By Brian Bandell – Senior Reporter, South Florida Business Journal

A major expansion of West Palm Beach’s largest entertainment venue has begun, as the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts broke ground on a $50 million project.

The 853,500-square-foot facility already hosts more than 500,000 patrons a year to its performances, but it wants a more modern and efficient layout.

Located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd., the Kravis Center is expanding its lobby by 5,200 square feet, building more restrooms in the lobby, decorating the open plaza at Okeechobee Boulevard and Sapodilla Avenue with water features and a sculpture titled “Embrace” by Robin Oglesbee-Venghaus, building a second open plaza at Okeechobee Boulevard and Tamarind Avenue, building a new 200-space valet garage to replace the smaller amphitheater, and redesigning the ramps in the existing parking garage. It will also add a way-finding technology system to help visitors find open parking spaces.

The general contractor is the Weitz Co. The project was designed by Leo A Daly and WGI. They anticipate completing work in October 2019. Performances will go on as scheduled.