Florida Construction News staff writer
Florida Studio Theatre broke ground Wednesday on the McGillicuddy Arts Plaza, marking the start of the most ambitious expansion in the theatre’s 52-year history.
The new plaza will serve as the centerpiece of FST’s downtown Sarasota campus, designed to meet the growing needs of its artists, audiences, and community.
“We are building because of need,” said Richard Hopkins, FST’s producing artistic director. “We need more seats to serve our growing audience. We need more parking for that audience. And we need excellent low-cost housing to serve the artists who serve Sarasota. This project will further those needs and serve the Sarasota community for decades to come.”
The McGillicuddy Arts Plaza, named in recognition of major donors Dennis and Graci McGillicuddy, represents a transformative step for FST. The project will expand the campus to include a state-of-the-art Mainstage Theatre, two new Cabarets, three floors of parking, and on-site artist housing.
The expansion design was created by Alan Anderson Architect and the cost is pegged at about $57 million, including theatre space, housing and parking.
“This groundbreaking reflects the generosity of so many who believe in the power of the arts,” said Dennis McGillicuddy. “Together, we are building something that will inspire for generations.”
For more than five decades, Florida Studio Theatre has presented accessible, thought-provoking performances to over 225,000 people annually. The McGillicuddy Arts Plaza will allow the organization to expand programming, welcome artists from across the country, and strengthen its role as a cornerstone of Sarasota’s cultural landscape.
“Breaking ground on the McGillicuddy Arts Plaza marks a new chapter in Florida Studio Theatre’s story,” said Rebecca Hopkins, FST’s managing director. “This plaza is more than a physical space—it’s a symbol of how art connects community. With artist housing in the heart of downtown, we’re ensuring that those who create the work we all love can live and thrive within the community they serve.”
Fundraising for the project will continue during construction.
