ORIGINAL DESIGN SUBMITTED TO CITY OF ORLANDO - SUBJECT TO CHANGE BEFORE CONSTRUCTION
More than five years after renovations were first announced, work at The Beacham (Website) and its sister properties at The Block (Website) are still moving forward in downtown Orlando.
Built by former Orlando Mayor Braxton Beacham Sr. in 1921, The Beacham is a historic downtown Orlando landmark that originated as the city’s first major theater for vaudeville and film. It has evolved from its 1920s entertainment venue roots to a Cinerama in 1964, and then later became the renowned nightclub and concert venue it is today.
According to venue representatives, they are currently waiting on final permits and city approvals before moving into the next major phase of construction, which includes some major overhauls for the historic building. Despite the slow pace, several interior improvements are already underway, and additional upgrades are planned once approvals are secured.
Planned renovations include the installation of a new digital marquee on the exterior, a repainted façade, and a refreshed entryway. The front lobby is set to receive new flooring and carpeting, while the sidewalk entrance will feature new tilework and new doors. Interior painting has already begun, with a fresh coat of Art Deco-friendly teal replacing the moodier burgundy that it has been sporting for years.
The Beacham’s upstairs bar is also being remodeled, with plans to remove the heavy banquet seating in favor of high-top tables to create a more flexible layout. The venue also removed its main interior bar about a year ago, allowing for expanded seating configurations. As a result, The Beacham can now accommodate approximately 500 seated guests or up to 1,500 for general admission events.
Programming at The Beacham is also evolving. Operators say the venue is moving away from traditional late-night club programming and toward earlier, weekly events, responding to increased demand for that format. Much of that demand has come from women, though late-night programming will still be used when appropriate. An example of the shift is the upcoming Early Bird event on February 6, scheduled from 6 to 10 p.m.
The adjoining Social space remains a core part of the operation, hosting roughly 150 shows per year, primarily focused on live music.
A notable addition is also being planned for the street-facing bar space at The Corner, which fronts the venue. The space was previously part of Barbarella, a downtown staple originally opened by John Barber in 1987 before closing in April 2022 when he took the concept on the road as a series of monthly pop-ups. The Corner is being transformed into a new coffee shop operated by former phlebotomist Brandon Erving of Black Brew Bros. Coffee (Instagram). The space is being completely gutted and rebuilt, with design work by Clark Stranahan at C4 Architecture (Website). The coffee shop has already received approval for sidewalk café seating.
Venue operators shared with Orlando Shine that they hope the physical upgrades and a retooled programming strategy will better align their properties with current downtown demand, even as the project continues to navigate the city approval process.
