Floridan Hotel Slated For Luxury

From The Tampa Tribune
Published: Apr 20, 2005

TAMPA - A development company has bought the historic Floridan Hotel and plans to restore it as a luxury hotel marketed to business travelers and tourists. Lisa Shasteen, a lawyer and real estate broker representing Anotakos Floridan, LLC, said Wednesday that the company has bought the vacant hotel for $6 million and hopes to reopen it in two years. The development company is headed up by Antonios Markopoulos, a real estate investor.

Initial plans call for expanding room sizes and opening an upscale restaurant that would aim to attract city residents, tourists and guests, Shasteen said. The Floridan, at 905 N. Florida Ave., once was Florida's tallest hotel and one of its most luxurious. The hotel opened in 1927 with 400 guest rooms, a top-rated restaurant and an ornate lobby. Business began to suffer in the 1950's when new suburban lodging establishments competed for guests.

http://news.tbo.com/news/MGBSHKPZR7E.html

:eek2: YEAH! Finally!

Rather surprising that ti will be redeveloped as a hotel. Especially given the somewhat shady area it is in these days. I would have figured it would have become apartments or condos.

I hope these new owners make this happen. It would a thrill to see both the Floridan and the Kress building rejuvenated in a few years' time.

Its about time. Despite a recent article against it, I think a historic boutique hotel operating in a modern city like Tampa, has big time potential. Hopefully that entire section of downtown can come back to enjoy the popularity it once had.

*crosses fingers (and toes)*

This definitely lends credence to N Franklin continuing its nascent rebirth, as this is what, 2 blocks away from Franklin?

Floridan is on the east side of Florida, one block rom Franklin and two blocks north of the Tampa Theatrer building.

Makes me happy, but I will believe it when I see it.

This is the best news I heard in a while for north downtown. I really hope they end up following through with their plans. I am definately keeping my fingers crossed.

The full article...


Developer Proposes Comeback For Floridan

By RANDY DIAMOND rdiamond@tampatrib.com
Published: Apr 21, 2005

TAMPA - A developer who purchased the shuttered Floridan hotel for $6 million plans to turn the downtown landmark into a luxury hotel targeting business travelers and tourists.
The development company, headed up by Antonios Markopoulos, plans to transform the deteriorated building, opened in 1927, into the top hotel in Tampa, said Lisa Shasteen, a lawyer who represents Markopoulos.

``There are plenty of hotels in town,'' Shasteen said. ``The developers plan to distinguish the Floridan from the rest of the pack.''

The development joins other hotel projects recently announced for Tampa, some also promised as luxury accommodations. At least two are planned for the downtown area. A Westin hotel is planned for a site near the Courtney Campbell Parkway.

The Floridan, now boarded up at Cass Street and Florida Avenue, has a long history in Tampa. Once an exclusive hotel, it last entertained guests in 1987 and had become a visible sign of decline in downtown's north end and for several stalled redevelopment plans.

``It had been a blight and a cloud on the downtown renaissance,'' Tampa Economic Development Director Mark Huey said.

Huey said Wednesday's announcement, along with other development plans nearby, are hopeful signs. They include, across the street from the Floridan, the old Kress building , scheduled to be turned into residential housing, and several nearby condominium projects, he said.

Past efforts to restore the hotel never materialized. Five developers in the past 25 years failed to make good on their plans.

This time is different, city officials said. Huey says developer Markopoulos appears to have the financial resources to make the project happen.

Markopoulos sold a Days Inn he owned on Clearwater Beach for $40 million in September 2004 to Tampa philanthropist Kiran C. Patel. A luxury resort is slated for the site, and Markopoulos was one of the developers of the planned resort until he sold out to Patel. It was one of the biggest real estate transactions in Pinellas County history.

Markopoulos purchased the Floridan from Capital LLC, which bought the hotel in 1997. The death last year of the company's president, Alec Land, ended the company's efforts to finance the project, said its attorney, Jim Cusack.

When the Floridan opened, it was the tallest building in Florida, and its 400 rooms were among the most luxurious in Tampa. It quickly became one of Tampa's top hotels.

The announcement of the Floridan's renovation is important because of the hotel's significance in Tampa history, said Christine Burdick, president of the Tampa Downtown Partnership.

``It's a Tampa icon,'' but in recent years it ``had become a very sad eyesore,'' she said.

The hotel could count among its guests Elvis Presley, who bunked there after a concert in 1955. Gary Cooper wooed actress Lupe Velez at the Floridan. Velez was in town to film the movie ``Hell Harbor,'' one of the first talkies.

By the 1950s, the hotel had begun to decline. Newer motor hotels in suburban Tampa became the places to stay, and the Floridan became known more for its inexpensive rates than its luxury.

In 1962, owners invested $1 million in the property, but by 1969 the hotel offered monthly or longer room rates. After a brief closing in the 1970s, there was a succession of owners.

Shasteen said it should take about two years to reopen the hotel, which will have fewer rooms, a trend when renovating older luxury hotels. It will include a fine dining establishment that will aim to attract hotel guests and Tampa residents, she said.

The Floridan renovation is the latest plan in a race to build luxury hotels in Tampa. A Fairmont hotel is planned for the Channelside district, a Westin Hotel for Courtney Campbell Parkway and a yet- to-be named luxury hotel across the Hillsborough River on Plant Avenue.

"...a yet- to-be named luxury hotel across the Hillsborough River on Plant Avenue."

OK this is news to me. Does anyone else know anything about this?

Are they talking about that hotel that is supposedly going next to Four Green Fields on Platt? I wasn't under the impressions that was going to be "luxury."

Maybe it's something else I haven't heard about.

^That was like a 2 star extended stay hotel or something, wasn't it?

I think it is the Four Green Fields job and I think it is supposed to be an Upscale suites hotel - though not too big - but that is quite far from the Floridan and would appealto another market, methinks.

I will believe it when I see it, but I like the last sentence. . .

LATEST NEWS
Tampa Bay Business Journal - 1:08 PM EDT Thursday
Floridan Hotel to be restored
The Floridan Hotel, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, has been sold to Anotakos Floridan LLC.

The hotel was also designated as a City of Tampa Local Landmark in 1996. It's located at 905 N. Florida Ave.

The Floridan opened in 1927 and was the tallest building in Florida at that time, at 240 feet high. It's the only historic skyscraper from that time period remaining in downtown Tampa.

