St. Pete's Historic Manhattan Casino to reopen after renovations
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The Historic Manhattan Casino, featuring a new mural by artist Egypt Hagan. Photo: Kathryn Varn/Axios
A century-old St. Petersburg landmark is set to reopen this weekend.
Why it matters: After four years of renovations, a public ribbon-cutting ceremony tomorrow will kick off a new life for the Historic Manhattan Casino as a city-owned and operated event venue.
State of play: The property underwent about $5 million in renovations, including the addition of a first-floor event space, conference room, green room, and bar and kitchen, per the city.
- The second-floor music hall and ballroom got refinished floors, a raised ceiling and new drapery.
Flashback: The venue, built in 1925 by Black businessman Elder Jordan, was an entertainment center for Black residents during segregation and part of The Deuces business district.
- As part of the Chitlin' Circuit, a network of Black-owned venues across the South, it hosted legendary musicians including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.
If you go: The reopening ceremony is from 10am-1pm.
- Residents are also invited to a "Deuces Day Out" after, with refreshments and music at Deuces Corner Park and free admission to the Woodson African American Museum of Florida as part of Free Museum Day.