A modest new building at Mar‑a‑Lago is about to get a full public airing, as Palm Beach's Landmarks Preservation Commission prepares to weigh in on how the private club shelters its backup power and shapes its southern entrance.
The commission is scheduled to review design plans for a small structure that would enclose backup generators at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, at Town Hall. The outcome could influence not just the look of the building, but how the surrounding landscape and south entry are handled.
The hearing is listed on the town calendar and will convene in Council Chambers at 360 South County Road at 9:30 a.m. The agenda shows the board will take up the club's design application, according to the Town of Palm Beach calendar.
What Planners Will Review
On the table is a proposed one‑story, 763‑square‑foot structure on the club's south side that would enclose two permanent 400‑kilowatt generators. Town Council approved the special exception and site plan for the project on March 4, clearing the way for construction once the design review is complete. The application lists architect Rick Gonzalez of REG Architects as the designer, and landscaping plans were prepared by Environmental Design Group, as reported by the Palm Beach Daily News.
Why the Town Code Matters
Palm Beach's project‑designation guidance requires larger backup generators to be housed inside a building, and town staff have pointed to that rule as shaping the club's proposal. The town's project‑design manual notes that generators above roughly 100 kilowatts must be enclosed, a constraint that helps explain the proposed 763‑square‑foot enclosure, per the Town project‑design manual.
Where This Fits With Recent Work
The generator building would follow other high‑profile changes at the estate. Local reporting shows the club has previously sought approvals for a guardhouse and other site work, and the town recently cleared a larger helipad for limited presidential use. Coverage of the helipad approval is available from WPBF.
Other Items on the Landmarks Agenda
The commission is also set to consider landmark nominations for several private houses, including properties on N. Lake Way, Seabreeze Avenue, Clarke Avenue, Barton Avenue and Pendleton Avenue, and to hear a request regarding 151 Root Trail. The Town Council has the final say on landmark designations, according to the Palm Beach Daily News.
How to Follow the Meeting
The landmarks board's recommendation on design review is advisory for landmark concerns, while any final decisions and zoning actions rest with the Town Council. Members of the public can attend the 9:30 a.m. meeting in Council Chambers or review agenda materials and recordings on the town's public‑meetings pages, per the Town of Palm Beach calendar.
