Royal Theatre

Nunzienick on November 28, 2010 at 9:44 pm

Thanks Tisloews. It was a nice informative tour. I forgot to mention the proscenium was still there although nearly hidden from view by the tall shelving. The “R” embossed in the coat-of-arms is still visible in the top center.

Nunzienick on November 24, 2010 at 10:59 pm

I finally had a chance today to see the interior of the Royal. While driving by the building I saw the rear exit doors were wide open. There were about 20 cars parked in the lot at the rear so I figured there were workers inside continuing renovations. I parked and slowly walked towards the open doors afraid of being stopped and told I could not go inside. As I approached the doors two work- men came out and passed by me without saying a word. So I walked through the doors and stood for a moment on what was once the stage but was now a cement floor. I stood there in awe taking all the former theatre auditorium in.

Seating was gone and the entire auditorium was filled with tall metal shelving loaded with boxes of supplies. The interior walls had been stripped down to the red bricks. Each side wall still had at least three elegant seating boxes in place. The balcony was still there but most of the flooring had been taken out exposing the wooden support beams. I noticed there were two stairways on either end leading up to the balcony but both entrances were sealed with plywood. And of course the projection booth was gone.

I walked through the auditorium to the entrance and into the lobby where I saw a lady sitting at a desk. After explaning that I had wanted to see the theatre for so many years she asked me to hold on while she contacted the guide who would love to give me a tour of the building. So I was given a half-hour tour of the theatre and lobby area, as well as the front portion of the building, and the ballroom on the second floor. The guide explained the new cement flooring in the auditorim is a floating floor meaning it can easily be removed to expose the original sloped theatre floor. The theatre also had an orchestra pit now also covered over with the new flooring.

Huge steel support beams have been installed from one wall to the other high up in the stage loft to help the tall brick structure withstand storms or high winds. The roof is still in need of repairs and is not in the best shape. There were a few rows of seats still in place when the foundation moved in but they were removed by the City of Tampa and placed into storage as well as several other items from the theatre. The building is now under the Hillsborough County School Foundation and the theater is used as a storage area for various supplies. Teachers can purchase supplies here that are needed for their classrooms.

The City of Tampa donated the building to the foundation allowing them to move in and use the facility as long as they maintain it properly. They are not permitted to make any changes or modifications that would destroy it’s historial significance. However, they can add additional rooms or wings to the building as was done when the art museum was temporarily housed there. I asked if it would ever be possible for the theatre to be restored but the answer was that it would take a ballpark figure of about 5 million to completely bring the theatre back to what it once was. So unless they receive a huge surprise donation this will never happen.

That’s such a shame as it would certainly make a beautiful “classic” theatre again. I’m glad I finally had the chance at last to see the interior.

Nunzienick on November 4, 2010 at 8:50 pm

Nice photo of Royal Theatre blade sign and posters (photo not dated):
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Photo of lobby and employees dated 1944:
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Mike Rogers on November 4, 2010 at 8:06 pm

thanks Nick,for another wonderful write up.Great picture.

AndyCallahanMajorMajor on November 4, 2010 at 7:31 am

Great write-up, Nick. This is a beautiful building that deserves a new life. However, Centro Espanol’s address is 2306 N. Howard, not 1305.