Palais de Danse, Grade II listed dance hall and studio in St Ives, England
Palais de Danse is a two-story building in St Ives with workshop spaces and large windows that flood the interior with natural light. The structure combines its original stone construction with functional rooms designed for artistic and entertainment purposes.
The building began as a stone cottage around 1710, transformed into St Ives' first cinema in 1910, and became a dance hall in 1925. This transformation reflects how the space adapted to changing entertainment trends across centuries.
The building served as a social hub where people gathered to dance and celebrate together for decades. Today visitors can sense how the space was designed to bring the community together through movement and entertainment.
The building is now managed by Tate St Ives and can be visited on designated open days throughout the year. It is worth checking ahead as access is not available every day.
The building contains an original sprung dance floor on the upper level that was considered one of the finest in Southwest England. This carefully preserved floor demonstrates the craftsmanship that made comfortable dancing possible.
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