Vero Theatre
2036 14th Avenue,
Vero Beach,
FL
32960
2036 14th Avenue,
Vero Beach,
FL
32960
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Opened as the 800-seat Florida Theatre in 1924. The theatre currently seats 312. The architect for the Florida Theatre was F.H. Trimble. It is a two story flat roofed building with parapet and walls finished in white stucco.
This was the second movie theatre to grace the streets of Vero Beach. It is also one of the few remaining buildings left in the original downtown.
It was added to the National Historic Register in 1992. It now functions as a live performance center.
Contributed by
Chuck Van Bibber
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
I was searching for another theater in Florida and came across some info on this one. The Florida theater did open in 1924 as a 600+ seat movie theater. Many websites that I found list the Florida theater as the first movie theater in Vero Beach. Well, there was another movie theater in Vero Beach prior to this one called the Strand theater. It was built in 1917. This Florida theater replaced the wooden Strand theater. The following is from a Vero Beach history site:
“In 1917, the first movie theater, the Strand, was opened. The first power plant was built in 1918 by privately owned Vero Utilities Company. Unable to keep up with the need for electricity, Vero Utilities sold the plant to the City of Vero in early 1920. During that time, when electricity was a new commodity, it was common practice to run it only at night, and only on Wednesdays during the day for the convenience of women who had electric irons. It was also common when electricity failed, for the movie theater patrons to go over to the plant and help the engineers start the engines”.
“In 1924, a newly built movie theater opened replacing the Strand, an older wooden structure established in 1917. The new Florida Theater was an architectural gem in the Mediterranean style that had over 600 seats and a Rotoplayer organ which provided music for the silent films. By 1925, the theater would become the pivotal point in Vero’s fight to remove the town from the grasp of St. Lucie County politicians”.
I found a photo of the Florida theater in Vero Beach but it has no date. The link is here:
View link
This theater is National site listed as the Florida,and most know as such.
Added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1992
Vero Theatre (added 1992 – Building – #92000421)
Also known as Florida Theatre;Theatre Plaza;8IR621
2036 14th Ave., Vero Beach
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: et al., Trimble,F.H.
Architectural Style: Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Other
Area of Significance: Architecture, Commerce, Entertainment/Recreation
Period of Significance: 1900-1924, 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Domestic, Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Multiple Dwelling, Specialty Store, Theater
Current Function: Vacant/Not In Use
This is a 2008 photo. Is this now known as Theatre Plaza?
Here is a photo from 2004. It had the name Theatre Plaza on the marquee at that time.
1981 Photo
This site has two photos.