The restoration involved everything from decorative paint and plaster to plumbing, electrical systems, sound and lighting.
In 1926, visitors to Tampa Theatre in Florida could watch a film beneath a ceiling designed to resemble a night sky, complete with twinkling stars and drifting clouds. A century later, the historic movie palace has reopened after a seven-month, $24.5 million restoration that refreshed its famous auditorium while upgrading the building for future audiences.
The theatre officially opened on October 15, 1926. Its restored Duncan Auditorium welcomed visitors back in October 2026, ahead of its centennial celebration on the exact anniversary of its opening.As reported by American media portal Tampa Bay 28, the restoration involved everything from decorative paint and plaster to plumbing, electrical systems, sound and lighting. The work was part of the first phase of the theatre's Second Century Campaign, which aims to preserve the historic venue and expand its cultural and educational activities.
A century-old night sky gets a new look
As staff cleared storage areas to make room for new educational facilities, they found furniture, lamps, tables and paintings that had been kept inside the building for years.
One of Tampa Theatre's most recognisable features is its Ruberg Night Sky, an atmospheric ceiling that gives the auditorium the appearance of an open-air courtyard at night. The restoration upgraded the lighting so the ceiling's stars could twinkle with new technology. New LED lighting also allows the auditorium to create sunrise and sunset effects. The project included work on the ceiling's cloud effects, too.
As reported by Creative Loafing Tamp, the theatre originally opened with a machine that projected wispy clouds across the ceiling. The original 1926 machine was not available for use, so the technical team restored an older machine believed to date from the 1950s or 1960s.
Restoring the auditorium to its 1926 appearance
The restoration was led by EverGreene Architectural Arts, a firm specialising in historic buildings.
The restoration was not limited to adding new technology. Workers also studied the building's original finishes to bring back its early appearance.
As reported by WUSF, restoration specialists carried out forensic paint analysis to identify the original colours beneath later layers. Some areas that appeared to be one colour had different shades underneath. Tampa Theatre CEO George Leveque told WUSF that the aim was for the auditorium to look as it did when it opened in 1926.
The restoration was led by EverGreene Architectural Arts, a firm specialising in historic buildings.The project also addressed the less visible parts of the century-old structure. According to Tampa Bay 28, the work included replacing old plumbing, installing new electrical systems and upgrading sound and lighting equipment. Leveque described the project as a restoration of both the visible historic features and the systems that keep the building functioning.
Forgotten objects emerged during construction
The work also brought old pieces of Tampa Theatre's history back into view.
As staff cleared storage areas to make room for new educational facilities, they found furniture, lamps, tables and paintings that had been kept inside the building for years. Some of the objects dated back to the theatre's early days. According to Tampa Bay 28, staff used photographs from 1926 to work out where some of the paintings had originally hung, with plans to return them to their former places.The theatre also worked with the University of South Florida to digitally scan objects that could not be physically restored.
The scans created digital records of historic items that might otherwise have been lost. Creative Loafing Tampa separately reported that a burgundy tapestry from the theatre's 1926 opening was among the historic items restored and returned to its original place.
A new education centre for the next generation
The $24.5 million first phase of the Second Century Campaign also includes a dedicated education wing. The theatre plans to use the new space for film camps, classes, birthday parties and other community programmes. According to the official website of Tampa theatre, the project repurposes underused space to create more than 3,000 square feet for educational activities.
Until now, many educational programmes had to share the main auditorium with film screenings and other events. The new classrooms will allow the theatre to run more activities without competing for the same space. The project also includes accessibility improvements and updated technology for films, live performances and other events.
New infrastructure, including heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, is intended to improve comfort and reduce operating costs.
Community support helped fund the restoration
The restoration was supported by donors and public funding. Tampa Theatre's campaign page describes the Second Century Campaign as an effort to preserve the building while expanding its role as a cultural and community venue. Tampa Bay 28 reported that one donor who had not previously contributed made the largest single gift in the theatre's history to support restoration of the night sky. Six weeks later, another donor made a major gift for the education centre.
A new chapter after 100 years
Tampa Theatre's centennial falls on October 15, 2026, exactly 100 years after it first opened. The anniversary celebration includes a programme featuring the silent comedy Sherlock Jr., accompanied by the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra and the theatre's Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ, according to the official event page of the theatre.