PALM SPRINGS, CA – March 8, 2023: The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation announced that the full restoration and renovation plans for the iconic Plaza Theatre was submitted to the Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) of the City of Palm Springs on March 7 which approved the plans. The detailed plans were created by Architectural Resources Group (ARG), the architectural firm selected by the Foundation and the City of Palm Springs. ARG has a philosophy and appreciation for the past and an eye toward the future and was one of the first preservation design firms to have an in-house conservation laboratory and to integrate architectural conservation into the practice of historic preservation.
HSPB is a Palm Springs City Council appointed board that identifies, nominates, and recommends potential historic sites and districts and helps maintain the City’s rich cultural and architectural heritage. HSPB will now review ARG’s plans prior to submitting its recommendations to the Palm Springs City Council. Once the Plaza Theatre plans are approved by the HSPB, the City may select a contractor to work on the renovation project, projected to start in early summer, 2023. The renovation/restoration plans will allow the Plaza Theatre to better serve the community by increasing its ability to host many kinds of events/productions. After it is updated and restored, the Plaza Theatre will provide an exciting venue in downtown Palm Springs for live performances, film premieres, community and educational events, films, and much more.
The renovation of the Plaza Theatre will provide needed updates to the building’s infrastructure and modernize it to meet current health and safety standards while staying true to its celebrated historic past. The theatre’s original exterior appearance will be maintained but new glass doors will be placed in the existing arches. This will substantially enlarge the lobby by incorporating the area currently under cover but currently outside of the main doors. By enclosing this space, the stairs to the balcony will finally be enclosed and air conditioned. A new fully integrated sound system will be installed to bring life to live performances and reduce costs of renting sound equipment for events. The building’s HVAC system will be replaced with a new system that is energy-efficient and quieter than the existing system. Lighting fixtures will be restored or recreated from the original 1930s plans to provide better illumination. The apron (or ‘thrust’) of the stage will be expanded to provide a bigger performance area. To bring the theatre up to current standards, the dressing rooms will be renovated with improved restrooms and related facilities. A reconfigured floor plan will ensure every seat in the house has optimal sight lines, adding more wheelchair accessible seating, and an ADA compliant dressing room and restroom will be added adjacent to the stage.
The Plaza Theatre is an excellent example of the “atmospheric style” of design that was popular in the late 1920s and early 30s when the theatre was originally constructed. Atmospheric theatres were designed and decorated to evoke the feeling of being outdoors through the use of projectors, architectural elements, and ornamentation. The Plaza Theatre’s original auditorium design resembled a Spanish courtyard under a nighttime sky. In preparation of the restoration, paint samples were taken and examined to determine the theatre’s original color palate, and the original blueprints and historic photos were consulted to confirm which elements were original and which had been added over the years. The new plan includes restoration of the atmospheric walls and proscenium arch, reinstalling new ceiling “star field” lights, installing new seats, and adding new carpet in the aisles and lobby.
J.R. Roberts, President of the Foundation said: “This is a major milestone on our way to completing this project. We are working with experts to uncover the theatre’s original color palate and materials, and this has guided our design process. In addition to restoring the building, we’re delivering on the promise to increase accessibility and balance historic preservation with state-of-the-art technology. I am confident that the completed Plaza Theatre will be spectacular in every way.”
Construction is anticipated to begin in the first half of 2023. It is projected that the work will take approximately one year to complete, allowing the Plaza Theatre to open in the summer of 2024.
The Plaza Theater Foundation has raised $13.5M towards their goal of $16M. They have launched “The Next Act” fundraising campaign to raise the remaining funds by this summer. There are many ways in which the public may play a significant role in the Plaza Theatre restoration, including becoming a Founder, securing a Naming Opportunity for seats or other areas of the building, or making a general donation. For more information visit savetheplazatheatreps.org. 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.