Antonios Markopoulos, the developer, plans to restore the hotel to its former grandeur. Work is scheduled to begin on the hotel immediately.
http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2005/04/18/daily54.html?t=printable

Had to revise my post as Smiley beat me to the Tampa Bay Business Journal Article stating the work to begin immediately.


As for its sucess, hip boutique hotels with destination resturants have suceeded in many large cities, even in rough or "up and coming" neighborhoods. Joire de Vire and Kimpton operate many in San Francisco that I have personal expirience with. I am sure there are many other examples. Also, and I am not trying to compare downtown Tampa with Miami Beach, but South Beach was run down and crime ridden in the 80's until a few visionaries slowly refurbished the art deco hotels and opened good restaruants in the late 80's early 90's. Downtown will never have the natural beach attributes, but a cool scene of a different variety can certainly develop. You have to start somewhere.

I personally have no doubt that if they fix it up well, it will succeed. It is unique around here. I would go there to eat and look around as long as the food is ok.

Planned Hotels Finding Skeptics
By RANDY DIAMOND rdiamond@tampatrib.com
Published: Apr 29, 2005

http://www.tampatrib.com/Business/MGBR37AQ38E.html


TAMPA - Developer Murf Klauber envisions guests at his planned 400-room Fairmont Hotel in the Channel District routinely paying $300 a night - willingly, even, because he says the hotel will bring a new standard of luxury to Tampa.

Nearby, in another part of downtown, a development company headed by hotel operator Antonios Markopoulos plans to bring back the glory days of the Floridan Hotel, built in 1927, by turning the shuttered, rotting building into a hotel unequaled in Tampa.

Their visions represent just two of five hotels planned downtown. A sixth developer has hired a consultant and also is considering a downtown hotel. The proposed projects join a 340-room Embassy Suites hotel under construction across the street from the convention center.

If all the planned hotels materialize, they will increase the number of downtown hotels from seven to 14, adding at least 1,200 rooms to the approximately 2,200 already available.

Hotel developers say high occupancy rates, a booming Tampa economy and plans to rejuvenate downtown with condo towers point to a market that can support new properties.

Although the Fairmont Hotel and the Floridan aim for the luxury market, the other three plans call for limited-service business hotels. Experts say those hotels can be highly profitable because they have limited staff and meals.

A developer is planning a limited-service Hilton Suites and a yet-to-be-named boutique hotel in the Channel district, near the Fairmont. Another limited-service boutique hotel is planned for property adjoining Four Green Fields tavern, across the Hillsborough River from downtown.

Local Developer Is Skeptical

Miami Hotel consultant Daniel O'Connor says he is working with a sixth developer who is considering renovating an existing downtown building. O'Connor said he could not provide specifics.

The hotel plans mirror those of the condominium developers, who promise to make downtown an urban center that doesn't shut down at 5 p.m.

Not everyone is a believer, despite an upward spike in business in recent years for downtown hotels. Rooms are full and rates are going up, as Tampa continues to recover from the recession and the Sept. 11 attacks, which slowed business and leisure travel.

When the slow summer months are figured in, the large number of new rooms may not be sustainable, says longtime local hotel developer Dilip Kanji.

``I'm very skeptical about new downtown hotel development,'' he says.

Kanji, who is building a waterfront Westin Hotel in Rocky Point, said he looked at downtown sites for a hotel over the past few years but decided the numbers didn't make sense. He said the market will likely support The Embassy Suites because of its location next to the convention center. Kanji also likes the boutique hotel planned near Four Green Fields, saying the 115-room facility is the right size and in a good location, across from downtown and near south Tampa.

That's where his optimism ends.

Kanji says conventioneers and business travelers drive hotel occupancy downtown. City officials rejected an expansion of the convention center last year, and combined with a lackluster downtown office market, new hotel rooms will be difficult to fill, he says.

Don't tell that to Klauber. He says naysayers told him his Colony Beach and Tennis Resort on Long Boat Key would be a failure when he built it three decades ago. Instead, he says, the resort spurred a hotel building boom.

Klauber sees the same happening in Tampa. He says the waterfront area by his hotel is a gem waiting to be discovered.

``Hotel rooms in New York City cost $600 a night, '' he says, maintaining that his $300-a-night waterfront rooms will be reasonable in comparison. ``It's a bargain.''

Competition Could Be Tough

Filling rooms at top rates can be a difficult proposition, even for the most luxurious hotels, says Mary Scott, general manager of the Tampa Marriott Waterside, the city's biggest hotel, with more than 700 rooms.

Scott says hotels rarely charge their rack rate, the top rate without discounts, to business groups and conventioneers that occupy a large percentage of Tampa's downtown hotel rooms.

The Marriott has a top rate of $289 a night, but Scott estimates only about 10 percent of guests pay that rate.

Over several years, Scott believes the downtown market could absorb 1,200 more rooms. Most developers have a shorter time span of two or three years. Quicker opening could mean competition and empty rooms.

``It could be a struggle,'' she says.

Reporter Randy Diamond can be reached at (813) 259-8144.

Whatever, there are always skeptics - if you build a good product, people will come to it. . .if you note, the main skeptic is a guy building a competing hotel in another area of town . . .

Exactly. Denigrate the competition by questioning their business plan and casting doubt upon the market. Personally, I'd be surprised if all five or six hotels actually get built, but if the demand is there then why not.

As long as the Floridan is done, I will be happy. The rest is gravy.

They just had a piece on this on Channel 13 -- I can't give much from the piece but I can say that the hotel inside looked like a disaster. I don't say that for any other reason than being a bit confused.

How many developers have purchased the Floridian over the last few eyars with plans to do this-or-that with the hotel? I've seen a few groups ove rthe years with plans and I would have thought someone would have at least cleaned up the mess inside.

That's not saying the plac eneeds to be condemned and demolished. No sir -- restoring that building to it's former peak just might be atougher job in the long run but not undo-able at all. It almost makes me feel like, when it's done,it will put the othe rhotels downtown to shame (sans maybe the Waterside....)

IT will put the msto shame if it is restored.

Many people have bought the building but they had some issues:
1) they all hinged their plans on Fed tax issues
2) north downtown was a mess and is now getting better
3) the city hadn't really woken up to the possibilites - though, of course, Mayor Greco had.

There is a real chance and to me that is one of the most important things you can do downtown - it is unacceptable to have a vacant decaying 22 story building in the middle of the city - that breeds a feeling of blight. If and when it is restored it will really change a lot - especailly if the other project are built near it.

