Plaza Theatre on National Registry of Historic Places

National Registry of Historic Places Helps Identify, Evaluate, Protect America’s Historic, Archaeological Resources

PALM SPRINGS — The Plaza Theatre has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the official list of the nation’s historic places worthy of preservation, the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation announced.

Administered by the National Park Service at the U.S. Department of Interior, the National Register helps identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archaeological resources. The iconic Plaza Theatre, first constructed in 1936 and designed by architect Harry J. Williams, recently reopened after an extensive restoration, which was done in accordance with the strict historical guidelines set by the National Park Service. The final restoration received approval by both the California Office of Historic Preservation and the National Park Service.

The Plaza Theatre is an excellent example of a 1930s Spanish Colonial Revival atmospheric theater. It embodies the significant features of the style and property type, including its complex massing, clay tile hipped roof, painted concrete exterior walls, arched fenestration, steel windows, wood paneled primary doors at the exterior, its double-height auditorium with coved ceiling, Spanish-themed sidewalls, raised stage and sloped seating, and main entry foyer at the interior. The approximately 15,110-square-foot concrete building has undergone few alterations since its original construction and retains all aspects of historic integrity and is closely associated with the early twentieth century commercial development of Palm Springs. It is the only known historic atmospheric theatre, with its facades and starry skies, in the Coachella Valley. The theatre was a venue for star-studded charity events and benefit shows, live theatre and variety shows, and live audience radio show recordings including celebrities such as Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, and many others who significantly contributed to our nation’s cultural heritage.

Being on the National Register of Historic Places was part of the process to secure Federal Historic Tax Credits by the City of Palm Springs and the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation to help offset the City’s restoration costs. The Federal Historic Tax Credits will net approximately $2.8 million in tax credit funds.

“The Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs recently underwent a significant restoration process,” said Judith Blanchard, the Foundation board member who helped secure the Historic Tax Credits. “Historically preserving, restoring, and updating this nearly 100-year-old building was a complicated and expensive project, and we are thrilled that our hard work has been recognized with this designation to be listed on the prestigious National Register of Historic Places.”

For more information about the Theatre and the Foundation, please visit PalmSpringsPlazaTheatre.com.