“From elegant social events and dances to live performances and community celebrations, the Manhattan Casino has earned the historic place it holds in the hearts of so many,” she continued.
The building closed in 1968 and later operated as a pool hall and bar. In the 1980s, its former dance hall was used as storage space for a local sign and trucking company.
The city designated the Manhattan Casino a historic landmark in 1994 and purchased the property in 2002. Beginning in 2011, city officials partnered with several outside operators in efforts to reactivate the building, including a short-lived food hall in 2021.
The final operator, The Urban Collective, left after its lease expired in late 2022.
Rather than seek another private operator, city officials decided to run the Manhattan Casino as an event venue.
The reopening comes as new housing is starting to take shape around the historic venue.
The Deuces Rising Townhomes across the street are now complete, and Mayor Ken Welch recently selected Magellan Housing as the preferred developer for the nearby Commerce Park site. Magellan’s proposal calls for 126 affordable residences and ground-floor retail.
For generations, the Manhattan Casino served as a place where St. Petersburg’s Black community gathered, celebrated, and made history. On September 19th, it will again open its doors to the public.