St. Johns County Celebrates the Reopening of the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
On July 30, 2025, St. Johns County celebrated the grand reopening of the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. The Office of Public Affairs produced a video to capture the celebration.
In 2023, the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) unanimously approved a public-private partnership with SJC Cultural Events, Inc. (SJCCE) to oversee the operation and management of the St. Augustine Amphitheatre and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. Last year, the BCC participated in the “Load Out” of the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall ahead of the grand renovation.
Below is the press release issued by SJCCE on the reopening of the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall:
ST. JOHNS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND ADMINISTRATION “LOAD IN” TO COMMEMORATE GRAND REOPENING OF PONTE VEDRA CONCERT HALL
Event celebrates the completion of Ponte Vedra Concert Hall’s transformation, while highlighting community partnerships and enhanced quality of life for St. Johns County residents.
With stage lights lit and instruments in hand, St. Johns County Commission Chair Krista Joseph, Commissioner and Vice Chair Clay Murphy as well as Commissioners Sarah Arnold, Ann Taylor and Christian Whitehurst joined County Administrator Joy Andrews onstage Wednesday, July 30 for an inaugural “load in” to commemorate the grand reopening of the newly renovated Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. The event marks the completion of a transformative $12.9 million renovation and sets the stage for the venue’s reopening concert on August 1, featuring GRAMMY award-winning bluegrass artists Dan Tyminski.
The ceremony welcomed elected officials, project contributors, and community supporters for an exclusive first look at the reimagined venue. Jerry Wilson, President of the Friends of Ponte Vedra Concert Hall and a founding member of the SJC Cultural Events Inc. Board of Directors, presided over the moment. “Today, we are loading in for the next era of the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall,” announced Wilson. “This is the manifestation of a local St. Johns County success story.”
For the past 14 months, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall has undergone a meticulous reimaging to enhance the fan and artist experience while preserving the intimacy and authenticity that have drawn hundreds of thousands from across the United States since its 2011 debut as a music venue.
“The fact that you can take the old and transform into the new and keep that spirt, keep that feel, and that vibe is nothing short of a miracle,” remarked Commissioner Clay Murphy.
The renovation has resulted in a state-of-the-art venue that raises the bar for live entertainment in Florida. With upgrades to sound, lighting, artist amenities, seating, concessions, and infrastructure, the Concert Hall is now equipped to host up to 180 concerts annually, positioning Ponte Vedra Concert Hall as a cultural cornerstone for Northeast Florida. It also plays a vital role in regional tourism, having welcomed guests from all 50 states and contributing significantly to local hotel occupancy, dining, and retail economy.
“The most important part of the Concert Hall is what it does for our quality of life,” said Commissioner Christian Whitehurst. “This elegant, sophisticated, and smart building that we now stand in today is going to be a venue for decades where loved ones come to share experiences. This is a true legacy project that will benefit St. John’s County for decades to come.”
Commissioner Sarah Arnold added, “Today we stand here together, marking a new era that will further enhance the quality of life in St. Johns County while growing the economic benefit derived from the tourism.”
“What you see today is a promise into a future that is filled with happiness, laughter, music, collaboration and connection,” said County Administrator Joy Andrews.
The project was a community-led effort from start to finish, employing local architects, contractors, tradespeople, and suppliers. From custom wood paneling by Rulon International to painting by Boston Painting and landscaping by Southern Horticulture, prioritizing local partnerships was key to the renovation’s success.
“I want to point out that the local community helped build this,” said Commissioner Krista Joseph. “Everything’s great about this because it’s bringing revenue and tourism to our County and those are two things I really love about this project.”
“From the very beginning, this renovation was handled with a deep respect for the land and smart planning. Instead of tearing down and starting over, we looked at what was already here and found ways to make it even better,” said Commissioner Ann Taylor. “Let this project serve as a model for how we approach every corner of our County – with care, purpose and pride.”
Originally constructed in 1980, the building that now houses Ponte Vedra Concert Hall first served as a Baptist church. After its purchase by St. Johns County in 2006, it underwent its first major renovation to become a live music venue. In June 2022, Friends of Ponte Vedra Concert Hall launched the “Elevate Campaign” to raise funds for a second-floor balcony. That campaign sparked the momentum that ultimately led to a full renovation of the facility.
While the building remains a St. Johns County property, it is operated by SJC Cultural Events, Inc. (SJCCE) through a public-private partnership established in October 2023. SJC Cultural Events, Inc. also operates The St. Augustine Amphitheatre and produces Sing Out Loud Festival and Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series.
Beyond its role as a premier live music destination for decades to come, the venue’s impact will also extend into the community through the Friends of Ponte Vedra Concert Hall Music Therapy Program.
As Jerry Wilson explained, “Our vision is to go beyond these four walls and bring the power of music into the lives of people right here in St. Johns County and beyond.”
Working with Florida State University Board Certified Music Therapists, the Music Therapy Pilot Program launched in July 2025 to provide evidence-based research on the benefits of music therapy among children ages 5 to 8 years old in West Augustine. In a surprise announcement, the Friends of Ponte Vedra Concert Hall presented a second round of research funding to FSU Provost Dr. Jim Clark to focus on improving the quality of life for teenagers and adolescents in St. Johns County through music therapy.
Gabe Pellicer, CEO & President of SJCCE closed the event with heartfelt thanks to teams of people who contributed to the renovation and added “I’m so proud to be a part of this project and I’m incredibly excited to show what this room is capable of.”
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ABOUT PONTE VEDRA CONCERT HALL
Ponte Vedra Concert Hall blends historic character with state-of-the-art enhancements. Originally repurposed from the foundation of a former Baptist church, the venue opened in 2011 as one of North Florida’s premiere spaces for live entertainment. Following a $12.9 million renovation and reimagining completed between May 2024 and July 2025, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall provides an unparalleled live music experience with expanded capacity, enhanced production capabilities, new artist and audience amenities, and elevated outdoor gathering spaces. Operated, programmed, and managed by SJC Cultural Events, Inc., Ponte Vedra Concert Hall will host nearly 180 concerts each year and remains a must-play venue among artists.
Address: 1050 A1A North, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082
Website: www.pvconcerthall.com
ABOUT FRIENDS OF PONTE VEDRA CONCERT HALL
Friends of Ponte Vedra Concert Hall was created in 2011 by a group of local St. Johns County residents eager to support the Ponte Vedra Beach Concert Hall. Through their active membership program, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising campaigns, Friends of PVCH educates, cultivates, and activates community programs that make northeast Florida a better place to live. Friends of PVCH recognize how music unifies, heals, inspires, and enlightens people. Following a 2024 strategic planning process, in 2025, Friends of PVCH expanded their mission to discover the intersection between music and wellbeing through strategic community collaborations and partnerships. Friends of PVCH vision is BIG and meant to actively contribute to higher quality lives for people through the power of music. For more information, please visit www.friendspvch.org.
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