(Photo courtesy of City of West Palm Beach)
West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) proudly announces the completion of the long-awaited renovation of the iconic Sunset Lounge. Located on 8th Street in the heart of the Historic Northwest District, the venue has long been a cultural cornerstone for the community.
Originally a premier destination for African American music in the 1940s and 1950s, the Sunset Lounge hosted legends such as Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong at a time when segregation denied many Black performers access to mainstream venues. More than a nightclub, the Sunset Lounge served as a vibrant gathering place that nurtured pride, creativity, and connection within the neighborhood.
Today, the fully restored Sunset Lounge honors this remarkable legacy while embracing a new era. The project includes a two-story expansion, transforming the venue into a 20,000-square-foot cultural hub featuring a restaurant, bar, rooftop lounge, and state-of-the-art event amenities.
The restoration efforts began in 2016 following extensive community engagement and formally acquired the property in 2018 after the Lounge closed. Construction began the following year and continued in phases, culminating in the recent completion of the interior buildout. Renovation partners included Gast Construction Group; V Starr—the acclaimed design firm founded by Venus Williams—which led the interior design; and Song & Associates, Inc., Cooper Construction, and REG Architects, who oversaw architectural and historic preservation efforts. Together, the project team modernized the venue while preserving the original jazz-era character that defines its legacy.
The West Palm Beach CRA extends its sincere gratitude to the many partners, leaders, and teams who helped bring the Sunset Lounge restoration to fruition. The CRA Board of Directors—Mayor Keith A. James, District Commissioner Christy Fox, Commission President Christina Lambert, Commissioner Cathleen Ward, Commissioner Shalonda Warren, and Commissioner Joseph Peduzzi—provided vital support and guidance throughout the project. The CRA also thanks the dedicated internal City departments whose expertise made this milestone possible, including Development Services, the Mayor’s office and Administrators, the Office of the City Attorney, Procurement, Historic Preservation, Finance, Community Events, and Facilities. Their collaboration, commitment, and hard work were instrumental in preserving this historic landmark and preparing it for a vibrant future.
To mark the completion milestone, the first celebration Soul in the City event featured a high-energy performance by four-time Grammy Award–nominated saxophonist, producer, and composer Boney James, reaffirming the venue’s standing as a premier destination for world-class live performances.
“It was incredible to see so many community members join us to celebrate Soul in the City at Sunset Lounge,” said Mayor Keith A. James. “The diversity of the crowd is a testament to what this historic venue has always represented: a place that brings people from every corner of our community together. We are proud of our collaborative efforts with residents and the CRA to revitalize this important cultural hub. The Sunset Lounge has always been a beacon of community, culture, and celebration. Seeing it once again filled with music, joy, and connection is a powerful reminder of why persevering and revitalizing historic spaces like this truly matters.”
Soul in the City, produced by the City of West Palm Beach Community Events Division, will find a permanent home at the Sunset Lounge. While the CRA remains the building’s owner, the City’s Community Events Division will evaluate operations and gather valuable insights to pass along to the future operator. The next Soul in the City event will take place on Wednesday, December 17, with a live performance by Valerie Tyson.
“The CRA made a commitment to the Historic Northwest neighborhood to bring the Sunset Lounge back to life, and I’m proud to say we’ve reached that milestone,” said Chris Roog, CRA Executive Director. “The Soul in the City event series by Community Events will give us a chance to test operations and help refine the long-term operator. We’re excited to see this iconic venue open its doors once again.”
Community leaders celebrated the reopening as a powerful step forward in the continued revitalization of the Historic Northwest District. The evening recognized both the deep-rooted history of the Sunset Lounge and its promising future as a hub for arts, culture, and community life.
“It has been a long time coming, and I’m grateful to finally stand here and help bring something back to a neighborhood I once called home,” said Genia Baker, CRA Project Manager for the Sunset Lounge. “The process has been long, and we’re aware of every challenge we faced along the way, but it is all worth it to see this historic building—one I used to frequent—come back to life.”
“I’m excited to see the Sunset Lounge completed,” said Dr. Alisha Winn, Applied Anthropologist for the CRA. “Rebuilding this iconic venue was just a dream, and this journey involved working with the community and honoring the neighborhood’s history. I look forward to continuing this community engagement and sharing the remarkable story of not only a jazz venue but also a space that serves the neighborhood and fosters multi-generational relationships.”
For more information on the CRA’s current projects, visit wpb.org/cra. To stay up to date on the progress of the Sunset Lounge, visitwpb.org/sunsetlounge. You may also sign up for the CRA newsletter by emailing cra@wpb.org.