TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Theatre, one of the city’s most historic and iconic landmarks, is getting closer to preserving its legacy thanks to a major boost from a local donor.
While the building’s exterior shows little sign of its age, a look inside tells a different story.
What You Need To Know
Tampa Theatre, one of the city’s most historic and iconic landmarks, is getting closer to preserving its legacy thanks to a major boost from a local donor
Bank of America contributed a $250,000 grant to help push the campaign closer to its goal of $23 million
Faded paint, damaged walls and patches that have been repaired over the years but never fully restored are all issues
With the lights up inside the auditorium, scars from decades of wear are visible: faded paint, damaged walls and patches that have been repaired over the years but never fully restored.
“This is not a simple project like, ‘I’m going to re-drywall my living room this weekend,’” said Tampa Theatre CEO John Bell. “Not at all. There are specialists we have to bring in to do this work.”
Bell, who has led the Tampa Theatre for 40 years, said restoring the nearly century-old building to its original luster is a complex and costly process. Preservation company Evergreen has been conducting forensic paint and core sampling to determine the precise colors and textures used when the theatre first opened. Large scaffolding will be installed early next year to begin the painstaking restoration.
“They do nothing but large public spaces, like the U.S. Capitol Rotunda,” Bell said. “These are the best in the business.”
The total cost of the restoration project is estimated at $23 million. More than 80% of that amount has been raised over the past five years. Recently, Bank of America contributed a $250,000 grant to help push the campaign closer to its goal.
Michael Esposito, Bank of America’s Tampa CEO, said the decision was rooted in the theatre’s long-standing role in the community.
“Tampa Theatre has been a great part of the community fabric for 100 years now, as we go into their centennial anniversary next year,” Esposito said. “It just made sense for us to make a mark on something that’s been around a long time, like we have been.”
The restoration goes far beyond what patrons can see. Beneath the theatre lies a maze of narrow tunnels and rooms that serve as a time capsule, housing aging infrastructure such as air-conditioning chillers from the 1960s, along with original plumbing and electrical systems.
“If anyone lives in an older house, you know you’ve got plumbing issues,” Bell said. “Now expand that to a 38,000-square-foot, 1,200-seat facility with 99-year-old plumbing, electrical and air conditioning components. All of that needs to be addressed.”
Construction is scheduled to begin in March and wrap up by the end of September. The restored Tampa Theatre will be unveiled as part of its 100th birthday celebration next November.
In addition to the main project, the Tampa Theatre plans to gut and rehabilitate its attached three-story building on Florida Avenue. The second and third floors will be converted into educational spaces, allowing the theatre to significantly expand its programming for children.