SAVE THE COCONUT GROVE PLAYHOUSE
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Help Us Save the
​Coconut Grove Playhouse

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The demolition of the historic Coconut Grove Playhouse is imminent and
is proceeding without proper legal or historic review.

​Learn More Here

Our Vision

We envision a Coconut Grove Playhouse restored in accordance with the
State and Secretary of Interior Guidelines, as approved and funded by voters,
that serves as a gateway to the historic Evangelist Street/Charles Avenue district.
We envision a Coconut Grove Playhouse that reclaims its legacy as
an important regional theater and the cultural centerpiece of Coconut Grove.


Our Advocacy Position 

The Coconut Grove Playhouse building should be immediately secured, protected from the elements and vandalism, and prepared for hurricane season.
  • The restoration of the Playhouse must comply with the Secretary of Interior’s guidelines for historic preservation and maintain its City, State of Florida and National Register historic designations. 
  • The City of Miami Historic & Environmental Preservation Board must approve the City's plan for the Playhouse redevelopment. 
  • The County is in violation of Florida Statute 267 that mandates consultation with the Division of Historical Resources (DHR) for undertakings on state lands to assure that significant historic properties are not inadvertently disturbed, transferred, sold, demolished, substantially altered, or allowed to deteriorate significantly.  A 267 review HAS NOT been requested or completed by DHR.
  • The Coconut Grove Playhouse should be restored as a 500+ seat regional LORT (League of Resident Theatres). As Miami's only LORT theater, it would be able to attract top-tier union actors and productions at the highest level of regional professional theater. 

Learn About the Key Issues:

See the Timeline for the latest update on the
​legal status of the Playhouse.

​See other historic properties that have undergone restoration in this Historic_​Precedent Study


This video explores the efforts to stop the demolition of the historic Coconut Grove Playhouse, addressing topics like historic preservation,
community activism, ​sustainability, and local development challenges.


​Take Action Now!

​GoFundMe Page

SIGN OUR PETITION
Email Mayor Daniella Levine cava
You can also call Mayor Cava at 305-375-5071 and
​let her know how you stand on the Coconut Grove Playhouse Issue!

STOP THE DEMOLITION!

Miami Dade County and Florida International University (FIU) are under a 99 year lease with the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

For ten years, the County has fought to overturn historic preservation laws and has engaged in "Demolition by Neglect" tactics by allowing the Playhouse structure to deteriorate. 
A Stabilization Plan must be implemented immediately to save this historic structure.

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This Historic Treasure

City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez vetoed the City's Commission vote to approve the County's plan. The County made an appeal to the County's Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court to overturn the veto. The Court ruled on July 22, 2020 that it has no jurisdiction to address the merits of County’s appeal. ​ Learn more...
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This Place Matters

Our grassroots movement includes our local community and the national theater community. Share your memories of the Coconut Grove Playhouse and how this place matters to you.  
​Join Us!


The Heisenbottle Plan for Full Restoration

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View Heisenbottle Plan

On-Site Lecture - History, Survey, Conficts and Future
​Richard Heisenbottle, FAIA
​January 2021

Help us Save The Coconut Grove Playhouse

A Significant Historic Property

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The entire Coconut Grove Playhouse building is designated as
Historic by City of Miami Historic Preservation Board and it is on the
National Register of Historic Places designated by the US Department of the Interior.
Miami-Dade County plans to go forward WITHOUT an approval from the City of Miami Historic, Environmental & Preservation Board and WITHOUT a 267 Review which is
​MANDATED on historic properties in Florida.

An Important Historic District

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Evangelist Street was the first street built by the early Bahamian settlers. 
The street became the cultural and commercial center for the Bahamian community,
extending from the Playhouse at Main Highway to Douglas Road. 
In the early 1900s the street's name was changed to Charles Avenue
after early settler Joseph Frow's son, Charles.  
Evangelist Street/Charles Avenue symbolizes the thriving Bahamian community in the area.
View Designation Report 

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Save The Coconut Grove Playhouse
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  • Home
  • About
  • History
  • This Place Matters
  • Point/Counter Point
  • About Historic Designation
  • About Regional Theatre
  • Timeline
  • No Confusion
  • Q & A
  • Contact
  • In the News
  • Become an Advocate