The Florida Theatre began construction in summer of 1926 by Southern Enterprises, Inc. with R. E. Hall & Co. and Roy A. Benjamin as the architects.

The theatre was established as a seven-story concrete fireproof building with a roof garden and with an emphasis on showing movies and live performances.

The opening night had several programs featuring fanfare of the American Legion Bugle Corps, a live stage show, and the film Let It Rain.

[citation needed] On August 10–11, 1956 Elvis Presley played two shows at the Florida Theatre to the dislikes of Jacksonville's city leadership.

A committee was formed and Judge Marion Gooding prepared arrest warrants due to Presley's bodily movements and influence on the local youth.