If the project moves forward, it would replace the long-vacant Playhouse Theatre building, which dates back more than a century.<\/p>\n
The theater first opened in 1925 as the open-air Patio Theatre before later being converted into an indoor theater and renamed the Playhouse Theatre in 1934.<\/p>\n
In the 1950s, the Playhouse continued to show family-friendly films. By the late 1960s, however, the theater had become an adult venue screening pornographic films, and it later operated as a bar during the 1990s.<\/p>\n
Through its various iterations, much of the interior of the theatre was removed or stripped of its historic value. <\/p>\n
The building does not currently carry a historic designation.<\/p>\n
Over the years, several developers explored potential redevelopment concepts for the property, including a food hall, music recording space, and office uses.<\/p>\n
Dr. Graves and Dr. Laryngakis, who work for Florida Urology Partners at 830 Central Avenue, purchased the property for $2.7 million in 2021.<\/p>\n
In March of last year<\/a>, demolition and building permits were submitted to the City of St. Petersburg for a separate redevelopment proposal that ultimately never moved forward.<\/p>\n While the affordable apartment tower is still in the early planning stages and specific details could change, Blue Sky Communities already has a sizable footprint in St. Pete\u2019s affordable housing sector.<\/p>\n The company has developed several affordable housing communities in the city totaling roughly 589 units, including the recently completed phases of Skyway Lofts<\/a> on 34th Street South near 38th and 39th Avenues South.<\/p>\n