Jannus Live is not for sale, owner confirms as neighboring building hits market for $11.5 million
/The 2000-person outdoor music venue Jannus Live during an Explosions in the Sky show in 2007 | Jim Cate
Contrary to recent reports, Jannus Live, the iconic open-air concert venue in downtown St. Petersburg, is not for sale and will continue operating, according to the property's owner.
The confusion began when a two-story, 10,500-square-foot commercial building at 200 1st Avenue North, immediately north of the courtyard music venue, was listed for sale for $11.5 million.
Although the two properties share a longstanding connection, they have separate owners.
The building listed for sale is owned by The Jannus Landing Retail Building, LLC, associated with local businessman Jeff Knight, while the courtyard concert venue is owned by St. Pete Jannus, LLC, led by Tony Amico.
"Jannus music venue is not for sale and will continue to operate," Amico said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “There may be a short pause due to a change of operators, but the music will continue.”
The distinction comes after several local publications reported that Jannus Live was being sold, raising concerns about the future of the courtyard that has hosted concerts in downtown St. Pete since 1984.
The commercial real estate listing advertises the neighboring building as an investment opportunity, along with the possibility of purchasing ownership interests in certain businesses for an additional $6 million.
The property currently houses several restaurants and bars, including Dal Moro's, Shiso Crispy, The Landing Balcony Bar, and Joey Brooklyn’s. It also contains VIP suites used by Jannus Live.
The listing outlines a possible redevelopment that would add a rooftop music venue to 200 1st Avenue North with a projected capacity of 500 to 800 people, along with a second-floor dueling piano bar and comedy club that could accommodate another 300 to 400 guests.
The property outlined in red is for sale and is owned by Jannus Landing Retail Building, LLC, associated with local businessman Jeff Knight. The property outlined in blue is not for sale and is owned by St. Pete Jannus, LLC, led by Tony Amico | St. Pete Rising
However, the plans appear to be a redevelopment concept being marketed to prospective investors, not a confirmed development project. The plans have not been submitted to the City of St. Petersburg for review or approval.
The proposed rooftop space is referred to in the listing as "Jannus Live Rooftop Bar and Music Venue," apparently contributing to the confusion that the existing courtyard venue would be relocated to the roof.
However, the proposed rooftop venue would be located on Knight's property, not the neighboring courtyard.
While the courtyard is not for sale, a change in its operator could be coming.
Knight Global Entertainment, which currently operates Jannus Live, leases the courtyard from Amico's company under an agreement that expires on December 31st, 2026.
Amico confirmed that discussions are underway regarding a possible short-term extension of the lease to accommodate concerts already scheduled beyond the end of the year.
"We're negotiating right now. We may give him an extension to operate for a short time," Amico said.
Meanwhile, Amico is considering new operators for the concert venue and confirmed that there is significant interest in taking over the property.
"We have at least six letters of intent," Amico said.
He declined to identify the prospective operators, and no agreement with a new operator has been announced.
"We're going to do what's best for the music and the people of St. Petersburg," Amico said.
The building at 200 1st Avenue North, which currently houses several restaurants and bars, including Dal Moro's, Shiso Crispy, The Landing Balcony Bar, and Joey Brooklyn’s | Google Maps
The ownership relationship between Amico and Knight is also the subject of ongoing litigation in Pinellas County Circuit Court.
Under a November 2015 agreement, St. Pete Jannus, LLC, led by Amico, holds a right of first offer, a right of first refusal, and a separate option to purchase Knight's neighboring building at 200 1st Avenue North.
The right of first refusal generally gives Amico's company an opportunity to match a qualifying third-party offer for the property. The separate purchase option provides a process for purchasing the building at a negotiated or independently appraised value, subject to the agreement's conditions.
In July 2026, St. Pete Jannus filed a lawsuit against Knight, The Jannus Landing Retail Building, LLC, and two other defendants, alleging that a proposed $8.5 million transaction involving the sale of ownership interests in the property-owning company was structured to interfere with its purchase rights.
That proposed transaction was terminated in September after failing to close within the contractual deadline, according to court records. However, the lawsuit remains unresolved.
Amico confirmed that he is interested in purchasing the neighboring property at the right price.
As for the existing Jannus Live courtyard, Amico emphasized that the venue's future is not dependent on whether Knight sells the neighboring building.
"My neighbor may enhance the downtown St. Petersburg scene with some new things they have planned for their property next door to Jannus Landing, and I wish them the best of luck," Amico said.
