Palladium Theater: A Complete Guide to St. Petersburg's Historic Arts Hub

The Palladium Theater in St. Petersburg, Florida, is a beloved historic performing arts venue located at 253 Fifth Avenue North on the north end of downtown. Operating as a department of and in partnership with St. Petersburg College, this cultural landmark is housed in a magnificent 1925 structure on the National Register of Historic Places. Featuring two distinct performance venues—the mainstage Hough Hall and the intimate downstairs Side Door Cabaret—the Palladium connects Tampa Bay audiences with classical music, jazz, blues, theater, opera, dance, and community showcases in an architecturally stunning setting just blocks from the downtown waterfront.

What is the history of the Palladium Theater in St. Petersburg?

The building that houses the Palladium Theater traces its roots back nearly a full century. In 1925, the structure was built to serve as the First Church of Christ, Scientist. It was designed by noted architect Howard Lovewell Cheney—who is also well known for designing what is now Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.—and built by George A. Fuller Construction, the renowned firm behind architectural icons in Chicago and New York City, including the Flatiron Building.

For decades, church members walked through its white arches, welcoming brick exterior, and cozy tiled lobby. Rather than standard wooden pews, the original church interior uniquely featured theater seating. By the late 1990s, however, church membership had dwindled, and maintaining the building became unsustainable for the remaining congregation. Around that same era, three large performing arts centers had opened across Tampa Bay to present touring Broadway productions and massive concerts. Local leaders quickly observed that the area lacked an accessible, affordable, medium-sized space for homegrown artists. While venues like the 2,000-seat Mahaffey Theater were impressive, they were simply too large and expensive for smaller community arts groups.

A dedicated group of St. Petersburg philanthropists and civic leaders—including Bill and Hazel Hough, Gus and Frances Stavros, Paul Stavros, Mary Wyatt Allen, and George Rahdert—scouted downtown churches looking for a viable space. When Frances Stavros, Hazel Hough, and Mary Wyatt Allen stood along Fifth Avenue North and peered through the windows of the Christian Science Church, they realized its beige brick facade, distinctive arches, and theatrical interior made it the ideal sanctuary for the arts. With early encouragement from civic figures such as Bud Risser, a deal was reached with the congregation, and a non-profit organization formed to launch the community venue. Paul Stavros served as the theater's original executive director, pitching in on everything from administration to late-night grocery runs to keep the doors open.

The converted sanctuary officially held its opening performance on February 14, 1998, featuring The Florida Orchestra. In 2007, the theater joined St. Petersburg College, preserving its community mission while creating opportunities for students and local cultural organizations to collaborate with touring professionals.

What are the spaces and architecture inside the Palladium Theater?

Architecturally, the building is celebrated for its distinctive Arts and Crafts detailing, featuring tilework by Ernest A. Batchelder, soaring arches, a beige brick facade, and a grand, cozy lobby. Inside, the Palladium operates two distinct performance settings: Hough Hall and the Side Door Cabaret.

Hough Hall is the building's mainstage concert hall, situated upstairs on the upper level (accessible via a flight of stairs or an elevator). It provides an 800 to 850-seat hall that blends classic charm with grand sightlines. As part of an ongoing multi-million dollar transformation led by architectural firm ESa, Hough Hall is undergoing major acoustical and structural upgrades. The original hall featured a barrel-vaulted ceiling that caused acoustical reflection challenges; the renovation replaces this with a new coffered ceiling that naturally reinforces acoustic performances, supplemented by hidden variable acoustic banners for amplified shows. The project also introduces a reconfigured seating arrangement in the orchestra level for enhanced patron comfort and sightlines, as well as an overbuilt balcony structure to steepen the seating rake.

Downstairs, the building hosts the Side Door Cabaret, an award-winning listening room with approximately 175 seats. Set up like an intimate nightclub, the Side Door features small, linen-draped, candlelit tables where audiences sit up close to the stage. Unlike larger traditional stages, this basement cabaret puts the performer directly at the center of attention and includes a dance area where patrons can dance if the music moves them.

What kinds of performances take the stage at the Palladium?

