A glimpse at Delray Beach's renovated Crest Theatre at Old School Square

Jasmine Fernández, Palm Beach Post

DELRAY BEACH — Recently renovated, Old School Square's Crest Theatre has a fresh look for its lobby, reception area and entry restrooms for guests.

"We are proud to have been able to bring these renovations to the community, returning this important city asset to the community, so that the rich cultural and artistic heritage of the Crest Theatre can be enjoyed by all," Public Works Director Missie Barletto said.

The modernization of the building, which is at Swinton Avenue and Northeast First Street and is nearly a century old, brings it up to current building codes. Here's what else is new at the theatre:

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Recently renovated, Old School Square's Crest Theatre will now feature updates in its lobby, reception area and entry restrooms for guests. Future renovations in the auditorium will be required.
Recently renovated, Old School Square's Crest Theatre will now feature updates in its lobby, reception area and entry restrooms for guests. Future renovations in the auditorium will be required.

Improvements were made to the theater's kitchen, which will allow for more flexible use of meeting spaces, and adds a venue for future culinary arts classes. The repurposing of a restroom created an American with Disabilities Act-accessible bathroom and the remodeling of a meeting room allowed for a reception area with a bar. An expansion was made to the venue's lounge room, too.

Renovations were completed in January. But future renovations in the auditorium will be required, Barletto said. These will restore the auditorium to a modern performing arts venue that is, again, available for public use.

Improvements were made to the theatre's kitchen, which will allow for more flexible use of meeting spaces, as well as add a venue for future culinary arts classes.
Improvements were made to the theatre's kitchen, which will allow for more flexible use of meeting spaces, as well as add a venue for future culinary arts classes.

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How long has the Crest Theatre been around?

Delray Beach's Crest Theatre is housed in Old School Square's restored 1925 Delray High School Building. In 1993, it was dedicated as the Square's performing arts center. Before then, it had been the high school's auditorium.

Originally, the stage was just 12 feet deep. After being remodeled into what is now the Crest Theatre, two stories of additional space were added to provide backstage, dressing room and storage areas.

Now a state-of-the-art facility, the Crest Theatre seats 323 guests, and its original proscenium, or the part of the stage in front of the curtain, remains a significant historic feature.

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What else will be available to the public at the Crest Theatre?

While no events will be planned until the auditorium's renovations are complete, the Crest Theatre will, again, serve as a venue for community organizations, groups and schools to present their own productions and presentations once it's re-opened to the public.

Surrounding the theatre, there are nine restored classrooms, available for use as meeting, workshop, reception and class spaces.

There is no set timeline for when the auditorium's renovations will be complete, city officials say.

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Jasmine Fernández is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at jfernandez@pbpost.com and follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @jasminefernandz. Help support our work. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Delray Beach Old School Square's Crest Theatre undergoes renovation

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