Floridian Social Club is for sale, but legacy may continue
/The Floridian Social Club, a 100-year-old theater and performance venue located at 687 Central Avenue in downtown St. pete, is for sale | St Pete Rising
The Floridian Social Club, previously known as the State Theatre, has stood the test of time - outliving St. Pete’s other historic performance venues - and the owner wants it to continue to serve the community for another 100 years.
"Yes, it's for sale, but I'm not going anywhere. I’m staying in St. Pete," owner Kevin Chadwick said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. "What's important to me is finding the right equity and operating partner who can take the club to the next level."
Although Chadwick desires to be part of the Floridian Social Club’s future, he is willing to completely step away and hand over the keys to the right buyer.
Chadwick is working with Wendy Giffin, Managing Director of commercial real estate group Cushman and Wakefield, in securing a new partner.
The renovated interior of the Floridian is decked out with a Roaring 1920s style | Floridian Social Club
Chadwick, a St. Pete native and real estate broker by trade, purchased the two-story club at 687 Central Avenue in 2018 for $2.1 million. He reopened the venue as the Floridian Social Club in 2021.
Chadwick has poured over $4 million on renovations to preserve and upgrade the historic 1925 Beaux Arts-inspired building with all-new electrical, mechanical, plumbing, sound systems, staging, lighting, restrooms, green rooms, and bars.
The interior is decked out with a Roaring 1920s style. The exterior facade retains the Greek-inspired columns.
The building was constructed in 1924 as the Alexander National Bank, which was one of the largest banks in the city at that time. Following the 1929 stock market crash, the building traded hands from different owners who used the venue as office space before it eventually debuted as the State Theatre in 1950.
In 1991, the building was added to the St. Petersburg Register of Historic Places. The designation ensures the protection of the historic structure from demolition and exterior alterations.
THe front entrance and Lobby bar of the Floridian Social Club | St Pete Rising
"The Floridian Social Club is a chunk of our history, and I purposely renovated it to make the club the best use for the property," Chadwick said. "The magic we are missing is having someone who can influence performers and celebrities to reroute their tours and come here."
Giffin has been busy answering calls from prospective buyers across the county - both brokers and those in the entertainment space.
The marketing brochure excludes an asking price for the 8,600-square-foot venue. The sale includes the business and the wine, beer, and liquor license.
"This is a very unique product - there isn't a traditional standard marketing process," Giffin said. "It's been a boots-on-the-ground approach working with a small subset of people."
Chadwick said the club's programming is booked with burlesque and comedy shows and private corporate events for the next eight months.
Bands such as Jon Bon Jovi, Twenty One Pilots, Matchbox Twenty, and Sum 41 have previously performed at the Floridian Social Club.
