It’s been almost a decade since Charles Cohen, a New York developer, bought the iconic Carefree Theatre in West Palm Beach with plans for an indie movie venue, residences, and a restaurant. After several failed attempts to get approval from the city and the El Cid community, Cohen has decided to remove the theater concept entirely and scale back the plan.
Here’s the new, streamlined proposal:
- 58 Residential Units: The plan now includes two buildings—46 units in “El Flamingo” and 12 units in “El Cordova”—with a much lower density than before.
- Retail & Restaurant: Instead of a theater, Cohen is adding 3,600 square feet of retail space and a restaurant to the mix.
- Reduced Heights & Design: The buildings will be much smaller, with heights of around 56 feet and 44 feet, designed to blend better with the historic El Cid neighborhood.
- Underground Parking: Cohen’s new plan includes one level of underground parking (down from two), which should help ease traffic concerns.
While some community members support the development, others are still hesitant, especially with the added retail space. Cohen is also asking for waivers on some city regulations, including setback restrictions and minimum acreage requirements.
West Palm Beach is experiencing rapid growth, with more residents moving in and increasing demand for housing. Though the theater idea has been scrapped, Cohen is still looking for a location for an entertainment venue in the city. For now, the new proposal will add much-needed residential space to the area and contribute to the revival of Dixie Highway.
