Help Us Save the
Coconut Grove Playhouse
Miami-Dade County is seeking approval to demolish more than 80% of the
historic Coconut Grove Playhouse and replace it with
a retail/office complex and a small 300-seat auditorium.
Join our grassroots movement to advocate for the
full preservation and restoration of this significant building that is on
the National Register of Historic Places!
historic Coconut Grove Playhouse and replace it with
a retail/office complex and a small 300-seat auditorium.
Join our grassroots movement to advocate for the
full preservation and restoration of this significant building that is on
the National Register of Historic Places!
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.
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 600+ seat regional LORT (League of Resident Theatres).
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
You can also call Mayor Cava at 305-375-5071 and
let her know how you stand on the Coconut Grove Playhouse Issue!
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.
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
On-Site Lecture - History, Survey, Conficts and Future
Richard Heisenbottle, FAIA
January 2021
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Help us Save The Coconut Grove Playhouse
A Significant Historic Property
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.
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
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
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