Old Armory Building Restoration Project Launched
The Armory Art Center is pleased to announce that the restoration of the Old Armory launched in May 2023. With generous support from the Florida Department of State Division of Historic Resources and the Armory Art Center Board of Directors, the organization began the renovation of the building exterior, the focus of the initial phase of the project.
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The exterior of the Old Armory building is being restored by architect Rick Gonzalez (REG Architects).
Historic Building
Designed by William Manley King, the building served as an Armory until the 1980s. The facility doubled as a community-focused hall for dances and other public events throughout its history. In the 1980s it fell into disrepair and in 1987 a small group of local activists saved the building from demolition. The founding members of the Armory Art Center restored the building for use as an art center and in 1992 it was added to the National Registry of Historic Places. For more about the history of the Armory Art Center, please visit the history page.
Phase One
Phase one of the exterior restoration includes a new roof, windows, and doors. Interior renovations include new HVAC, security, and electrical systems. There will be brief interruptions to access to the facilities during the year-long process, but will not impact Summer classes.
Interior Renovations
Following the exterior restoration, the Armory Art Center will renovate the interior spaces with updates to the administrative offices, the jewelry and metalworking studios, the galleries, and a new Armory Art Center Shop. Look for more updates on the restoration in the coming weeks.
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