The City of Palm Springs has formalized a partnership with the Oakview Group to refurbish the historic Palm Springs Plaza Theatre into a venue for live music and entertainment. The restoration work is set to commence this spring.
In a Facebook post announcing the collaboration, the City of Palm Springs expressed its gratitude: "A big thank you to the Oakview Group for their investment in preserving and renewing this historic theatre for current and future generations of Palm Springs residents and visitors."
According to Billboard, under this partnership, Oak View Group, which also owns and operates Acrisure Arena, will take on management duties, program planning, and the pursuit of new sponsorship opportunities for the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre. The agreement further provides that the city will have 21 days per year allocated for public programming such as state-of-the-city addresses and cultural and civic programs. Restoration work is expected to begin next month with an estimated completion date in fall 2024.
As stated in a press release by the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation, in 2021, they initiated a capital fundraising campaign to finance restoration work. The foundation has been successful in securing several grants including a $5 million challenge grant from David Lee, $2 million from the City of Palm Springs itself, and $2.5 million from the State of California. In March last year during the final fundraising phase, Oakview Group contributed with a $1 million matching grant.
The same press release reveals that since its construction in 1936, the building has served as a venue for film premieres and screenings as well as nationally broadcast radio theatre programs among other performances. It hosted performances by renowned artists like Bing Crosby, Amos ‘n’ Andy, Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra among others. In 1990, it became home to "The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies."