You’ve seen it. Even if the address 700 S Rosemary Ave West Palm Beach doesn't immediately ring a bell, the visual of the old Harriet Himmel Theater almost certainly does. It’s that massive, Spanish Colonial Revival building that looks like it was plucked out of a different century and dropped right into the middle of a high-end shopping district. Most people just call the area CityPlace—or the Square, if you’re trying to keep up with the rebranding efforts of Related Companies—but 700 S Rosemary Ave is the specific plot of land where the soul of West Palm Beach’s downtown redevelopment actually lives.
It’s a weird mix. On one hand, you’ve got a historic 1926 church building. On the other, you have a neighborhood that has spent the last decade trying to figure out if it wants to be a mall, a cultural hub, or a luxury office park.
The Identity Crisis of 700 S Rosemary Ave West Palm Beach
Let's be real: West Palm Beach has a habit of tearing things down. We love a shiny new glass tower. But 700 S Rosemary Ave is different because it’s the one piece of the puzzle that stayed put while everything else around it vanished or morphed. Originally the First United Methodist Church, the building was designed by the same architects behind the Breakers Hotel—Schultze and Weaver. That’s why it feels so "Palm Beach." It has those heavy cypress ceilings and cast-stone details that you just don't see in modern construction.
When CityPlace opened in 2000, this address was supposed to be the cultural centerpiece. It was the Harriet Himmel Theater. For years, it hosted weddings, jazz concerts, and non-profit galas. If you grew up in the area, you probably went to a bar mitzvah or a silent auction there. But things shifted. The retail landscape changed. Amazon happened. Then the pandemic happened. Suddenly, having a giant theater in the middle of a shopping center felt a little bit like owning a tuxedo in a world where everyone is wearing lululemon.
Related Companies, the developers who basically own this entire zip code, realized they couldn't just rely on foot traffic from Macy's (which is gone now anyway). They had to pivot.
From Cultural Hall to "The Square"
If you walk by 700 S Rosemary Ave today, the vibe is different. It’s no longer just a place where you go to see a show once a year. The surrounding area has been flooded with "experiential" retail. We're talking about places like West Elm, Sur La Table, and a whole lot of high-end fitness concepts.
The building at 700 S Rosemary Ave itself has faced rumors of major interior shifts. There was a lot of talk about it becoming a high-end furniture showroom or even an event space for a specific tech brand. But the exterior remains a protected landmark. You can’t touch those walls. This creates a fascinating tension between the 1920s architecture and the 2026 reality of West Palm Beach as "Wall Street South."
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The influx of wealth from New York and Connecticut has turned Rosemary Avenue into a playground for people who think $18 for a green juice is a bargain. This isn't necessarily a bad thing for property values, but it has definitely changed the "feel" of the street. It’s less "local hangout" and more "curated lifestyle experience."
Why This Specific Block Matters More Than You Think
Why do people care about 700 S Rosemary Ave West Palm Beach specifically? It’s because it’s the transition point.
South of this address, the neighborhood starts to feel a bit more residential and quiet. North of it, you’re headed straight into the belly of the beast—the restaurants, the fountains, and the noise. This building acts as a buffer. It’s the visual anchor that prevents the whole area from looking like a generic outdoor mall in Irvine, California.
- The Architecture: Those arched windows and the bell tower are iconic.
- The Location: It sits at the intersection of Rosemary and Hibiscus, which is basically the 50-yard line of downtown.
- The History: It’s one of the few places in the city where you can actually see the craftsmanship of the pre-Depression era.
Honestly, the way the light hits the coquina-style stone at around 5:30 PM is probably the best photo op in the city. If you’re visiting, that’s the time to be there.
The Real Estate Reality
Let's talk numbers, but keep it simple. The land value around 700 S Rosemary Ave has skyrocketed. When Stephen Ross and Related began the massive overhaul to turn CityPlace into "The Square," they weren't just painting walls. They were betting on the idea that people want to live where they work and eat.
That’s why you see the massive 360 Rosemary office building just a stone's throw away. It’s why Goldman Sachs and other firms are moving in nearby. The 700 S Rosemary address provides the "prestige" that these firms want. Nobody wants to have an office next to a failing mall; everyone wants an office next to a historic landmark that feels like a European plaza.
