complex, including the Plaza Theatre, in a Spanish Colonial Revival style.
- The historic theatre is an example of an atmospheric theatre which was constructed using cast-in-place concrete, concrete masonry, and heavy timber. This site was granted Class 1 (Landmark) status in 1991 by the Palm Springs City Council
- Over the decades, the Plaza Theatre has deteriorated, so the City of Palm Springs acquired the building in 2015 with the condition to maintain its operation as a performing arts venue
Where We Are Now
- The City is working in partnership with the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation to undertake a capital campaign to fund a full restoration and modernization of the theatre to restore its former glory and assist the city with the renovation and future management of the theatre.
- In 2018 the City engaged the international architecture firm Gensler and historic preservation firm Chattel to develop a comprehensive restoration and rehabilitation plan. The Gensler conceptual plan called for a complete restoration of the historic aspects of the theatre, installing approximately 700 new seats, the expansion of the current lobby, significant infrastructure repairs and the installation of new theatre equipment, and significant structural improvements to meet current fire prevention and Americans With Disabilities Act mandates.
- In 2022, Architectural Resources Group, Inc. was chosen to complete the design and oversee the renovation. Architectural Resources Group has completed several other historic projects of similar scope.
- In December 2023 after a competitive bid process, the City of Palm Springs selected Woodcliff Construction of Los Angeles as the general contractor to oversee the comprehensive renovation of the Plaza Theatre. Woodcliff Construction has demonstrated, using the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, experience similar in nature and scope to this project.
- In March 2024, the restoration work commenced.
- Construction completion is currently anticipated in late 2025.
- Recent construction milestones include essential structural repairs that have strengthened the building for current building codes, installation of a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient HVAC system, and successful asbestos abatement. One of the most thrilling aspects of this restoration has been uncovering hidden treasures from the theatre’s past including original decorative stencil work on the proscenium, which had been concealed for more than three decades.
- The Foundation has partnered with Oak View Group to bring diverse high-quality programming to the theatre. Oak View Group (OVG) is the owner and operator of Acrisure Arena, Southern California’s newest 11,000-capacity world-class venue in Greater Palm Springs. It also owns the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the AHL’s 32nd franchise and the affiliate of the Seattle Kraken. OVG will provide day-to-day management of the historic theatre and secure programming and new sponsorship opportunities.
- All interested parties that would like to use the theatre are invited to explore booking opportunities at Booking@PSPlazaTheatre.org and be part of this exciting journey.
Transformational Opportunity to Serve the Entire Community
- The renovated Plaza Theatre will remain a City of Palm Springs facility and is intended to serve every segment of the Palm Springs community.
- When the theatre reopens it will remain an independent theatre bringing arts and culture to downtown Palm Springs including hosting live musical and theatrical performances, film festivals, lecture series, and a full range of community programming.
Future Use Options
These are a few of the many options currently being explored:
- Live entertainment, headliner entertainment, concerts and musical shows, holiday shows, theatrical plays, comedy shows, dance, and cabaret
- Educational Presentations: lecture series, city meetings, book readings
- Film Screenings: first run films, classics, festivals, and opera
- Celebrating diversity with special events: holiday events throughout the year, black history month’s gospel festival, Hispanic heritage month performances, Palm Springs Pride performances, and more
- Public School Partnerships: a venue for productions put on by the Palm Springs Unified School District like “Protect the Arts,” the “Musical Theatre University,” the high school’s well-regarded “Folkloric Mexican Dance Troupe,” and performances by our middle and high school students.