The Palladium programs an expansive and artistically diverse schedule throughout the year across both of its stages. Classical music lovers regularly attend the Palladium Chamber Series, orchestra showcases, and symphonic performances, including appearances by volunteer ensembles such as the Tampa Symphony. Opera, choral presentations, and classic theatrical adaptations—such as local productions like Crossing the Bay—frequently grace the Hough Hall stage alongside contemporary tribute concerts honoring acts like the Allman Brothers and Pink Floyd.

In the Side Door Cabaret, the focus leans into blues, jazz, acoustic songwriters, Celtic music, and stand-up comedy. Performers such as blues guitarist Selwyn Birchwood have performed in the downstairs club. Over its decades of operation, the venue has also hosted solo theatrical performances, including Red Green’s "This Could Be It" one-man show, dance presentations, and multidisciplinary programs supporting local creative fellows and artists in residence.

What should first-time visitors know about visiting and accessibility?

First-time attendees should plan ahead to make the most of their evening. Because Hough Hall is located on the second level of the historic church structure, patrons take either a flight of stairs or an elevator up from the main lobby. While the historic theater seating offers intimate sightlines from almost every angle in the hall, guests have noted that seating can feel snugly packed. The venue provides an elevator for mobility access, and current capital improvements focus heavily on expanded accessibility.

Concessions bars are available on-site, serving beer, wine, soft drinks, and light snacks. Visitors should take note of payment guidelines: credit cards are accepted for box office ticket transactions, but concessions stands have historically operated on cash. Parking is offered in nearby dedicated parking lots for free when spaces are available, though street spots and designated lots can fill up quickly during well-attended shows.

Where is the Palladium Theater located, and what is nearby in St. Petersburg?

Situated at 253 Fifth Avenue North, the Palladium sits comfortably on the northern edge of downtown St. Petersburg's vibrant cultural corridor. The theater is located only a short walk from the downtown waterfront, scenic parks, boutique shopping, and an extensive collection of art galleries and dining destinations. Visitors often turn an evening show into a full outing by exploring the downtown district before heading inside.

The venue is currently undergoing a comprehensive $10 million capital transformation with an anticipated reopening set for fall 2027. While Hough Hall and the main building undergo these historical preservation and acoustic updates, the Palladium continues to host programming and support Tampa Bay artists at alternate locations, including the Music Center at the St. Petersburg College Gibbs Campus.

Palladium Theater vs. a Home Musical

Attending a performance at the Palladium Theater offers an authentic historic venue experience. Audiences step into a 1925 Cheney-designed hall complete with Batchelder tilework, dedicated stage lighting, professional sound reinforcement, and hundreds of fellow theatergoers sharing a collective moment. Hough Hall and the Side Door Cabaret deliver a curated season that spans from large orchestral chamber works and touring tribute bands to intimate cabaret sets. However, attending a performance at a major venue requires navigating ticket purchases, fixed season schedules, parking near Fifth Avenue, climbing stairs, and sharing a packed hall with hundreds of strangers.

By contrast, Home Musical brings live theater directly into everyday settings by staging one-act, roughly 60-minute one-person musicals in living rooms, backyards, galleries, churches, and other non-traditional spaces. Instead of purchasing tickets and driving downtown, hosts gather their own circle of friends, family, or neighbors for a completely private and informal performance that is entirely free for the host. While a living room musical cannot offer the fly systems, massive proscenium arches, or 850-seat scale of a historic concert hall like Hough Hall, it provides unmatched personal connection: guests sit feet away from a single performer, interact directly in a relaxed atmosphere, and are encouraged to film and share the experience freely.

Sources

• [About the Palladium at St. Petersburg College](https://mypalladium.org/about-2/)
• [Palladium's 25-year history sets the stage for a very exciting future](https://mypalladium.org/palladiums-25-year-history-sets-the-stage-for-a-very-exciting-future/)
• [Palladium Theatre – St. Petersburg College – ESa](https://esarch.com/portfolio/palladium-theatre-st-petersburg-college/)
• [About - My Palladium](https://mypalladium.org/about/)
• [The Palladium at St Petersburg College - Reviews (Tripadvisor)](https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionReview-g34607-d2522754-Reviews-ThePalladiumatStPetersburgCollege-StPetersburgFlorida.html)