The Tampa Theater Building Page 1

Opened in October of 1926 at an original construction cost of $1.2 million, the architectural style is Florida Mediterranean with touches of Italian Renaissance, Byzantine, Spanish, Mediterranean, Greek Revival, Baroque, and English Tudor.

Restoration of the Tampa Theatre's historic marquee and its seven-story high vertical "blade" sign (spelling TAMPA) commenced on March 24, 2003 when workers dismantled the existing marquee. Original pieces were used as templates for the new sign, which is an exact replica updated with modern electronics. The entire project was constructed with copper, matching the original materials and finishes in accordance with U. S. Department of the Interior's standards for historic preservation.


In 1924, the Newark Shoe store, Hunter Electric Co., and Lough & Morton occupied the future site of the Tampa Theatre.

In 1926, all three businesses had been leveled. Photo at right shows construction in progress, 1926.

The Tampa was designed by architect John Eberson. He was one of the most prolific and internationally renowned movie palace designers of his time, having designed theaters in Miami, New York, Chicago, Canton, Ohio; Houston and Austin, Texas; Paris, France; Sydney, Australia and many other cities.

Box office and ornate ceiling

Eberson was born in Romania and in 1893 attended The University of Vienna. He came to the U.S. and settled in St. Louis, Missouri. Eberson's initial style was traditional, but by the mid-1910s he had boldly taken a new direction with the design of the Dallas Majestic Theatre in 1917. His first truly atmospheric theater was the Houston Majestic (1923).

To the left, one set of three doors leading to the theater entrance. The Tampa Theater building is a 10 story building which also is home to many offices. To the right of the theater doors is the entry to the office tower.

Both sides of the entry area around the box office are furnished

with these beautiful displays current and future attractions.