The New Tampa Performing Arts Center is an essential part of the New Tampa community. It shares a common entry with a nearby shopping center, restaurant, dog park, and multi-family residential projects, and is surrounded by natural preserves.
FleischmanGarciaMaslowski (FG+M) Architecture designed the center with inspiration from the movements of performers on stage. The structure’s roofs and walls shift and intersect, creating a dynamic flow. Slender columns mirror the surrounding cypress trees, seamlessly blending the exterior with the interior. Inside the lobby, floating wood elements continue this movement, while red recesses mark the entrance to the auditorium. In the auditorium, these wood elements and red acoustic panels shape the space’s acoustics. The retractable 350-seat system allows the space to transform from a theater to a multi-purpose venue for receptions.
The stage is equipped with a manual counterweight system and loft gallery for a fully functional performance space. Behind the scenes, the facility features a two-story shop, dressing rooms, a green room, and piano storage. The dance studios, designed with adjustable partitions, include sprung flooring and barres. Vertical openings in the studios are framed by masonry fins, offering views of the wetlands while minimizing direct sunlight. The facility also includes administrative offices and a catering room to support various events.
Looking to the future, the center’s design allows for expansion. The central wing can accommodate a second-story addition, providing space for more dance studios and community areas.
