• Date: 1921
• Style: Spanish Rennaissance Revival
• Architect: J.S. Aroner
• District: Downtown Historic Registry

Developed commercially as early as 1835, the parcel of land at the corner of Michigan and Colfax is centered in the original plat of South Bend. In 1921, a partnership of businessmen from Chicago and Indianapolis formed the Palace Theatre Corporation to develop the Palace Theatre, now known as the Morris Civic Auditorium, which is adjacent to this site. Technically two separate structures, the Palais Royale was designed and built during the same time period. The two buildings were designed by Chicago architect J. S. Aroner and opened in 1922 after a period of construction plagued by labor strikes. A bomb blast in 1935 left the lower story damaged significantly. During World War II, parts of the Palais Royale were used as a service men's center. The grand staircase was removed in the 1950s. The Palais Royale has served the community throughout the years as a social center. During the Big Band era, many important performers played in the ballroom. It was one of many theatres in South Bend that premiered the film Knute Rockne, All-American in 1940.

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