Complimentary and open to the public.
Doors Open at 11:30 am | Lecture begins at 12 pm
Join us for an enlightening afternoon of talks exploring Bob Grace’s visionary leadership, the zoning code he helped implement, and how the code has shaped the built environment in Palm Beach. Preservation Foundation President & CEO Amanda Skier will lead a conversation between Director of Preservation & Planning Aimee Sunny and Town Councilman Ted Cooney that will be followed by a casual lunch. The afternoon will culminate with a presentation by architecture critic Paul Goldberger about new construction in historic communities.
Endowed by the family of the late Robert Grace, a distinguished civic leader and founding member of the Preservation Foundation, the symposium aims to honor Mr. Grace’s commitment to sensitive development and his contributions to shaping the town's architectural landscape. Held in collaboration with the Town Council and Town Staff, the 2024 symposium will present attendees with a series of enlightening lectures by architects, town staff, and design professionals working locally and nationally to delve into the theme of new construction within the Town of Palm Beach.
The symposium will build on the timeline created by the Preservation Foundation last year, detailing the history of Palm Beach’s built environment, from the Pioneer Era (1845-1900) to the present day, jointly tracing the roots of the town’s preservation movement and code reform efforts during the 1970s and 80s. In the decade prior, the town saw vigorous re-development efforts, kickstarted by the condominium movement and accompanied by tragic demolitions, such as that of the Addison Mizner-designed John Phipps estate Casa Bendita and the Palm Beach Pier.
