Palladium capital campaign opens with a challenge grant

Groundbreaking is projected to begin in the summer of 2025 on the Palladium Theater’s $10 million renovation, executive director Paul Wilborn has announced. A challenge grant of $5 million has been pledged by the Hough Family Foundation, one of the theater’s strongest supporters since its establishment as a performing arts hall 25 years ago.

The Florida legislature allocated $850,000 in the 2023-24 budget for Palladium renovations. On Oct. 25, state senator Darryl Rouson (left) and representative Lindsay Cross (right), co-sponsors of the bill, presented Palladium director Paul Wilborn with a check. Photo provided.

The 815-seat venue was built as a Christian Science church in 1925. With a capacity of approximately 175, the Side Door Café – in the building’s lower level – is used for more intimate performances.

Since 2007, the Palladium has been owned by St. Pete College.

On an April edition of the St. Pete Catalyst’s Arts Alive! podcast, Wilborn discussed the hoped-for renovations on the vintage facility, “which is, right now, a church with a stage. We want to turn it into a performing arts center for the future.” The renovations are, specifically, to improve seating, sightlines and acoustics.

The Palladium will be reimagined in consultation with Earl Swenson Associates (ESA), Akustics and Stages Consulting.

It is projected that renovation will be completed for the building’s 100th anniversary in 2026, Wilborn said Thursday morning. “On our 25^th anniversary as a theater, we’re launching a project that will allow the Palladium to remain a vital part of the Tampa Bay performing arts ecosystem for the next 25 years.”

The capital campaign will raise the necessary funds from private philanthropy and public sources. Naming opportunities are available. For more information, go to TransformThePalladium.com.