I am telling you that hotel will rock all the time if they fix it up.

And I want them to put the sign back on the roof.

This is one of my favorite Florida buildings and am elated to hear this news. Just hope it goes through this time.

I also hope that the prices are not over my head. I'll be counting the days for when I can get a room.

Restoring a hotel this old to it's former condition will be great. I'm glad they decided to keep this one and not knock it down to build a new one.

Is the ratty old post office that butts up against the Floridan staying? Did Markopoulos (sp?) buy the whole block, or just the Floridan?

Bigger, Better Plans In Store For Floridan

http://southtampa.tbo.com/southtampa/MGBGDZ9079E.html

By JANIS D. FROELICH jfroelich@tampabay.com
Published: May 26, 2005

Advertisement

TAMPA … The bad news is the chandeliers are gone. The good news is the latest developer to own The Floridan since it closed in 1989 … there have been five previous developers … plans to ""restore the hotel even better than it once was.''

So says attorney Lisa Shasteen, who represents Antonios Markopoulos, recent purchaser of The Floridan Hotel for $6 million.

""There are no light fixtures left,'' said Shasteen, who estimates almost a two-year process to restore the once grand hotel.

She said the city's Architectural Review Commission recently opened a file on the hotel, which means the process to begin the renovation is at its earliest stage.

Shasteen said when the hotel at Cass Street and Florida Avenue is reopened, there will be fewer rooms, but there will be a fine dining restaurant.

Shasteen said a display area will be devoted to the glory days of The Floridan when the new place opens. Those with historical photographs and artifacts from the luxury hotel can call her at (813) 220-3000.

Reporter Janis D. Froelich can be reached at (813) 259- 7143.

It's nice they seem serious, but we shall see.

Maybe the Superbowl will inspire them

I would love to see what a restored Floridan would look like, too bad there are no pictures

Has there been any reports about the Floridian and the renovation process? is there any action at the building that can be seen from teh street level? dumpsters out frong and what not?

Apart from the inflatable snowmen that went up in December, the last activity I saw at the place was signage indicating some sort of tax exemption hearing at the city on December 8th. I haven't heard anything since then. The hotel is on my normal Sunday morning bike route and I haven't seen any changes.

They are before the ARC all the time. Fixing up a building liek that takes a lot of paperwork.

Thanks guys. I've jsut been running into someone on teh web who doesn't believe anything is happening with the building and that no developer "has the balls to renovate the hotel and bring it back to it's former glory."

Whoever it is, tell em to tune into the ARC hearings - they are sure to catch the Floridan discussions.

and if he did not notice that all the windows are either open or undergoing some sort of activity after 15 years of nothing - he is not looking.

I am the biggest cynica about Tampa, but even I have started to believe that, unlike Maas, which will come down for no good reason other than the blindness of our "leaders" - the Floridan might actually get salvaged.

unlike Maas, which will come down for no good reason other than the blindness of our "leaders" - the Floridan might actually get salvaged.


While I'm with you on the idea of preserving some of the grander old buildings downtown, the impression that I've been under about the Maas Bros. building was that neglect and other damage to the building (+ asbestos removal?) made rehabing the building financially untenable. It's a shame, but if you can't get a developer to finance a renovation because it won't be profitable, then knocking it down and putting the land to some use is superior to leaving the building abandoned.

Now, I would be behind some program to help subsidize restoration costs for buildings like Maas Bros. to make keeping them up profitable. But you can't force someone to invest in a dog, and it makes no sense to have valuable land wasted. :soapbox:

IT is expensive but doable. Many other cities have taken buildings that were in awful condition and renovated them. They jsut keep taking the easy and silly way out to "modernity"

Have any of you ever been inside the Floridan? I never have, but I have heard that the rooms were very small. If it doesn't work out for a hotel restore then lofts would be great.

Can the developers apply to some kind of a Federal Grants or something similar to that which allocate some funds to help finance in restoring historic building?

The rooms were small - they are altering the rooms

They are applying for grants (if they have not been approved previously)

Was looking for this article because I wanted to ask if anyone has been over by the Floridan hotel and can they tell if there is visible work going on around the building?

At night I have looked at the OXblue cam for Skypoint and seen what looked like lights on in the building -- it ws just glare from the street however, or at least that is what I figured it to be.

Does anyone have any pictures?

There is work going on, but mostly inside

I was in downtown yesterday and there were people on site and work being done. I can't wait for them to change out the old crappy, broken windows. They look very bad and contribute to the abandoned look of that part of downtown.

There is work going on, but mostly inside

I figured Smiley -- thus why I thought there was a light on inside the building - crews working. But most of what has been going on is internal demolition and reconstruction, right?

It would be nice to get pictures (as one of the above posters said) though there isn't much to see.

thats a great building I can wait for it to be finished!

Also if you go by, notice the exposed stone on the ground floor - that was all covered up before. They were working on it months ago. Usually you can see more action on the back side

New Beds May Draw Business To Tampa
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By TED JACKOVICS The Tampa Tribune

Published: Nov 14, 2006

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TAMPA - The Embassy Suites Tampa-Downtown, the 360-room hotel expected to help the city attract more convention business, may open as soon as Thursday if it can pass muster with the franchising company, according to a hotel representative. For now, it's accepting reservations beginning Dec. 1.

An uncovered walkway connects the 20-story Embassy Suites with the convention center, providing a second hotel near the city's sports arena and convention center.

"The opening of the Embassy Suites is great news for downtown along with the other hotel developments," said Paul Ayres, director of marketing and business development for the Tampa Downtown Partnership.

Changes at other downtown hotels also are a boost. Ayres said recent rebranding includes the Radisson changing to the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel and the Wyndham renamed to the Westin Tampa Harbour Island.

The Sheraton and Westin hotels and the Hyatt Regency Tampa all have renovations under way or planned, Ayres said.

"These product lines, along with the Tampa Marriott Waterside hotel, make Tampa more competitive for business at the Tampa Convention Center," he said.

The northern part of downtown also will get a boost in late 2007 or early 2008 with the reopening of the historic Floridan Hotel, which has been closed since 1987, Ayres said.

In addition, the Ashley Plaza Hotel near the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center will join the Howard Johnson brand, while the Economy Inn on West Kennedy Boulevard was renamed the University Inn earlier this year.

