Tampa Theatre Marks Century of Operation
The historic venue completed a $24.5 million restoration before hosting a 1920s-themed anniversary party on October 15.
By Nikhil Petrov ·
Tampa Theatre completed its first century of operation on October 15, 2026. The venue, located at 711 N. Franklin St., opened exactly 100 years prior to the date. It has served as a home for movies, concerts, and community events since its inception.
The building was designed by theater architect John Eberson. He created an atmospheric style intended to mimic an outdoor Mediterranean courtyard. The design blends Baroque, Greek Revival, and Italian Renaissance elements. The ceiling features a painted night sky with twinkling stars. The theater was also the first commercial building in Tampa to include air conditioning, a feature that drew crowds in 1926.
The centennial celebration recreated the atmosphere of the original opening night. The event featured swing dancing, live jazz, and a red-carpet photo opportunity under the historic marquee. The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra performed during a screening of Buster Keaton’s silent comedy Sherlock Jr. The Tampa Theatre’s 1,400-pipe Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ provided additional live music.
The festivities concluded with a performance of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. This piece was part of the 1926 opening program. The modern presentation included special effects to accompany the music.
The anniversary follows the completion of a $24.5 million restoration project. The work aimed to preserve the theater’s historic character while updating its systems. The 1,238-seat Duncan Auditorium received repairs to its original plaster and decorative elements. Historic fixtures were preserved, and the starry ceiling was refreshed.
The project also included upgrades to backstage rigging, infrastructure, and HVAC systems. Construction began on a new 3,000-square-foot Jackie Price Education Center. This space is dedicated to year-round educational programming and events. The theater’s current form is the result of a major preservation effort in the 1970s. Local citizens and city leaders worked to save the building from demolition at that time. That effort established the venue as a nonprofit cultural organization.
The Tampa Theatre remains a gathering place for the local community. It continues to operate as a cultural destination in downtown Tampa.
Source: Osprey Observer
