History of the Brazilian Court Hotel

trances to the two - story building.

colors in order to complement the structural designs.

1970s

As the old paint was stripped away it was discovered that the original color of the exterior was robin's egg blue. Ponce, the consummate historian, commented that blue and green were often used on buildings in Palm Beach in the 1920s. Ponce and Heffernan chose to paint the hotel a pale yellow. Later paintings made the color a more pastel yellow. Palm Beach Daily News , December 16, 1979: Dr. James F. Stuart and the Savoy Sing- ers of the Ohio Light Opera Company return to the Brazilian Court on Saturday, Dec. 22, for a four - week engagement. Last Christmas season, Stuart and the Sa-

In 1968 - 69 there were 530 guests. In 1969 - 70 there were about 150 guests. The 1970 - 71 Guest List named 558 guests and more than 150 hotel employ- ees. In 1971 - 72 there were close to 600 guests. On January 17, 1973, James Rogers, 24, of West Palm Beach, an employee of the Brazilian Court Ho- tel was arrested by Palm Beach Police. He was charged with the theft of $22,000 worth of jewels from a hotel guest. Rogers was also charged with the theft of a $500 camera from another guest. Calculations made in 1973 estimated the replacement cost of the hotel at $1,465,940, less depreciation and obsolescence of 60%, for an indicated property value of $585,000. With profits every year the hotel was owned free and clear by Powell and Morse. In 1978 the BC was sold to Dennis and Elizabeth Heffernan. Owner Granville Morse said, "We bought it for a reasonable price and Dennis Heffernan of- fered me a tremendous price and I thought 'My God, he must be out of his mind,' but I decided I'd better take it. I may never get such a price again." The Income Statement for the Four Months Ending April 30, 1978 showed a Profit before Income Taxes of $101,271. 1979 Bright W. Johnson retired as General Manager at the beginning of the 1979 season. James A. Ponce, who had been Assistant Manager under Johnson was named to take over the position. Ponce was President of the Palm Beach Chapter of the Hotel Manager's Association and an active member of the Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce. Johnson remained close to the hotel that he had been at for 40 years acting as a consultant. Ponce, a notable figure in Palm Beach for decades, became a living legend in 1996. The Town of Palm Beach proclaimed him the only two - legged "town landmark" as he was added to the list of 200 historic buildings. Ponce made an interesting discovery soon after tak- ing over the manager's job. The hotel had been paint- ed white since everyone could remember. Ponce talked Heffernan into repainting the building with

voy Singers delighted hotel guest and Palm Beachers as they strolled through the Brazilian Court pation singing opera, light opera and show tunes. Sturat, the group ’ s director, is a leading authority on Gilbert and Sullivan. ….. Stuart and the Savoy Singers will sing at the Brazilian Court Hotel Tuesday through Saturday from 7 p.m. to 9p.m. and during Sunday brunch from noon to 2 p.m. Jorge Garcia, Brazilian Court pianist, plays Wednesday through Saturdays, be- fore and after Dr. Stuart and the Savoy Singers ’ performance.

Jorge Garcia spent the ten previous years playing at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Montreal.

A financial statement dated January 31, 1979 showed total room sales for January at $118,394; expenses at $24,745; profit of $93,649; occupancy rate of 58.7%. Food sales in January 1979 $65,792; beverage sales $12,025; cost of food and beverage $30,418; gross profit $47,398; expenses $47,336; net profit on food and beverage $923. January telephone service through switchboard lost $949; advertising $3,210.65 (January 1978 adv. was $528); Sales and promotions $5,745; heat, light, power $4,271; repairs and maintenance $8,109; total January payroll was $62,095 with the general manager pay of $3,611. A swimming pool and a third courtyard overlooking the pool were added in 1979. A large starfish was painted on the pool bottom by Bob Driscoll.

The Brazilian Court also added a new selection of

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