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Help Us Save the Coconut Grove Playhouse

Miami-Dade County is seeking approval to demolish more than 83% of the
historic Coconut Grove Playhouse building 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.

Learn About the Key Issues:

​Take Action Now!

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!

Our Advocacy Position 

1. The Coconut Grove Playhouse building should be immediately secured and protected from the elements and vandalism.
2. 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. 
3. There must be a respected architect with impeccable historic credentials fully in charge of assuring that the Playhouse does not lose its historic designations.
4. There should be a 600+-seat theatre allowing for maximum flexibility.

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 nine 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...

This Place Matters

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

Compare the County Plan with a plan for a fully restored historic theatre. 

The full restoration, including state of art stage updates, of the landmarked Coconut Grove Playhouse could look like this.   Learn more

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

Help us Save The Coconut Grove Playhouse

A Significant Historical 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.

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 

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