Downtown Hollywood Getting and Art Make-over

The former building that used to be the Arts Academy of Hollywood is once again being transformed into an Arts Hub for South Florida.

According to the Hollywood CRA, the property, which was constructed in the 1950’s in an Art Deco style, most recently housed the Arts Academy of Hollywood, a performing and visual arts educational facility. However this facility closed it’s doors about three years ago due to financial circumstance and the economic conditions of our recent recession.

The Property was sold early this year and the new owner is determined to bring the Arts back and make this facility a location where visual, performing, culinary and fashion pursuits will be showcased.

Check out the full press release below.

Downtown Hollywood Property to Become Arts Hub
Visual, performing, fashion and culinary arts offerings planned for former Arts Academy of Hollywood

HOLLYWOOD, FL – February 15, 2012 – A prime property in Downtown Hollywood was recently sold and will be transformed into an arts hub of the community.

The 12,500-square-foot corner building at 1955 Harrison Street is the former home of the Arts Academy of Hollywood, a performing and visual arts educational facility that closed its doors three years ago. Developer Jerry Mintz sold the building February 8 to Ben Cohen, who also owns the Ramada hotel on Harrison Street and three other downtown properties.

Cohen characterized his vision for the site as a “marketplace for the arts” where visual, performing, culinary and fashion pursuits will be showcased. He said the new destination will be a unique addition to the historic downtown arts and entertainment district.

The distinctive two-story building, which was constructed in the 1950s in the Art Deco/Moderne architectural style, will lend itself perfectly to a multifunction space, which will include a rooftop garden for holding private events, Cohen said.

The building’s interior already has been demolished, and the foundation is being reinforced to accommodate the rooftop venue. The building will have an elevator in addition to an interior staircase. The plans also include a new façade that will incorporate the building’s existing special characteristics.

Cohen expects it to take between eight months and a year to complete the project. In the meantime, he is shopping around for a national food and beverage brand or local chain to come on board, and fine-tuning his arts venue concept with input from the community.

“I am in touch with a lot of artists and arts organizations that want to join,” Cohen said. “I do have a vision. I feel this is going to be a cornerstone for the downtown.”

To suggest potential offerings at the new arts destination, call Ben Cohen at 954-325-2887 or email him at BenCohenREC@aol.com.

For more information on Downtown Hollywood businesses or events, call 954-924-2980 or visit www.hollywoodcra.org. There is no charge for on-street downtown parking between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. Free parking is available in three-hour increments between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.