We’ve improved your experience.

In the past, the biggest complaint we received from our patrons was that our seats were terrible. We agreed. And so we embarked upon the largest and most complete restoration project Tampa Theatre has seen in 40 years.

Completed in December 2017, our new seats combine modern-day comfort, expanded leg room, and cup holders with the classic look of the original 1926 seat profile and color combinations. They are beautiful, comfortable, and historically accurate. Come see for yourself!

And you can leave your legacy.

With gifts of $500 or more, a message of your choice will be engraved on an elegant plaque and placed on one of our new seats, guaranteeing that you and your loved ones will be a visible part of this landmark for years to come.

You can sponsor a seat:

• As an individual, couple or family

• For your parents, children, or grandchildren

• In memory of a loved one

• With the name of your business or organization

• Marking a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion

• To honor a retiring employee

• With your favorite quotation or movie reference

• As a unique gift for that hard-to-buy-for someone (we can acknowledge your gift to the recipient)

Getting back to our roots.

Tampa’s majestic movie palace has been stunning guests with its ornately over-the-top architecture for more than 90 years. But many who visit today don’t realize that some major design elements – the red velvet seats, carpet and main curtain, and the concession stand canopy outlined in lights – were not part of architect John Eberson’s vision. Historic photos from opening night in 1926 reveal a boldly patterned carpet and a main curtain with a narrow pinstripe, neither of which were red. An original seat preserved in the Theatre’s collection revealed elaborately decorated end standards and glazed fabric upholstery meant to look like warm, chocolate-hued leather. 

“When we reopened in December 2017, people were ‘ooh’ing and ‘aah’ing over the beautiful new seats, carpeting and main act curtain as well as the restored lobby,” says Theatre President & CEO John Bell of the upcoming restoration work. “Our responsibility is to preserve and protect this incredible landmark, and an important part of that work is to return the building to its original appearance wherever possible."

Preserving Tampa Theatre for generations to come.

In planning a comprehensive restoration of Tampa Theatre, the Board of Directors identified the 96-year-old movie palace’s most critical needs that will protect the building and improve your comfort and experience. The total cost to fully restore the Theatre is estimated to be $12 million, with $6 million identified as urgently needed improvements. In March 2018, we successfully raised $6 million, completing our goal for the first phase of restoration work.

But that work is never done. We invite you to take part in the campaign to fully restore Tampa Theatre. Your gift will ensure that critical infrastructure and renovation projects are completed in the future, as well as continuing to improve your experience as a visitor.