The historic Plaza Theatre in downtown Palm Springs was designed by architect Harry Williams in 1936. The Spanish Colonial style building opened on December 12, 1936 with the premiere of “Camille,” with Greta Garbo (who supposedly slipped into the theatre after the lights went down) and Robert Taylor, who came with Barbara Stanwyck (they married a few years later). This venue featured “live” performances by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Jack Benny, and Bob Hope. The Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy radio program was broadcast from the Plaza. Today, it is in a state of sad disrepair, but with the promise of restoration on the horizon.
Just a few days ago, the theatre received the welcome news of a $5 million contribution. “When I heard about that donation I almost hit the floor,” said J.R. Roberts, former Palm Springs city council member. “I couldn’t believe it, but I’m a softie for charity, so I had no trouble accepting it.” Roberts is the head of “Help Save The Plaza Theatre,” the group that’s working to return the venue to its former glory. Shortly after leaving the council in 2019, Roberts set up the non-profit Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation, which would raise the money to pay for the restoration.
Plaza Theatre is owned by the city, and city officials agreed to let city staff help with the project. The city has worked with Gensler, an international architectural firm based in Los Angeles, and Chattel Inc. an historic preservation consulting firm in Sherman Oaks. Both firms developed a tentative restoration plan, one meant to be a jumping-off point for the project, not a final blueprint. “The city council wanted to know what it was dealing with when we got started,” said Roberts, who said Gensler and Chattel are no longer involved in the project. “It’s a common practice with something like this.” 670 new seats will be installed, along with major infrastructure repairs, installation of new theatrical equipment and improvements to the building’s structural design. The latter will ensure the building (shuttered since 2014) meets fire prevention and American Disabilities Act requirements. Previously it had 800 seats. One Debbie-Downer commented:
I still want an answer...WHERE will everyone park.six hundred plus seats...based on 2 people per car...a minimum of 300 parking spots must be available...that is CREATED since they do not currently exist.
All kidding aside, it’s a fair question to ask, as the downtown area is not the easiest to navigate for visitors.
As you can see, all those photos I recently took are of the outside. I have yet to step inside the currently shuttered facility.
Naturally, I would love to photograph it, even (or should I say especially) in its current state of decay.
Anyone have connections?
If all goes as planned, fundraising for the restoration will be finished by the end of this year, and the work will be completed in late 2023 or early 2024, according to Roberts.
See more Palm Springs photos at my main website.
