Declare the Grove Playhouse as being historic?
The Coconut Grove Playhouse was discussed by National Register Review Board in Tallahassee on August 9. The Playhouse was considered for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
The board went over criteria of the building original 1927 design by Kiehel and Elliott Architects.
Melissa Wyllie, Director of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation and about nine other speakers spoke about the cultural significance of the Playhouse. Her organization has the playhouse on their list “11 Most Endangered Sites."
Architect Richard Heisenbottle, whose playhouse plans are part of the local discussion pointed out that the playhouse nomination was missing a proper description and documentation of the auditorium’s existing condition. Miami-Dade County has alternate plans, which call for the demolition of the structure, except for a small part up front.
"Specifically, little attention had been paid to the theater’s original Kiehnel-designed decorative proscenium arch or the existence of the original plaster ceiling, moldings and low relief," said Richard.
Board member Ellen Uguccione argued that the auditorium’s original interior had been erased by subsequent Alfred Browning Parker remodeling. However, Heisenbottle produced high resolution photographs clearly showing that all of this original work remains hidden above Parker's plywood ceiling and a/c ductwork.
Motions to forward the nomination of the playhouse to the National Park Service for final determination were passed unanimously by the Board. Heisenbottle's photographs and a description of the existing auditorium condition will be added to the nomination by SHPO staff. Miami-Dade County's plan for renovating the theater calls for demolition of the original auditorium and stagehouse.
National Register status will not become final until the National Park Service staff reviews the submission and rules upon it meeting the criteria. This process is expected to take approximately 90 days.
posted by Tom Falco at 4:00 AM
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8 Comments:
Flatten than shit out already.that place is the reason so much attention was brought to the Grove and destroyed.
When is the next election for Miami Dade County Mayor?
What is it with people that want to live in the past? Why do we need a historic playhouse? Who’s going to pay for its upkeep and what's going to be the purpose of this historic piece of junk? People are so afraid of change, how far back in time do you want to go? Ten,twenty, one hundred years? I say tear it down!
any thing over 20 y/o can be considered 'historic' in Florida.
New rule. Nothing is 'historic' unless it's over 500 years old. Try the rest of the world.
A community Thrives & Grows on it's foundation.
No foundation = dead community.
Constantly starting over is not progress.
Sledge, that makes no sence. Are you saying the Declaration of Independence and the Constituition of the United States have no historic significance and should also be destroyed? I hope we have not entered a new age of ignorance and mass stupidity, it certainly seems like it.
I agree with that statement. They are destroying our foundation and our community is dying.
It might be cool, for example if an effort was made to say, give Fuller an old time Grove ambience and give Commodore a modern look likewise for a few eateries. Such presentation could create an air of excitement, a fun adventure for visitors e resulting in a ton of social media pictures & videos. Or is such normal? Jobie Steppe
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