PALM PASSAGE
ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
PROJECT STATUS | PARTIALLY COMPLETED
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Palm passage is a retail and open space complex in the historic district of Charlotte Amalie’s that spans between the waterfront and Main Street. It comprises a public courtyard, office and retail space, a bar, and a restaurant.
PHASE ONE
Topa Properties hired us for the first phase of improvements at Palm Passage. Implemented work included building repairs, re-routing and screening exposed utility wires, new signage at both courtyard entrances, and the relocation and reconfiguration of existing iron gates. We also selected new wall and shutter colors, remodeled the canopy for the open-air bar, and reconstructed one courtyard entrance to meet ADA requirements.
PHASE TWO
The partially designed but unbuilt second phase envisioned new shutters and moldings for the building walls, along with horizontal and vertical espaliers draped with aerial plants or vines to screen exposed wires and utility boxes. Shade umbrellas were to be replaced with new palms—honoring the name Palm Passage—supplementing the three existing royal palms confined to small stone planters. Some movable black planters would be removed to increase usable space, replaced with large royal palms planted directly into the ground by opening the stone paving for soil. The phase also proposed new seating and updated lighting.
EXISTING WALL COLOR
In addition to new wood shutters for the courtyard and street façades and the addition of moldings, the building required a fresh coat of paint. We recommended replacing the existing cold, pale pink with a vibrant deep golden yellow in a patina finish—an economical way to bring warmth, light, and new life to both the façade and courtyard.
NEW WALL COLOR
The color inspiration came from historic buildings in Christiansted, St. Croix. To engage the client, we prepared 3D simulations of wall and shutter combinations. The final design introduced both a new color choice and an innovative application method. Replacing the cold pink, we hand-mixed six pigments in layered faux-paint techniques to achieve a muted golden yellow that recalled the patina of old walls. Although neither the technique nor the color was among those typically allowed by the Historic Preservation Committee, they were approved, setting a precedent later adopted elsewhere in the district and enriching a palette long limited to pink, mauve, and beige tones.
