ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Florida Orchestra is looking to build a permanent home in St. Petersburg — one where it can have space for equipment, offices, storage and most importantly a rehearsal space, according to TFO President and CEO Ignacio Barron Viela.

What You Need To Know

  • The Florida Orchestra has proposed a $30 million Center for Music Education and Innovation 

  • TFO has asked the Tourist Development Council for $9.5M in bed tax money for the project 

  • Orchestra officials say musicians sometimes have to travel to three different locations for rehearsals during the week 

  • The TDC is reviewing the application and is expected to make a recommendation in September

“I think it would be valuable and also efficient for the orchestra,” he said. “From a logistical standpoint, we will avoid moving around Tampa Bay to rehearse.” 

Barron Viela said the largest orchestra in Florida, with 70 full-time members, has been operating for 57 years in the Bay area without a home. The lack of a headquarters has forced the orchestra to travel between Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg for rehearsals, he said.

“It’s very unusual for an orchestra to move so many miles every month and to perform and rehearse in so many different locations,” he said. “It’s a limiting factor for the orchestra to continue to grow.”

TFO has proposed building a new $30 million Center for Music Education and Innovation with up to 32,000 square feet of space. It would be a three- to four-story building, located next to the Mahaffey Theater, and would house classrooms, offices, a fixed rehearsal space and a rooftop event area.

“A rooftop to host other events,” said Barron Viela. “Maybe increase viewership for the St. Petersburg Grand Prix.”

TFO would continue performing at the Mahaffey, Straz and Ruth Eckerd Hall.

Last month, Barron Viela appeared before the Tourist Development Council to request $9.5 million in bed tax dollars for the capital improvement project. He said it’s the first time the orchestra has asked for TDC funds and a study shows the new center will have an economic impact of more than $600 million over a decade.

“We know in the next 10 years we can really bring over 3 million people because of this project,” he said. “We have audiences all over the country.”  

The proposed music center would be in collaboration with the city of St. Petersburg and the Mahaffey Theater. During the last fiscal year, it cost the orchestra $700,000 to rent the Mahaffey with a total of $2 million for all three Tampa Bay venues combined, according to TFO.

Barron Viela said The Florida Orchestra is one of the few orchestras in the country that pays significant rent for both rehearsals and performances, yet has little control over scheduling.

“The orchestra needs a home,” he said. “This is a starting point for that conversation.”

St. Petersburg would own the new building and city spokesperson Alizza Punzalan-Randle released the following statement about the plan:

“The City of St. Petersburg is developing a master plan for the entire Center for the Arts area and is including The Florida Orchestra in that process. The City has supported the Orchestra for decades, and looks forward to learning more about their proposed Center for Music Education.”

Barron Viela stressed his proposal is in the very early stages.

“The orchestra wants to be very respectful of the city’s plans for its future development of the Center for the Arts,” he said. “We have incredible support in the community and we continue to think about the future.” 

The TDC received eight capital project requests totaling nearly $67 million. The Pinellas County tourism agency is reviewing the applications and is expected to make its recommendations in September.