The beloved Royal Poinciana Playhouse is set to make its greatly anticipated return in 2023 after a redesign and renovation.
The Royal Poinciana Playhouse in the 1960s
Palm Beach’s crown jewel, the Royal Poinciana Playhouse, is getting a much-deserved face-lift . Set to break ground early this summer, The Royal Poinciana Plaza and WS Development have joined forces to bring the Playhouse back to life with a 400- seat theater and stage with a retractable backdrop wall, a 200-seat restaurant with alfresco dining and 12,000 square feet of retail space. “For seven years we’ve worked tirelessly to study how we could reopen the Playhouse in a way that will ensure long-term success,” says Alexandra Clark, vice president of asset strategy and experience at WS development. “Our overwhelming passion to execute this project in a compelling way has always been top of mind, and to finally be in a position where we are so confident in our development plans and operator… there are almost no words that capture our happiness.”
Originally designed by renowned local architect John Volk in 1958, the iconic landmark will keep its roots as a true community center, and many elements of the main facade—think Roman statues, quoins and curved designs—will remain intact. “The Royal Poinciana Plaza and playhouse are undoubtedly two of John Volk’s most significant and enduring works,” says Amanda Skier, president and CEO of the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach. “WS Development’s commitment to reopening the Playhouse with a viable business plan is commendable.”
The renovation undoubtedly elevates Palm Beach’s arts scene with an impressive lineup of plays, concerts, art exhibits and more. INNOVATE, a public company chaired by Palm Beach native Avie Glazer, is committed to instill its passion for the arts, education, charity and sports into the project. He shares, “INNOVATE expects to develop a world-class multipurpose cultural and performing arts space that will be a tremendous addition to the entire Palm Beach community.” With luxurious experiences that have previously only been accessible through private memberships, the remastered Playhouse will allow Palm Beach residents and visitors alike to experience this gem like never before. 340 Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach, 561.440.5441
Photography by: PHOTO COURTESY OF PRESERVATION FOUNDATION OF PALM BEACH
