St. Petersburg – Real‑estate developer Tony Amico, owner of the downtown courtyard that has housed Jannus Live concerts since 1984, told the St. Pete Catalyst that the beloved concert venue is not for sale. A recent commercial listing mistakenly suggested the venue itself was on the market.
Listing error involves neighboring building
The property actually being offered is the two‑story corner structure at 200 1st Avenue N., known as the Jannus Landing Retail Building. The listing, posted by Target Commercial Real Estate, asks $11.5 million and incorrectly includes the phrase “Jannus Live music venue.” Photographs on the page are AI‑generated renderings of a possible renovation and are not labeled as such.
Venue remains under current management
Amico, whose company is St Pete Jannus LLC, emphasized that Jannus Live will continue operating in the space. “Jannus Live is not for sale, will not be for sale. Jannus Live will be a concert venue until that block does something. And the city may never let that block do anything,” he said.
The venue includes a standing‑room‑only concert area with a stage at the east end, the Landing Balcony Bar, and the now‑closed Moon Mountain. Management continues to run a “VIP Experience” for patrons.
Complex ownership structure
Understanding who owns what is a tangled process. Knight Global Entertainment LLC, which began managing the courtyard concerts in 2010, was founded by businessman Jeffry Knight. Knight leased the space from Amico for more than a decade before stepping down as President on May 5, 2025. His contract, which renamed the space Jannus Live, expires in December.
Megan Barnes serves as the registered agent for Jannus Landing Retail Building LLC, manager of Knight Global Entertainment, and general manager of Jannus Live.
Legal issues surrounding former manager
Eight days before his resignation, Knight’s 37‑foot pleasure craft allegedly collided with the slow‑moving Clearwater Ferry on Clearwater Bay, causing a passenger death and multiple injuries. Knight has pleaded not guilty to 24 criminal counts, including eight felonies. His trial is scheduled for February 2027 in Pinellas County Circuit Court.
Future of the venue’s name
Amico indicated that once new management is secured, the venue’s name could revert to its historic title, Jannus Landing. He noted that he has received numerous inquiries from parties interested in taking over the concert business and added, “We can operate without Mr. Knight’s property. It doesn’t affect us.”
Target Real Estate owner Michael Schweiger declined to comment for this story. The Catalyst reached out to Barnes and Knight’s representatives but received no response.
Community impact
Jannus Live has been a cultural staple in downtown St. Petersburg for more than four decades, drawing both local residents and visitors to its open‑air stage. The clarification that the venue itself is not for sale reassures fans and local businesses that the music space will continue to contribute to the city’s vibrant arts scene.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
