Local preservationists, who have been unable to stop the demolition through litigation, are mounting a letter-writing campaign to induce state officials to intervene.
Miami-Dade County is moving forward with its plan to demolish the rear auditorium of the Coconut Grove Playhouse, restore the historic front of the structure, and resurrect the cultural landmark as a modern 300-seat theater, despite the determined opposition of local preservationists.
Construction crews knocked down a substantial portion of the iconic building in recent days (see photos below, from August 17), while opponents have been organizing a letter-writing campaign to induce state officials to intervene in the long-running battle over the fate of the playhouse.
The playhouse is owned by the state, but leased to the county. The county is seeking to reopen the playhouse in 2027, the 100th anniversary of the theater, with GableStage as the resident theater company.
As a former member of the Board of the Coconut Grove Playhouse, I am baffled by the never-ending refusal to accept the design worked out by the County for the property. One of the most knowledgeable, dedicated, charitable and involved neighbors of these narrow-minded objectors tried for a long time to put together a plan for a larger theatre on the property, either restored or new, and could not accomplish it. I daresay that not one of the objectors ever offered to invest or even help to make it happen. They are the reason that for almost 20 years the old, decaying building has remained closed and truly an eyesore in the beautiful community of Coconut Grove. I have searched for a polite word to express this and could not find one. So here it is. “Shut up”! Accept the beautifully designed development that is available to you and support the rejuvenation of The Coconut Gove Playhouse.
The “design worked out by the County” is not what was agreed upon by the County and the Coconut Grove community, including the West Grove (now Little Bahamas) at a 3-day Charette in 2010. That Charette was sponsored by the University of Miami and was very well attended. Michael Spring, the County’s chief of Cultural Affairs, agreed there that renovation would include a 600-seat theater, not the less than 300 seats now proposed. For me, it’s not the number of seats so much as it is the process, and the transparency of that process, or lack thereof. All the County has needed to do, even at this late date, is return to the HEP Board as that Board has requested. That citizen Board of architects and planners is well qualified to review the County’s “final” plans, to ensure that this important City cultural asset remains on the National Historic Register. Also, that the County’s planned commercial components do not unnecessarily intrude into the immediately adjacent historic Bahamian residential neighborhood that had a barbed wire fence separating it until a few years ago. Is that too much to ask?
Very unfortunate. The Grove once had the bohemian culture, back in the 70’s and 80’s, and is now extremely commercial, ultra expensive to live. All the fun is gone.
Completely agree.
City of Miami has no respect for history or conservation. They deliberately allowed this beautiful playhouse to fall apart so they can tear it down. It was not by accident. The Grove was the bohemian, tree canopy neighborhood full of pedestrians, interesting shops and respect for habitats around us. Gables – manicured, Pinecrest – suburban, Bayside and Beach more touristy and fun. It worked for the most part and everyone was happy. Then our CIty Officials decided it was ok to take down trees, push height and other restrictions and just develop and cement it all away. Including the slow destruction of Biscayne Bay. Those mega yachts do not belong in the shallower waters here. Those small specialty stores taken down for Starbucks and over priced mediocre places. We have added much more concrete, overdevelopment and insanely stressful traffic. Shame on all the City officials who allowed the Playhouse to get that way and have no sense of morality for what’s right.