"All of this provides visitors various levels of hotel service from simple to the high-end," Ayres said.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813)259-7817 and tjackovics @tampatrib.com
http://www.tbo.com/news/money/MGBCPRRPHUE.html

IF you go by you can see where they replaced windows near the bottom - I also noticed last week that at suset you can see through some floors so I think the gutting is well under way

Interesting article on the Floridan and the adjacent Post Office -
http://tampabay.bizjournals.com/tamp...ml?jst=b_ln_hl

Floridan owner buys post office to deliver more space
Tampa Bay Business Journal - 2:06 PM EST Wednesdayby Carl Cronan


The owner of the historic Floridan Hotel has purchased adjacent property in downtown Tampa to expand facilities for a grand re-opening planned late next year.

Antonios Markopoulos paid $2 million for the post office building next to the hotel in the 900 block of North Florida Avenue, plus three-quarters of a neighboring block, and plans to turn the 20,000-square-foot structure into convention and meeting space, his attorney M. Lisa Shasteen confirmed Wednesday. The U.S. Postal Service's lease will expire in July 2007, she said.


The acquisition allows Markopoulos, a former Clearwater Beach developer, to plan for future construction and parking for the Floridan, Shasteen said. Restoration of the 240-foot-tall hotel is on track to be completed by next fall, she said.

"We're hoping for a New Year's Eve party," said Shasteen, whose Shasteen-Sizemore Co. has assisted Markopoulos with acquisitions and development. She added that she expects the Floridan's reopening to be a "hot ticket" for Tampa residents.

Built in 1926, the Floridan is the city's oldest remaining skyscraper and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The City of Tampa designated it as a local landmark in 1996.

Markopoulos' company, Antonakos Floridan LLC, bought the hotel for $6 million in April 2005 after a number of other developers tried and failed to restore it over the past several years. Capital LLC, the hotel's prior owners, had purchased the hotel in 1997 with plans to renovate the historic hotel. But the events on Sept. 11, 2001 put the renovation on hold, prompting a sale to Makropoulos.

Hmm the article says its 240 feet tall, I thought it barely reached 200. Maybe its just me but I really don't see the use for a small convention center in that part of town. Maybe it could be a good spot for an office building, or park.

^Agree about the convention center thing... However, I suspect that such space would be attractive to attorneys and such to some degree, what witht eh courthouses being so close. Plus, if the hotel wanted to do receptions and stuff, they probably needed more space.

receptions, conferences, and land banking - that is cheap for an area that will probably boom within the next 5-10 years

I think that they should do something that would be more asthetically pleasing to the building that it is neighboring (The Floridan).

You don't need a large scall "Convention center" but an accompanying meeting hall, banquette space, restaurant or ballroom would certainly work.

And whatever the new structure houses, it must (MUST!( compliment the hotel asthetically.

I'm certainly happy that ambitious condo project with the nuevo design is gone from the property now.

receptions, conferences, and land banking - that is cheap for an area that will probably boom within the next 5-10 years

Especially with Central Park coming just to the north within that time span, there will be more use for that land because it will be more prime. I can't see it staying a "small convention center" for too long.

Really all I want right now are some renderings

Waaaaaaaaaaaaay too early for that IMHO.

BTW -- Jason? Can you change the thread title? Just correcting the spelling of the FLORIDAN Hotel?

Does anyone know which "nuevo design" condo project was shelved because of this purchase?

It was the project proposed by Arbel Management out of So Florida. You could still see the proposed design which was out of scope with relation to the the hotel. It would be nice if they built somewhere else in the general area but not next door to the hotel. There website www.Arbel1.com
Who knows, they had never actually built a highrise...

Apparantly, Arbel Management sold the property to Antonios Markopoulos for $2 million. Not enough interest in their project?!?! Who knows...

I'm still in shock that the city council actually approved the project that Arbel offered up considering its proximity to the Floridan and how out of place it appeared in that specific location.

Does anyone know which "nuevo design" condo project was shelved because of this purchase?

http://www.arbel1.com/images/photos/tampapostoffice.jpg This is the project you are talking about. Which by the way is EXTREMELY out of scale! It would be nice to have a building this tall, but not so close to the Floridan.

has anyone ever been to the flat iron building in nyc? any project that adds density to the area would fit in.... JUST BECUASE HISTORY CANNOT TOP PRESEBNT, DOES NOT MEAN IT DOES NOT FIT IN.

Arbel never applied for the zoning change, they only had conceptual plans as they had never built a high rise.

It looks like the building if it were to scale would have been about 700 feet. Which, I think is great and that we need to start building a new area of highrises and not clustering them in a six block radius. I pity the fool who said to demolish all of Tampas old hotels and bank buildings because I think that our skyline would be double what it is now.

I pity the fool who said to demolish all of Tampas old hotels and bank buildings because I think that our skyline would be double what it is now.


It wouldn't be double, not even close, but it would be more dense in Northern Downtown and a lot nicer as far as quality of arcitechture, diversity and maybe pride.

Look, the buildings were demoed because paying taxes on an empty building with no breaks and no means of making money off of it while waiting to redevelop it is not a logical business practice. You can thank Sandy Freedman and the City Council (mostly the democrats - a fact, not a dig - the Republicans promote silly growth, the democrats tend to hinder growth) for that past practice. IT is has been made a bit better recently.

It still boggles the mind that such buildings were totally worthless in a city that was growing as much as Tampa was.

^^ It's like I read recently when someone described the BRT efforts on both sides of the bay: It's like Tampa Bay has to try to re-invent the wheel with things instead of just using what's there.

That's transit, though. This is development and yet I get the same feeling. What we have is never good enough for the developers, and yet what is put in place doesn't always make up for what was lost.

I'm just glad the Floridan kept standing instead of being demolished for a 47 story parking tower or something :p

^^ It's like I read recently when someone described the BRT efforts on both sides of the bay: It's like Tampa Bay has to try to re-invent the wheel with things instead of just using what's there.

That's transit, though. This is development and yet I get the same feeling. What we have is never good enough for the developers, and yet what is put in place doesn't always make up for what was lost.

I'm just glad the Floridan kept standing instead of being demolished for a 47 story parking tower or something :p

Maybe they will building the 47 story parking tower next door or something!

Or maybe a 60 story statue of Jeb Bush. I think that they could possiblity put a hotel up next to the Floridan.

