Historic Building Starts Extensive Restoration
PALM SPRINGS, CA – March 4, 2024: The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation celebrated the long-awaited start of the building’s restoration construction at a kick-off event today at 11 am in front of the iconic building. Members of the Palm Springs City Council, representatives of the Plaza Theatre Foundation board of directors, a representative of Measure J Commission, and representatives from Oak View Group (the theatre’s new management company), participated in the celebration to officially start the restoration.
Foundation President J.R. Roberts welcomed the attendees, followed by Foundation Board members Kevin Corcoran and Brian Ray who provided details about the fundraising process that led to this historic moment. Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein and Measure J Commission Chair Naomi Soto also provided comments, noting that this historic restoration is yet another significant Measure J project that positively impacts the lives and economy of the City of Palms Springs. The event concluded with remarks by John Bolton of Oak View Group and a formal signing ceremony acknowledging the partnership of the Foundation with Oak View Group, who will assist in the development and running of the theatre. Bolton was recently appointed to the Foundation’s board of directors.
The Plaza Theatre Foundation worked with Architectural Resources Group, Inc. to create a plan to restore the theatre to become a vibrant cultural center in Downtown Palm Springs. The City of Palm Springs engaged Woodcliff Construction of Los Angeles as the general contractor to oversee the comprehensive renovation project. When the restoration is completed, the Plaza Theatre will serve the community by hosting many kinds of events and productions and will be an exciting venue in downtown Palm Springs for live performances, film premieres, community and educational events, films, and much more. It is projected that the restoration work will take approximately one year to complete, allowing the Plaza Theatre to open in 2025.
“This historic moment has been a long time in coming and we are elated to now start this construction phase of the theatre’s restoration,” said Foundation President J.R. Roberts. “We would not be here if it were not for our incredibly generous donors, including David Lee, Donna and Jon Croel, Oak View Group, our founders, and the many people who have contributed to this important project. Bringing a historic theatre back to life is not an easy task, but we are confident that the partners we have chosen to work with will enable this amazing building to become the new vibrant center of Palm Springs.”
Restoration and modernization of this important City facility provides numerous tangible benefits for the community and helps deliver on the City’s vision for downtown. It is estimated that when the Theatre is operational, it will accommodate approximately 135,000 patrons per year. Half of them are estimated be out of town guests that will book more than 50,000 hotel nights per year (based on double occupancy and average stay of 1.5 nights). When operational, the Theatre will potentially generate more than $40 million in incremental spending and provide more than $4 million direct economic impact to the city through sales and transient occupancy taxes.
When the restoration is completed, the Plaza Theatre will serve the community by hosting many kinds of events and productions and will be an exciting venue in downtown Palm Springs for live performances, film premieres, community and educational events, films, and much more. It is projected that the Plaza Theatre will reopen in fall of 2025.
The Foundation is continuing to raise funds to fully restore the Plaza Theatre, one of the most iconic venues in Palm Springs. The Foundation has already raised more than $15M but must raise at least $10M more to cover the construction costs and contingencies plus startup expenses. These needed funds will help restore the building to its original splendor and update it to meet the access, technology, and equity needs of today and tomorrow.
There are many ways in which the public may play a significant role in the Plaza Theatre restoration, including a special theatre naming option for a single $10 million donor, becoming a Founder, securing a Naming Opportunity for seats or other areas of the building, or making a general donation. The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization and contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. For more information or to make a donation contact Foundation President J.R. Roberts at 415-297-9309 or visit SaveThePlazaTheatrePS.org.
About the Plaza Theatre
Originally built in 1936, the building was used for film premieres and screenings, nationally broadcast radio theatre programs, and other performances. In its later years, the theater was home to the long running “The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies.” Over the decades, the building has deteriorated, so the City of Palm Springs initiated a capital campaign to restore the beloved structure to its former glory.
The comprehensive restoration and rehabilitation plan will provide essential infrastructure repairs, installation of new theatrical equipment, and structural improvements to ensure that the building meets today’s fire prevention and American Disabilities Act mandates. This historic theatre has played an impressive role in Palm Springs much like the Radio City Music Hall has in New York. When the restoration is complete, the Plaza Theatre will be poised to continue to provide the city and its visitors with top notch entertainment for years to come.