Located in the city Saint Petersburg in Florida rests a very famous theater called the State Theatre. The St. Pete City is known to be a vacation destination for North American and European vacationers, as well as a politically important battleground in U.S Presidential politics. The city comprises of many attractions among which is the State Theatre-Saint Petersburg. The theater has a great building and it draws folks from around the entire Bay area for concerts ranging in style from punk, and hardcore to jazz, blues and pop. The State is also a strong proponent of the local scene, and the crowd is about as diverse as the featured music. It has been nominated for best place to hear live-music for their awesome acoustics and historic setting.
Built in 1924, The State Theatre Saint Petersburg, Fl. is an outstanding example of Beaux Arts style architecture with a décor that recalls '80s New York City clubs, with flat black everything and a strong lived-in quality. The dance floor spreads back from the stage, with some unsound chairs near the back and more seats up in the balcony. At the time of its construction, the theatre was considered the largest banks in St. Petersburg being the only 6000 square foot building. The theatre was originally built to be used as the Alexander National Bank, but that lasted only two years until Jacob Alexander died in December of 1926.
The building was occupied by the Gregory Electric Refrigeration Company during part of 1927, but sat vacant by 1928. The building was purchased by the Fidelity Bank and Trust Company in the July of 1929. However, due to the stock market crash in October of that same year forced the Fidelity Bank to close. After Fidelity's liquidation in 1931, the building was used for a succession of small office tenants until 1949 when it was remodeled into the State Theatre.
The architect who designed the original building was Neel Reid. He was also responsible locally for the Alexander Hotel. However, the building was remodeled in 1949 by another notable architect, Archie Parrish of St. Petersburg. The remodeled theatre now comprises of a façade which is a symmetrical composition of three bays. Each of the three main bays contains a pair of iconic columns on a block base supporting a banded arch with an engaged keystone with an acanthus motif. However, the original fenestration was removed at the time of the 1949 remodeling and the openings at the side bays were filled, and a new contemporary projecting marquis was added at the central bay above the theater doors. The later renovation into a concert venue included the installation of glass blocks at the two side arches.
The State Theatre is an intimate venue which showcases a huge variety of good quality acts. The theatre hosts shows all round the year. In the coming months, the State Theatre Saint Petersburg, FL. is going to be hosting a wide variety of events which include Agnostic Front, Bouncing Souls, Cold, Cute is What We Aim For, Emmure, Family Force 5, J.D Souther, Missy Higgins, Streetlight Manifesto, Take Action Tour, and lots more!
