Former West Palm mayor says Harriet Himmel Theater renovations threaten building's history

Wayne Washington, Palm Beach Post
Updated ·4 min read

The former West Palm Beach mayor who helped put together the deal that resulted in CityPlace and the architect who redesigned its cultural centerpiece, the Harriet Himmel Theater, said they are anguished by an ongoing redesign of the theater they fear will end its historic significance.

Former Mayor Nancy Graham said Related Cos. of New York, the development behemoth that owns the entertainment district and the theater, is reneging on its promise to preserve the architectural significance of the Himmel.

"I feel like they have gone back on their commitment," said Graham, who served as mayor of West Palm Beach from 1991 to 1999.

Graham said the city and area residents considered seeking a protective historic designation for the Himmel, which was built in 1926 and was a church before it was abandoned in the 1980s and remodeled into a cultural center in 2000.

But Related said such a designation was not necessary because it would protect the Himmel, Graham said.

"Now, I feel like they were just lying," Graham said.

Fencing outside the Harriet Himmel Theatre at The Square in West Palm Beach was put up in late March as work surrounding the building and interior continues.
Fencing outside the Harriet Himmel Theatre at The Square in West Palm Beach was put up in late March as work surrounding the building and interior continues.

What are Related's plans for The Harriet Himmel Theater at The Square?

Related is renovating big chunks of its entertainment district, which came into existence as CityPlace but is now known as The Square.

Precisely what the company has planned for the Himmel, considered a gem of the Mediterranean Revival architectural style with its symmetrical facades, arched windows and wrought iron railings, is unknown.

The building is closed, and the church that had been using it has moved to another location. Fencing and tape block access to it.

Remodeling work began on the interior of the Harriet Himmel Theatre in January 2024.
Remodeling work began on the interior of the Harriet Himmel Theatre in January 2024.

"At this time, we do not have anything to share about the site," said Daniella Turchin, president of a public relations firm that represents The Square.

Turchin responded to an email The Palm Beach Post sent to Related's marketing department.

Rick Gonzalez, whose firm renovated the Himmel in 2000, raised alarm bells about the current redesign.

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He said his firm bid for work in the current redesign but was unsuccessful. Gonzalez insisted that the unsuccessful bid is not the reason for his concerns about the Himmel's redesign.

In an opinion piece published last month in The Palm Beach Post, Gonzalez wrote: "It is with much sadness that I recently found out that the Related Companies of New York is planning unsympathetic, major, non-historic renovation to the interiors and exterior of the historic and cultural landmark Harriet Himmel Theater, in downtown West Palm Beach, to convert it to an Italian Food Hall."

Gonzalez told readers about the care he and his father, Rick Gonzalez Sr., put into the renovation of the Himmel. He amplified his concerns about the current renovation in a phone interview for this story.

The Harriet Himmel Theatre, created in 1926, is the centerpiece of The Square and has hosted numerous weddings and events through the years.
The Harriet Himmel Theatre, created in 1926, is the centerpiece of The Square and has hosted numerous weddings and events through the years.

But he later asked not to be quoted in the article, stating that he had gotten a cease-and-desist letter from CityPlace Retail LLC.

Florida business records show that CityPlace Retail shares an address with one of Related's office building projects, 30 Hudson Yards in Manhattan.

A cease-and-desist letter, a warning that is often a prelude to legal action, advises someone to stop speaking about a particular topic or taking specific actions.

Gonzalez explained in an email that CityPlace Retail claimed he signed a nondisclosure agreement. He said he and his attorney are researching the legality of the NDA because he only has a copy of it with his signature, not one signed by both parties.

Nancy Graham: Altering plans for building a 'slap in the face to the people of West Palm Beach'

Former West Palm Beach Mayor Nancy Graham in this October 20, 2000 photo overlooking new condominiums at CityPlace, now known as The Square.
Former West Palm Beach Mayor Nancy Graham in this October 20, 2000 photo overlooking new condominiums at CityPlace, now known as The Square.

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Graham said "I 100% agree" with the concerns Gonzalez raised in his opinion piece about the Himmel.

"Related said they'd preserve and take care of the building," Graham said. "Everybody was excited about the church being preserved. We wanted the building preserved."

Graham said she regrets not pursuing a historic designation for the Himmel.

"If I thought they weren't going to honor their original commitment, I would have done something else," she said. "For the developer to ignore that promise, it's a slap in the face to the people of West Palm Beach."

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Wayne Washington is a journalist covering West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and race relations at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at wwashington@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Former West Palm Mayor Nancy Graham: Himmel Theater's history threatened