It boggles my mind that of all the beautiful old hotels which once graced down town the only one to remain will be the Floridian. Least inspiring in terms or architecture or amenities the only thing it had going for it was, height. A drab brown monolith that has set vacant for nearly 20 years now. Personally of all the old tourist palaces of the 1920's the Tampa Terrace was my favorite.

http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/reference/rc20751.jpg
The Five Greats

http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/postcard/pc4507.jpg
Title: [Tampa Terrace Hotel : Tampa, Florida] [graphic]
Publication info: Not before 1924.
Physical descrip: 1 photoprint : b&w ; 5 x 4 in.


http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/frisbie/fr0503.jpg
Title: [Hotel Floridan : Tampa, Florida] [graphic]
Publication info: Not before 1930.
Physical descrip: 1 photoprint b&w 5 x 7 in.
Series Title: (Louise Frisbie collection)
General Note: Built in 1920s.


http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/reference/rc20752a.jpg
Title: [De Soto Hotel : Tampa, Florida] [graphic]
Publication info: 1922.
Physical descrip: 1 photoprint b&w 8 x 10 in.


http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/reference/rc0-375.jpg
http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/reference/rc00-149.jpg
http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/postcard/pc0052n.jpg
http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/postcard/pc4416k.jpg

:Sigh:....it's almost painful to look.

Some of these were really, really beautiful.

Some of these were really, really beautiful.

Definitely. Had the Tampa Terrace have been saved and not turned into a parking lot this could easily have been a centerpiece of down town. Updated, renovated and integrated into the modern community a hotel of this sort would have paid homage to Tampa's roots. Its a miracle other signifigant cultural landmarks such as the Kress Building and the Tampa Theater have managed to survive.

http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/postcard/pc4507.gif (http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/postcard/pc4507.jpg)

Food for thought, or perhaps just a juxtaposition to current trends. Its interesting to see just how well developed Tampa was becoming prior to the heights of urban sprawl.

http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/reference/rc20707.jpg
http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/reference/rc20706.jpg
Title: [Panoramic view from city hall : Tampa, Florida] [graphic]
Publication info: 1924.
Physical descrip: 1 photoprint b&w 10 x 8 in.
Series Title: (Reference collection)
General Note: This is part 5 of 6 numbered Rc20702-20707, sn:18401-18406.
General Note: This view is looking northwest with the Tampa Terrace Hotel under construction at the right.

http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/reference/rc24270.jpg
http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/reference/rc20690.jpg

Also notice the Mass Transit system in effect back in the 20's.

Yep, a trolley system which spanned Port Tampa to Ballast Point and as far north as Sulfur Springs. Truely impressive, and some how it was all ripped out and paved over in 1949 to improve transit for suburbs.

some very cool pics

Yep, a trolley system which spanned Port Tampa to Ballast Point and as far north as Sulfur Springs. Truely impressive, and some how it was all ripped out and paved over in 1949 to improve transit for suburbs.

I believe a line went to West Tampa too

One of these days when I have the ever elusive free time I need to dig through the historical archives and see if I can find a map of the trolley system. It would be awesome to see where the various stops and transit stations were located. I grew up with stories from my grandparents of catching the trolley at Ballast Point and taking it down town to the Tampa Theater and such for a nickel.

Wow. Its criminal to have destroyed these gems! Luckily the Floridan is getting a new life.

A couple others still exist although not in downtown.

1. The Bayshore Royal Hotel is still there. Now a condo building where Ceviche is. Howard and Bayshore.

2. The Castle looking building below the Hotel Biscayne still exists. I know I have seen it.

Postcard from the Mirasol Hotel on Bayshore:
Check out this website:

http://www.cardcow.com/45272/hotel-mirasol-tampa-us-state-town-views-florida-tampa/

I was looking through some of the vintage post cards from Tampa. Shame we lost all these great buildings.

The castle style building is on Davis Island. It is still there. I knew I had seen that building!

You can see it in this vintage post card.


http://www.cardcow.com/32516/beautiful-davis-boulevard-on-davis-island-tampa-us-state-town-views-florida-tampa/

Yes it is still there. If you are interested in old postcards of Tampa then you should check out the following link.

Post Card Collection (http://www.lamartin.com/postcards/tampa_cards.htm)

^^ Great link. Thanks.

Reminded me that the most beautiful hotel in Tampa survived! The old Tampa Bay Hotel which is now the University of Tampa.

Well its kind of survived. If you take a tour around the property there are many aspects of it that are falling into disrepair that it does not seem UT is addressing. Also, the grounds used to be landscaped and feature a myriad of supporting structures all of which are long gone. It has survived by adapting, but we need to make sure it is adequately preserved.

http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/frisbie/fr0503.jpg
Title: [Hotel Floridan : Tampa, Florida] [graphic]
Publication info: Not before 1930.
Physical descrip: 1 photoprint b&w 5 x 7 in.
Series Title: (Louise Frisbie collection)
General Note: Built in 1920s.




This picture of the Floridan makes me hope they put both signs back on the building when it's completed rennovation, that would look very cool.:)

I beleive I can recall the sign atop the building as a kid, so it wasn't that long ago really it was removed. <-- Born in '81

I'm pretty sure that I remember the sign coming down too, and I moved here as a kid in '86...

I also remember the radio tower that was in southern dt... And there was no convention center... and there was a cool little shopping center on Harbour Island(which has now been mostly converted to offices or something), but otherwise, the island had but a fraction of the population it has now. The Performing Arts Center was still u/c if I recall. NOTHING we see now in Channelside existed. BofA was either finishing up or had just finished... And the Marriott, Sun Trust, County Center, Rivergate, Sam Gibbons Federal Courthouse, 100 N Tampa and countless other midrises and highrises around town were either u/c then or yet to be built... The 'skyline' sucked ass when I moved here, but I thought it was great at the time, since I had just moved here from an exurb of Harrisburg, PA.

I think the sign would help bring back its 'old glory' and part of its identity. The sign being on top of the roof would bring a variety to Tampa's skyscraper's signs (seems like ever Tampa highrise has one in downtown) and make the building look taller and the sign on the corner would be a nice difference too.

Well, as I am older than most of you (though not so old), I clearly remember the sign and remember it coming down. I also shopped at the Wolf and Maas Bros stores downtown as a kid. In fact, my first pediatrician had his office downtown . . .

