The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation has announced a major milestone in the preservation of local history: the Plaza Theatre has been officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the nation’s authoritative list of historic sites deemed worthy of protection. The designation, administered by the National Park Service at the U.S. Department of the Interior, recognizes the theatre’s architectural significance, cultural legacy, and its vital role in the early development of Palm Springs.
Originally built in 1936 and designed by architect Harry J. Williams, the Plaza Theatre recently reopened following an extensive restoration completed in strict accordance with National Park Service preservation standards. Both the California Office of Historic Preservation and the National Park Service approved the final restoration, affirming the project’s fidelity to the building’s historic character.
The Plaza Theatre stands as a rare and remarkably intact example of a 1930s Spanish Colonial Revival atmospheric theatre. Its defining features include clay tile hipped roofs, painted concrete walls, arched fenestration, steel windows, wood-paneled exterior doors, and a double‑height auditorium with a coved ceiling and Spanish‑themed interior details. The 15,110‑square‑foot structure has undergone minimal alteration since its construction, preserving its historic integrity and maintaining its connection to Palm Springs’ early commercial era. It is the only known atmospheric theatre—complete with stylized facades and starry‑sky effects—in the Coachella Valley.
For decades, the Plaza Theatre served as a cultural hub, hosting star‑studded charity events, variety shows, live theatre, and radio broadcasts featuring legendary performers such as Jack Benny, Bob Hope, and Frank Sinatra. These appearances helped cement the theatre’s place in the nation’s entertainment history.
The National Register designation also played a key role in securing Federal Historic Tax Credits for the City of Palm Springs and the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation. These credits will provide approximately $2.8 million to help offset restoration costs, supporting the long‑term preservation of this nearly century‑old landmark.
The Plaza Theatre now joins an esteemed group of Palm Springs sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Albert Frey–designed Palm Springs Visitor Center, the Frank Sinatra Estate (Twin Palms), the Palm Springs International Airport terminal, the Edris House, the Arthur Elrod House, Frey House II, and Coachella Valley Savings II.
More information about the theatre and ongoing preservation efforts can be found at PalmSpringsPlazaTheatre.com.