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What’s Actually Inside Now?
There’s often confusion about what you can actually do inside the building at 700 S Rosemary Ave. For a long time, it was strictly an event space. Recently, the usage has become more flexible. It’s used for community pop-ups, high-end private events, and sometimes even art installations during Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary.
But here is the catch: it’s not always open to the public. You can't just wander in and buy a coffee. You have to wait for an event. This has led some locals to feel a bit disconnected from it. It’s like a beautiful trophy that you can look at but can’t really touch unless you’re on the guest list.
Surrounding Hotspots You Can't Miss
If you’re heading to the 700 block of Rosemary, you aren't just going for the one building. You’re going for the ecosystem.
- The Fountain: Just north of 700 S Rosemary. It’s been renovated to be more "interactive," which basically means kids run through it while parents drink wine at the nearby tables.
- True Food Kitchen: Directly across. It’s the unofficial canteen for the downtown fitness crowd.
- The Palm Beach County Convention Center: It’s within walking distance, making 700 S Rosemary a frequent "pre-game" spot for people attending conferences.
- Brightline Station: This is the real game-changer. The high-speed rail station is a few blocks away. You can get from Miami to 700 S Rosemary Ave in about an hour without ever touching a steering wheel.
Common Misconceptions
People think 700 S Rosemary Ave West Palm Beach is part of a "mall." It’s not. Not anymore.
The "mall" era of this area died about five years ago. Today, it’s a "mixed-use urban district." The difference? Malls have parking garages and food courts. Districts have street-side valet and "culinary concepts." If you show up looking for a Sbarro, you’re going to be disappointed. If you show up looking for a $100 wagyu steak or a boutique fitness class, you’re in heaven.
Another mistake: thinking you can park on the street. Just don't. The parallel parking on Rosemary is a nightmare and the meter maids are surprisingly efficient. Use the Hibiscus Garage. It’s right behind the building and saves you twenty minutes of circling the block like a shark.
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The Future of the Address
What’s next? Related has hinted at even more densification. There’s always talk of more residential towers nearby. But 700 S Rosemary Ave itself is safe. It’s a designated local historic site. It’s the "protected" child of the neighborhood.
Expect to see it used more for "prestige" branding. We’ll likely see more luxury brand takeovers—think Chanel or Gucci doing a week-long pop-up inside the old theater. That’s the direction West Palm Beach is heading. It’s becoming the playground for the 1%, while still trying to maintain enough "cool factor" to keep the rest of us coming back for dinner.
Practical Tips for Visiting 700 S Rosemary Ave
If you’re planning a trip to this specific part of West Palm, here is how you do it without losing your mind.
- Go Early: The area is quietest on weekday mornings. If you want photos of the architecture without a thousand tourists in the shot, be there by 9:00 AM.
- Check the Calendar: Before you go, check the CityPlace (The Square) event calendar. They often have live music on the lawn right in front of the 700 block.
- Walk the Whole Street: Rosemary Ave is actually quite long. Don't just stay at the 700 block. Walk north toward the Hilton and south toward the residential areas to see the contrast in the city's development.
- Eat Nearby: If you want the best view of the historic building while you eat, try to snag an outdoor table at one of the spots directly across the street. It’s prime people-watching territory.
700 S Rosemary Ave West Palm Beach is a survivor. It survived the collapse of the Florida land boom in the 20s, the decline of downtown in the 70s, and the retail apocalypse of the 2010s. It stands there as a reminder that even in a city obsessed with the "next big thing," there is still value in the things that were built to last. It’s the most important building in the district, not because of what’s happening inside it today, but because of what it represents for the city’s history.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
- Verify Event Access: If you want to see the interior of the Harriet Himmel Theater, check the official "The Square" website for upcoming public events or art shows, as it is not a standard walk-in museum.
- Plan Your Transport: Use the Brightline if you are coming from Fort Lauderdale or Miami to avoid I-95 traffic, as the station is a manageable 10-minute walk from the 700 block.
- Photography: Bring a wide-angle lens. The building is massive and the street is relatively narrow, making it hard to capture the whole facade with a standard phone camera.