If I remember correctly, Markopolous said he was putting the sign back

. . . If I remember correctly, Markopolous said he was putting the sign back

You are correct sir. :)

That would be freaking amazing!

At around 8:30 last night I noticed lights were on inside the Floridian for the top few floors. It's definitley noticeable that work is continuing.

Interesting. I was down there last night, having taken the girl friend to the ballet and did not see anything when we got out around 10pm. Terrific to hear there is something going on in there though, gotta be terribly spooky in there having been abandoned all these years and transient, hooker hangout prior to its closing.

At around 8:30 last night I noticed lights were on inside the Floridian for the top few floors. It's definitley noticeable that work is continuing.

Were you there in person or are you drawing from the Ox Blue webcam for Skypoint? I've been noticing the "Lights" in the building for months, but they are just light being reflected from the other buildings in the area.

I'm not doubting you, because I'd expect night work on the project, but I'm just hoping you're not being mislead by reflections off the windows.

No, I was there in person. Went through Channelside to get ice cream and drive around a little bit. Lights were on the top two floors. I would've gotten pics but my digital camera doesn't do well at night. :)

So, I wonder how business will be for the hotel when it opens... between this and the Embassy Suites, about 700 rooms will be added to downtown's hotel inventory. I wonder how much more it can handle in the next few years? Especially now that the cruise industry in Tampa is maturing (re:growth is bumping up against infrastructural and geographical limits)... the city is doing its best to kill off Ybor's nightlife... The Pinnacle project died... The museum projects all still exist only in one's imagination... The convention center was built in a bad spot for expansion, and now can't secure the massive funding they would need to grow... It seems that dt Tampa's draw as a tourist spot is hitting some rough waters, and with a stagnant office market, it would seem to me that perhaps the demand for hotel rooms downtown isn't as robust as the city would lead us to believe.

I think the hotel market is underserved and that the Floridan will fill a specific niche. You also have to remember htat it will only have 150 or so rooms - which is not too big. They will likely make good money on banquets and whathave you. Hell, I know many people who, if they came to Tampa would rather stay there than anywhere else - assuming the price is good (they also need to get a good brand say the "Floridan Biltmore" or something

Plus think of all those attorneys who need to stay there close to the courthouse.

I would think the business interests in Tampa with lodging needs will keep The Floridan jumping. It will be a unique experience, regardless of its ability to accomodate for conferences. I'll bet it will experience success similar to the Vinoy in DT SP.

While I think there will be a success, I doubt it will be like the Vinoy. The Vinoy is more of a luxury hotel then what I believe is planned for the Floridian and totally changed St. Pete. It's too bad the Courthouse had to be built just 1 block to the South of the Floridian, or the views would've been spectacular. It almost makes me think since they allowed the Courthouse to be built 1 block to the south, that they would've had no problem just tearing the Floridian down anyway since they didn't seem committed to keeping it unblocked or "in glory," so to speak. :bash: Luckily it is being saved.

Hey, we have a ton of residents supposedly moving downtown imminently, when there folks visit they will need a place nearby to stay...

Thus all the hotel space :)

Really, Jasonhouse hit on a point with the hotels and the convention center. While the Convention center serves a purpose still -- the fact the HCBCC won't fund roof repairs makes the city and the region look amateurish in the eyes of conventioneers and attendees.

I wonder if anyone in the city or county has ever floated locations for a new, expanded (and further expandable) convention center somewhere in the city?

The fairgrounds wouldn't be a bad location for a convention center. That area would just need a few more hotels. They already have that annex building that doesn't do much throughout the year that I know. Possibly an expansion in that vacinity could work. Unless the current Convention Center can and is willing to build up more.

Part of the attraction of our convention center is its location on the bay. Without the bay, I doubt we'd receive as many conventions.

^^ Agreed. Plus, conventioneers prefer amenities like hotels, restaurants, and entertainment options within easy walking distance of conv. centers.

I also find it difficult to imagine talking about building a new convention center when our collective governments are having such a hard time maintaining the center that we have already.

I cannot see building a new convention center, much less out in the fairgrounds area unless we really want to give conventioneers a bad taste for Tampa. That area, even with the Ford Amp and the Hard Rock is not exactly what I think of as desirable. It is sort of a low income borderland to industry and eastern Hills suburban sprawl.

The existing location has a presence to it and perhaps there will be a way to expand it either up or out as needed. What was done with the Orange County Convention Center comes to mind, where the 2nd structure was built across the street and connected by elevated walkways. Actually, aside from not liking the architecture of the OC Conv Center, I really like the internal layout and function of it. It is just a shame that space is so limited surrounding our convention center now.

The fairgrounds wouldn't be a bad location for a convention center. That area would just need a few more hotels. They already have that annex building that doesn't do much throughout the year that I know. Possibly an expansion in that vacinity could work. Unless the current Convention Center can and is willing to build up more.

That'd be horrendous.

Besides the Hard Rock hotel and casino, there is nothing around the fairgrounds substantial enough to keep conventioners interested. You don't build a convention center outside of the city. You build iit in the city.

I would suggest the land in between the Mariott and Embassy Suites which sits directly in front of the parking garage. This would enable to Convention Center to still be "centered" in this district as well as expand out and up. Another consideration could be the land (roughly a city block) where Fuel and other smaller offices sit. If the city purchased this land, they could expand in that direction and maybe even over to the vacant lots across from the Selmon therefore bringing the center closer to the center of downtown. There are plenty of vacant lots in that area and being that there is not a whole lot going on there now, WHY NOT???
This would help trigger addtional retail development in the area and still keep the core convention business in the CBD next to the hotels?
Thoughts?

I see the Floridan as becoming the home base of the Performing Arts Center and parties/conferences built around that.

The lot is not big enough unless you are talking going vertical.

Does anyone have any updates on the renovation of the Floridan? I haven't heard anything lately and I keep looking for signs of life on the Skypoint webcam...

You are not alone on that Casey. I look for it too and can't notice anything...

Negatory, was down there shooting yesterday and I could not see any signs of life in the Floridian. I think its another dead in the water project.

uh oh...

Maybe they are having 2nd thoughts, what with all of the existing and coming hotel competition dt, and all of the surrounding development potentially killing views... But like we've all noted before, this hotel would be truly unique in the market, and should do pretty well if they can position themselves to serve the business market and still remain attractive to tourists looking for nostalgic charm and service.

They should build a few other hotels like this because this is an amazing building.
I think Tampa is moving too far away from its roots you know? I really would like to have a skyline with more than steel and glass.

