Built in the mid-20th century in the Art Deco style, it was designed by the architect Gaetano Maglione and inaugurated in 1949.

In 1997, it was remodeled and named after the famous Yucatecan singer-songwriter. For its inauguration, three events were held: the presentation of the Yukalpetén Typical Orchestra, the Folk Ballet of the State, and prominent Yucatecan singers.

It has three venues equipped with state-of-the-art technology: the Main Hall with a capacity of up to 1,200 people, the Cineteca Manuel Barbachano Ponce with a capacity of 227 people, and the Manuel Cirerol Art Room with space for 101 people.