Historic Paramount Theatre on Palm Beach Island is in review for redevelopment and would offer a private club and restaurant

The upcoming Town Council development review meeting next week will feature a presentation of the revised redevelopment plans for the historic Paramount Theatre Building. After acquiring the property in 2021 for $14 million through Woerner Holdings LP, Lester Woerner and his son, Trent, aim to restore the theater to its former glory. The Paramount Theatre, a 1,250-seat venue designed by Joseph Urban, opened in 1927 and was a major entertainment center in Palm Beach, hosting notable performers like George Gershwin and Al Jolson. However, its cinema closed in 1980, and the auditorium was repurposed for retail and office space.

The initial redevelopment plan included two restaurants, a 250-seat event space, and four large residential units on the adjacent parking lot. However, community concerns about traffic and design led to significant revisions. The updated plan, which has been redesigned 25 times, now proposes a smaller public-facing restaurant, a private club, and resized residential buildings. The team has reduced the number of variances required and eliminated some public amenities to address traffic concerns and neighborhood feedback.

Woerner's team, which includes former Landmarks Preservation Commission chairs, has worked closely with the town staff and the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach to refine the project. They emphasize honoring the building's past and minimizing new development's impact on the town. The Town Council will review Woerner's request for a special exception and 20 variances needed to proceed with the project, considering the nonconformity of the Paramount Theatre Building with current zoning codes.

The Town Council will also discuss other matters in their regular Tuesday meeting, including townwide undergrounding projects, fire prevention ordinances, the Midtown Beach Renourishment Project, and amendments to the comprehensive plan for the Wells Fargo site on South County Road. Public participation is available in person or via Zoom, with details available on the town's Meeting Audio page.

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