The Florida Theatre’s VIP member lounge was renamed the PNC Lounge on Sept. 12, a new collaboration with PNC Bank as the official naming rights sponsor.
The 3,000-square-foot amenity on the second floor of the administrative building will serve more than 1,600 individual members and 30 corporate partners who make an annual contribution in support of the nonprofit historic theater Downtown and its programming.
“We thank PNC Bank for its continued commitment to the Florida Theatre and the nonprofit activities of this organization. Their sponsorship of the PNC Lounge helps underwrite the cost of providing free tickets to Title 1 schools and veterans and reduced rental rates for local nonprofit organizations, among other activities. PNC Bank is a long-time supporter of the North Florida arts community, and we’re thrilled to embark on this partnership as the Florida Theatre approaches its 100th anniversary in 2027,” Numa Saisselin, president of the Florida Theatre, said in a news release.
“The PNC Lounge not only provides an exclusive space to celebrate the venue’s history and those who support it, but also represents our continued commitment to investing in local institutions that enrich the lives of our neighbors and strengthen the communities we serve, Chris Kalin, PNC regional president for North Florida, said in the release.
The PNC Lounge accommodates more than 300 people standing and can be reconfigured for 150 people seated at tables, enabling the venue to use the lounge as an alternate performance space on nights the auditorium is dark. The PNC Lounge will be rentable for business, civic and private events, the release said.
The VIP member lounge was established in 2022 and was constructed by repurposing the formerly vacant second floor of the Florida Theatre Office Building at 128 E. Forsyth St.
PNC Bank also sponsors the Third Thursday Sip & Stroll on the Downtown Southbank and the Home Plate Club at VyStar Ballpark.