Tampa’s ornate movie palace is about to swap its starry ceiling for a forest of scaffolding. Tampa Theatre will close its historic Duncan Auditorium for several months this spring while preservation crews and contractors launch a multimillion dollar restoration timed to the building’s 100th birthday on Oct. 15, 2026. The work is expected to focus on decorative paint and plaster, backstage systems, and upgrades to the theatre’s production and HVAC infrastructure.
The effort, billed the Second Century Campaign, is being presented as a roughly $28 to $30 million push to restore and expand the landmark ahead of its centennial, according to PR Newswire. Organizers say the campaign will fund both authentic decorative restoration and new operational systems to keep the theatre viable for film and live events into its next century.
What Will Close And When
Tampa Theatre’s website says the Historic Duncan Auditorium will be closed from early March through September so crews can erect scaffolding and perform conservation work, including forensic paint sampling and plaster repairs, according to Tampa Theatre. Spectrum Bay News 13 has outlined the interior scope, from HVAC replacement to backstage rewiring, and described the auditorium job as the centerpiece of the campaign’s first phase.
How The Work Is Being Paid For
The Downtown Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency approved a $14 million funding package to help move the project forward, according to the City of Tampa. City officials say that public support is meant to leverage private gifts, including a leadership grant that was publicized in a corporate release. PR Newswire reports Bank of America contributed $250,000 toward the campaign.
A Second Screen Keeps The Lights On
To keep film programming rolling while the main hall is shuttered, the theatre opened a 43 seat John T. Taylor Screening Room in 2024 that will continue to host first run films and smaller events. Laker/Lutz News notes the microcinema and other changes are intended to let the organization maintain a full calendar during the restoration.
What Patrons Need To Know
Balcony to Backstage tours and rentals inside the auditorium will be paused while work proceeds, and the theatre asks patrons to check its website or call the box office for the latest schedule. The theatre’s rental page describes the auditorium work as a roughly $21 million investment and says auditorium rentals will be paused through October 2026; the page also lists donor programs and naming opportunities. Tampa Theatre lists the box office at (813) 274-8286 for questions and updates.
Why It Matters
Leaders say the restoration is both preservation and economic development. The City of Tampa has previously noted the theatre draws roughly 125,000 to 160,000 visitors a year and generates hundreds of thousands in state and local tax revenue. City of Tampa officials describe the project as a long term investment in downtown’s cultural fabric, and theatre leaders expect the restored auditorium to reopen for the Oct. 15 centennial celebration.
