A century-old playhouse and a now-closed nightclub could be demolished to make way for a new multifamily housing project in St. Petersburg. The project, known to us as “JR Tower,” would measure 12 stories above grade and comprise 150 affordable housing units. They would include one-bedroom and two-bedroom layout plans.
Pinellas County defines affordable housing as housing reserved for households earning up to 120 percent of the area median income (AMI). Yet, JR Towers would focus on households earning 30, 60, and 80 percent of the AMI). By these standards, a four-person household could earn no more than $83,440 annually to qualify.
In addition to the residences, JR Tower would boast 3,000 square feet of commercial space. Tampa-based Blue Sky Communities is the developer. The firm intends to close on JR Tower’s 0.61-acre build site next March. The site itself is under contract for $6.25 million.
The Playhouse Theater would make way for a new housing project. Image from Google Earth
As noted, if brought to fruition, JR Tower would replace two buildings: The Playhouse Theater and Morph Nightclub. The playhouse was constructed in 1926, initially billed as one of the few places with air conditioning in the city.
In 1973, the theater was slated for demolition but was saved by local preservation societies. More than 25 years later, and without a designation of being historically significant, the theater is set to be demolished again. Morph Nightclub was founded in 2019 but has since closed.
JR Tower would occupy 1850 Central Avenue and 1833 1st Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33712, in Pinellas County.
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