Joel EngelhardtConcern over a proposed $20 million renovation of the old church at the center of CityPlace has West Palm Beach residents on the offensive, proposing historic designation for the church and formation of a preservation foundation.
The developers who own the site recently put out two renderings showing proposals for the east and south sides of the onetime First United Methodist Church, built in 1926 and nicknamed The Harriet.
Yes, but: No renderings show the north side, dominated by a wide stairway.
At least not officially. A February rendering leaked to Stet News shows the stairway cleft in two with the center carved out to allow access to the newly rebuilt retail space at ground level.
Such an alteration would jeopardize the building’s historic integrity. A spokesperson for the Related Cos. said Monday the rendering is outdated.
Why it’s important: The building is not pristine. For many years, it housed a ground-floor Starbucks. And the Il Bellagio restaurant extended from the south side. But previous updates preserved the church’s most prominent features, including the stairs.
What’s in a name: The Harriet is named for Harriet Himmel, who contributed $3 million in 2000 toward the church’s preservation. CityPlace is once again known as CityPlace after rotating through the names Rosemary Square and The Square.
Former Mayor Nancy Graham, who negotiated development agreements with CityPlace in the 1990s, told The Palm Beach Post in April that she believes the developers are breaking their promise to preserve the building’s architectural significance.
Not so, Related’s Ken Himmel said in a letter to The Post.
“Despite the fact it is not a designated historic landmark, we have never wavered from our commitment to respect the architectural significance of the building and once again make it a vibrant community destination,” Himmel (no relation to Harriet Himmel) wrote.
But residents are on edge as work on the building’s interior is underway.
- Margie Yansura, who grew up attending the church, asked the city’s Historic Preservation Board last month to pursue historic designation. The board agreed.
- Linda Cullen, who served for 15 years on the Historic Preservation Board, is working to create a preservation foundation modeled on one in Palm Beach that works to preserve the town’s “architectural and cultural heritage” and “unique scenic quality.”
“I can’t believe we have been without one,” she said in a letter to Graham. “In today’s ‘developer’ crazy environment, we must pay attention to our own area and what is planned.”
Joel is a founder, reporter and editor at Stet News. His award-winning newspaper career spanned more than 40 years, including 28 years at The Palm Beach Post, which he left in 2020. Joel lives with his wife in Palm Beach Gardens. He volunteers on the board of NAMI Palm Beach County and the Palm Beach Gardens Historical Society.
