Paramount project in Palm Beach undergoes major revisions following neighbor objections

Plans to redevelop and restore the historic Paramount Theatre building and neighboring parking lot in Palm Beach have undergone significant changes after the project was heavily criticized at a Town Council meeting last month.

Noting concerns about traffic, building heights and proposed uses that were raised at the Jan. 10 meeting, property owner Lester Woerner agreed to eliminate the most controversial elements of the project.

According to plans submitted to the town Monday, the project no longer will include four, multi-story townhomes that were to be built on the current parking lot, and an undergrounding parking garage with 162 spaces.

Woerner also dropped 18 of the previously requested 20 variances, leaving in place one for a roof-top generator, and one for mechanical screening to exceed the height permitted by town code.

As shown in the plans, the existing parking lot would remain, while more landscape area and landscape material would be added. Additionally, plans call for the creation of an entry way on the south façade of the existing theater building.

Woerner, who with his son, Trent, purchased the nearly century-old Paramount property in 2021, told the Daily News he and his design team modified the plans in an effort to address concerns raised by residents, neighbors and council members.

Last month's council meeting drew dozens of residents who opposed the project.

"We're trying to meet the needs and trying to engage as many people and have the most acceptable outcome," Woerner said.

Original plans for the redevelopment of the property called for a major renovation of the landmarked Paramount Theatre building on the southeast corner of North County Road and Sunrise Avenue, as well as an extensive redevelopment of the surface parking lot directly to the south.

Plans included two public-facing restaurants, a 250-seat event space and four 8,000-square-foot, multistory homes that would be built on the parking lot, with two below-ground parking levels and retail on the first floor of the three houses that would face North County Road.

Opposition to the plans was stiff, however, and Woerner and his project team went back to the drawing board.

After gathering feedback from residents and consulting with town staff and the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, the Woerners eliminated the public-facing restaurants and added a 225-member private club and a small public-facing restaurant that would be open for breakfast and lunch.

More adjustments were made after additional concerns about traffic and other impacts were raised at a Landmarks Preservation Commission meeting in April.

"Although it was clear everyone wants to see the historic building property restored, and we received an abundance of praise for our plans for the historic building, constructive comments were made about the design of the residential component," Woerner said.

Woerner's design team then made numerous adjustments in the heights and massing of the residential buildings, reducing one home to two stories and the others to three.

Numerous variances also were eliminated, while the 250-person public event space and the public-facing restaurant were dropped. The private club was expanded to 475 members from 225.

Those plans, however, also ran into stiff resistance. Following a five-hour discussion last month, the council unanimously agreed to delay consideration of the project until March. Woerner told the Daily News he was disappointed with the decision, but he's hopeful that the new plans submitted Monday would be acceptable to those who have opposed earlier versions.

"I hold out hope, and I continue to have hope, for the future," he said. "Since then, we've made significant adjustments. We heard from everybody, and we're trying to compromise. We're trying to get as many concerns addressed as possible."

The modified plans submitted Monday keep intact the planned restoration of the 1,250-seat Paramount Theater, though the use will change.

The space will be used as a private social club with a membership of 475. Members will be selected to ensure that more than 50% are residents to satisfy the town's "town-serving" requirement, according to the plans. The maximum occupancy at any given time will not exceed 412 people.

The renovated theater area also will continue to host Sunday morning church services for up to 200 attendees. There will be no retail component in the new plans.

Currently, the Paramount counts 16 tenants, including offices that house the Palm Beach Police & Fire Foundation and the Palm Beach Civic Association. Storefront tenants include Palm Beach Pilates, French Wine Merchant and Chik Monk.

Woerner said he will ask the town for permission to host 12 public events per year at the theater, including musicals and art shows.

The purpose of that request, he told the Daily News, is to ensure that the public can enjoy the restoration of the historic theater, which opened in 1927 and once hosted legendary performers such as George Gershwin, Al Jolson, Will Rogers and Billie Burke.

"I was never of the thought process of having the Paramount Theatre, which is an iconic, important property, almost closed off to the greater community," Woerner said. "That was just not part of my interest. My interest is having the Paramount engaging the community. It's a 33480 asset, and it's been here 100 years as part of the architectural culture and design of this community. It made it what it is today.

"If this is the only way forward to restore it, so be it. I'll be satisfied with that. But I'm hoping I can get the town to at least agree to 12 events per year so that people in this community do have an opportunity to be able to come to the Paramount and enjoy this restoration."

Woerner said he's spoken with residents who live near the Paramount, and he said there was strong support for the changes that were made to the plans, particularly as they relate to the number of variances that will be requested.

The modified plans will be presented to the Town Council when it meets as the development review committee March 13, and Woerner is hopeful for a positive outcome so he and his team can begin moving forward with the restoration.

"It's an historical treasure, and it's the last one to be restored," he said of the Paramount. "I believe it's the most important one to be restored in the last 50 years. I am hoping that in March, we can get this plan approved so we can move forward and actually see the Paramount back to its glory."

Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Controversial Paramount project in Palm Beach gets major revisions