Armory Art Center restoring historic Art Deco building

Daily News Staff Report
·2 min read
An artist's rendering shows what the exterior of the historic Old Armory Building in West Palm Beach will look like after a renovation project is complete.
An artist's rendering shows what the exterior of the historic Old Armory Building in West Palm Beach will look like after a renovation project is complete.

The Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach is in the process of restoring the historic Old Armory building.

The months-long project will require temporary closures of various areas of the building as they undergo repairs. Summer classes will not be affected by the brief interruptions, the organization said.

The Art Deco building was designed by William Manley King andbuilt in 1939by the Works Progress Administration to serve as a training center for soldiers and National Guardsmen. Into the 1980s, it remained an armory and also was used as a community venue for high school dances and other public events. Over the years, notables such as opera star Luciano Pavarotti and actor Burt Reynolds used the building for art exhibitions and fundraisers.

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The Armory Art Center, designed by William Manley King and built in 1939 by the Works Progress Administration, is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places.
The Armory Art Center, designed by William Manley King and built in 1939 by the Works Progress Administration, is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places.

After it fell into disrepair, local activists saved it from demolition in 1987. The founding members of the Armory Art Center restored the building for use as an art center. The building was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1992.

“The Armory Art Center has a longstanding history right here in Palm Beach County,” said John Suau, CEO. “By investing in this iconic building with support from the Florida Department of State Division of Historic Resources and the Armory Art Center’s board of directors, we’re investing in the next chapter of our rich legacy.”

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Suau
Suau

Phase one of the restoration, under the direction of West Palm Beach-based architect Rick Gonzalez, will focus on the building's exterior and include a new roof, windows, and doors.

Next, interior spaces will be renovated with updates to the administrative offices, the jewelry and metalworking studios, the galleries, and a new Armory Art Center Shop.

The Armory Art Center is at 811 Park Place, West Palm Beach. For more information, visit armoryart.org.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Armory Art Center restoring historic Art Deco building