Palm Beach Opera is excited to announce it has successfully purchased an 18,000 square-foot facility to house its staff, artist training programs, rehearsals, and more, marking an important milestone for the company as it approaches its 60th anniversary season.
The decades-long search for a property that Palm Beach Opera could call home has come to fruition in a facility located at 425 24th St. in West Palm Beach, formerly owned by Center for Creative Education. Located in the historic Northwood community, the facility boasts a variety of functional spaces that PBO will use to create offices for administrative staff, host rehearsals and artist training sessions, store production materials, and support education and community engagement programs.
“Palm Beach Opera has always dreamed of finding a place to call home, and when the opportunity came to secure this unique space, we knew we couldn’t pass it up,” said General and Artistic Director David Walker. “From facing the challenges of the pandemic to presenting its first-ever outdoor festival, Palm Beach Opera has continued to show incredible strength and agility, and this resilience has enabled us to take this next important step. This new venture marks a huge accomplishment and commitment for the company, and is a testament to PBO’s bright future.”
The purchase of the building not only secures a permanent home for the company, but will also allow the organization to expand their reach, connect and collaborate with the eclectic Northwood community, and deepen its commitment to providing impactful programming to South Floridians.
“We are thrilled to have Palm Beach Opera join Northwood’s arts-thriving neighborhood, and we look forward to collaborating with them on how we can make the most out of this exciting new partnership and continue impacting our community in important and inspiring ways,” said Will Davis, President of the Northwood Village Merchants Association.
To transform the building into a state-of-the-art teaching, training, rehearsal, and administrative space that meets PBO’s dynamic needs, the company has enlisted Schuler Shook, an internationally recognized theater planning firm that has earned a reputation for creating innovative and tailored theater spaces and has planned Opera Center spaces for many other companies.
“At Schuler Shook, we adore opera, and we specialize in creating sensitive designs that are carefully crafted to the needs of each project,” said Schuler Shook Partner Todd Hensley. “We look forward to bringing Palm Beach Opera’s artistic vision to life and helping the organization reach new heights with this space.”
Following the planned renovations which will begin next summer, Palm Beach Opera intends to move into the building by fall of 2022.
Palm Beach Opera is dedicated to producing live opera at an international standard of excellence, to enriching the life of the communities it serves with a diverse offering of educational programs, and to training the next generation of opera stars. Founded in 1961, the fully professional Palm Beach Opera presents main stage performances at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach and is a proud member of OPERA America and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County.