No, they are working on it. IF you look closely the open windows change. Some of the windows have been rehabbed. Lots interior work to do and some days the light goes all the way through the building (gutted floors). Patience.

I walk by the floridan everyday and they are always working on the building. they are doing walls and ceilings. I have seen them putting in new frame work for walls recently. If you go by there during the day you can see work being done

There has been frame work done. I have seen them personally doing some work. I have seen the metal framing of a great multitude of floors.

well, thankfully that was just some smoke up our collective asses...

Not a lot of new info in this article, but at the least it does confirm that everything is reportedly on track for the Floridan's rehab.
http://www.tampasdowntown.com/newsletter.aspx?newid=69

THE FLORIDAN: PHOENIX RISING

By: Gary Shepherd

In 1956, after playing a gig at Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Elvis Presley stayed at the Floridan Hotel in north downtown Tampa. Other guests during the hotel’s glory days included heavyweight boxers Max Baer and Primo Carnera, big-shot businessmen, politicians like Florida Senator Claude Pepper, and some shady characters, too.

Developer A.J. Simms, also responsible for New Suburb Beautiful and Parkland Estates neighborhoods, built the hotel. The 170,000-square foot structure is the sole skyscraper left from Tampa’s early-century land boom, and the Georgian Revival/Beaux Arts landmark was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

The 20-story hotel was the tallest building in Florida when it opened in 1927, and it became the region’s hottest nightspot for decades. Anybody who was anybody danced in the Sapphire Room, drank in the lobby bar, and ate in the magnificent dining room.

“I met a lot of nice people – and a lot of people who weren’t so nice, too” says Gus Aroncebia, bartender and then head bartender from 1942-1959. “The Crystal Room was the prettiest dining room in Tampa. And the Sapphire Room was the place to go. People used to call it the ‘sure-fire room,’ ” says Aroncebia with a laugh.

Aroncebia, now 92, looks forward to revisiting the Floridan as early as next New Year’s Eve. That is the ambitious reopening target set by the new owner, Anotakos Floridan, LLC. Principal Antonios “Tony” Markopoulos bought the Floridan for $6 million in 2005 after selling some Clearwater properties for $40 million. Markopoulos is the latest of several owners who have sought to revamp the building.

The Floridan – whose sister hotels include the Waldorf-Astoria in Midtown Manhattan – began a slow decline in the 1960s; it was boarded up in 1989. Since then, the 240-foot-tall, 426-room building has attracted rooftop vultures and attendant splatter, dust, and debris. The brick building presents a decrepit sight to employees at the federal courthouse just south of the hotel.

But Markopoulos is determined to succeed, says his lawyer, Lisa Shasteen. In addition to the $6 million hotel buy, Markopoulos spent about $4.3 million more to accumulate additional downtown property – all of the block where the Floridan is situated and three-quarters of the next block to the east. Markopoulos plans hundreds of parking spaces, a pool, a spa, and careful revitalization to restore the hotel’s original beauty.

The new Floridan will have about 212 larger guest rooms, including eight to 12 suites and two penthouses, says Shasteen. It will have two barrooms and two restaurants, including a 3,000-square-foot formal dining room, plus meeting rooms, and other amenities. It will be independent and not fly a chain-hotel flag, says Shasteen.

Markopoulos – a camera-shy native of Greece and a veteran of the hospitality industry in Canada and the U.S. – is “an unbelievably hands-on guy,” says Shasteen. He’s on site most days checking work done by carpenters, electricians, and other tradespeople. Markopoulos is funding the project himself, so there is no set budget, says Shasteen. The architect is Morris Baptiste of Pinellas County.

The downtown community will see more exterior work soon, says Shasteen. Canopies will adorn the Floridan above Florida Avenue and Cass Street, roadway cut-ins will be created, and stamped asphalt will be used to simulate brick sidewalks. With city approval, parking meters may be removed, a “blade” sign above the Florida/Cass corner will be bolted in place, and the original neon roof sign will be relit.

And what about the planned gala, which is sure to be a hot ticket – will the Floridan be ready for its New Year’s Eve unveiling? “It can be done if everyone stays on schedule,” says Shasteen.

The newly placed signs are something I'll really be excited about to see.

Wow I can't believe they are finally following through with the Florida Hotel, I'm excited for it to come back alive.
Next is the Kress building lol!

Good to hear they're committed to doing this. It's been way too long...

Glad to hear they're going to relight the sign. My view of the Tampa Theatre's sign will soon disappear behind Element so it'll be nice to still be able to see a bit of vintage on the skyline.

Told ya . . .

Glad to hear they're going to relight the sign. My view of the Tampa Theatre's sign will soon disappear behind Element so it'll be nice to still be able to see a bit of vintage on the skyline.

I hope it won't be as bright as the T. Theater sign. Too bright, I doubt it was that bright back in the 30s.

I hope it won't be as bright as the T. Theater sign. Too bright, I doubt it was that bright back in the 30s.

One could only guess.

It doesn't exactly keep me up at night so I don't really think it's all that bright. The light Skypoint had on while they were doing work on the pool level at night was horrible, but of course that was also only temporary. The real problem for downtown residents is going to be CSX's new engineer/asshole, who seems to enjoy lingering over the whistle blasts between 2 and 3 every morning.
Anyway sorry to get off topic.

To prove that indeed renovations are underway at the Floridan Hotel, Tampa's Downtown Partnership released this blurb and picture in their weekly "Monday Morning Memo" under the "Seeing in Believing" section:
Many have heard the news, but some still are not sure if renovations are really being done on The Floridan Hotel. The Partnership’s online publication, InTown Tampa, currently features an article about the renovations that are underway. Still, some want more proof. There is growing exterior evidence things are happening. Most notable is the new roof that was recently installed. Checkout an aerial shot of The Floridan’s new roof taken by the City of Tampa by clicking here.


Roof picture here: http://www.tampasdowntown.com/Editor/assets/monday%20morning%20memo%20documents/floridan%20roof.pdf

The roof looks really nice.. Now if they can get the inside and exterior to look as good, you can bet this hotel will be the place to be on the grand reopening on New Years Eve..:banana:

I will be there!

Oh yah me too!

While I was in downtown today for my birthday, I noticed almost all of the windows on the Floridan facing East have been replaced with new windows. Other then a few of the upper floors and the column of windows behind the exterior construction elevator. There were also construction people walking around it with a truck or two. It is starting to look nicer.

Does anyone know if the New Year's Eve bash is still on???

The New Years Eve thing was just speculation to begin with TamBay. I don't think it will be officially on or not until December whent he project is near / has been completed.

If it is then I will be one of the first people buying tickets.

^if the public has access at all.

I think that would be extremely selfish! I hope they bring back The Sapphire Room. I would love to see it revamped.

I could see it being an invite only event, that way you only get the who's who of the area. Or at least a high-end deal where you need to get a room, etc etc. In any case, it's great to see someone restoring a historic building.

Instead of tearing it down to make it another empty surface like some other people are doing.

Especially since it is the last historic high-rise left in the city (city hall doesn't count).

Good Things Happening Inside Floridan

The news about downtown redevelopment has gotten gloomy as of late, what with developers canceling plans to build high-rises and investors walking away from condos they hoped to flip.

So the time seems right to applaud a man who's remodeling a downtown building that many said was too expensive to restore - the old Floridan Hotel.

The Floridan was the state's tallest building when it opened in 1926, but it became a flop house in the 1960s and was closed in 1987 after a fire.

Two years ago, hotelier Tony Markopoulos bought the yellow-brick building for $6 million. He said he needed to sink his energies into a new project after selling his Days Inn on Clearwater Beach for a major development there. He took a drive around Tampa and kept coming back to downtown's iconic hotel, written off by others as a money pit.

Markopoulos is getting his fingernails dirty by working shoulder-to-shoulder with construction workers, electricians, plumbers and painters. Much work remains on the 16-floor hotel, where 426 small rooms are giving way to 205 larger rooms, including 16 suites and two penthouses. But new walls have been framed on the upper floors, the period windows have been repaired and the ornate ceiling in the lobby and banquet room have been repainted with jaw-dropping detail.

For Markopoulos, the Floridan is a labor of love and craftsmanship. How refreshing.

He hopes to open the boutique hotel in time for New Year's parties already booked. When the ball drops, Tampa should toast this man who rolled up his sleeves to restore a lovely piece from our past.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/jun/10/bz-good-things-happening-inside-floridan/?news-opinion-editorials

Yea, maybe they can toast him on the 19th (or 20th depending on what you are counting - there is stuff on the roof) floor of the brown brick building he is actually renovating.

The Tribune should be mightily embarrassed. Can't they get a stringer to count the rows of windows or something


http://www.flheritage.com/facts/reports/places/sites/images/full/floridan-hot.jpg

^ Maybe the lobby is a few stories tall so there really are 16 floors? Not sure myself, I have never been inside.

Yea, maybe they can toast him on the 19th (or 20th depending on what you are counting - there is stuff on the roof) floor of the brown brick building he is actually renovating.

The Tribune should be mightily embarrassed. Can't they get a stringer to count the rows of windows or something


http://www.flheritage.com/facts/reports/places/sites/images/full/floridan-hot.jpg

LOL. EVERY. SINGLE. POINT. that registered as wrong with me, you bring up here Smiley. Great job. :D

There are 20 floors on the building. It's been talked about as a 20 floor skyscraper (truly a midrise now) for a long, long, LONG time... And suddenly it drops 4 floors? FTW?

Out of curiousity Has anyone on the board been inside the building? Just curious of how big the public areas of this hotel are

A while ago - not that big - just look at the footprint

THe best thing about the editorial is that in the paper it has a very alrge picture of the Floridan right next to it - so anyone could count. Mother Trib, how I love thee . . .

Out of curiousity Has anyone on the board been inside the building? Just curious of how big the public areas of this hotel are

I've seen alot of interior shots, as some of my friends did break into the hotel, and from historic photos. Seems it had a strange layout, with certain bars and restaurants on a mezzanine, the large lobby off of Florida Ave, a smaller lobby on the other street. Looked pretty typical of 1920s hotels in general, if you've ever stayed at some, so a smaller lobby than is usually found in a downtown hotel these days, perhaps a little more spacious that the Tides on South Beach. The rooms were tiny though, as you can tell by the fact that the developer is halving the number available. Still, it was a big building for its day, and I'm sure that he'll open up the first few floors off the ground for conference space, playrooms, etc. Up on the roof isn't a floor, it used to be the original owners home, where he raised his daughter. My grandmother claimed that in her youth she would go to nice rooftop parties that were connected in with the Sapphire Room, a popular nightclub in the air-conditioned part of the hotel's upper floors.

Rather surprising that ti will be redeveloped as a hotel. Especially given the somewhat shady area it is in these days. I would have figured it would have become apartments or condos.

I just saw on http://www.channelside.com/channelside.asp?categoryID=6 20% of the Floridian will be condo units

Hmm. Hadn't heard that before. Seems doable, a way to pay down some of the restoration debt.

I've heard of it having some residences in the past. I originally heard it was going to have a few lofts not condos.

This aired on Channel 13 last night, my friend just sent it to me:

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=85738A31477B54552BBCA6D11B210B0F?contentId=3961514&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1

It shows a lot of the construction that is underway inside the building.

Wow that's great, especially that they seem committed to restoring it completely to the original style. Though they definitely aren't going to finish this year, I thought it was supposed to be next new years eve any ways? They still have to wait for the post office to clear out so they can demolish the building next door and work on a parking structure--currently there is nothing in the way of parking.

Wow, that's great news ... I drive by a lot and it looks like nothing has been done outside, so I was beginning to wonder ... but that's going to be a Tampa signature once its opened again. And now, it looks like its almost certain to open in the next few months.

Great news.

Nice video. I liked the shot of Floridian under construction. Its rare I see the old buildings still being built.

I was thrilled when my buddy sent me that video because we haven't heard or seen anything form inside the Floridan under renovation and rehabilitation. This was a much welcomed sight. I'm just sad that you can't embed the WTVT video on other sites (without special software and uploading to third party sites).

I'm just sad that you can't embed the WTVT video on other sites (without special software and uploading to third party sites).

Well it would be a dick move to actually do (use their bandwidth), but not that hard. The FLV file is here (http://media.myfoxtampabay.com/video/0803focus1.flv) and can be embedded with any existing SWF that lets you point to a video file. Their own SWF is a little overly complicated and depends on some JS for said pointer. I'm sure it could be used, but I don't really want to analyze the JS or decompile the SWF and dig through for the right flashvar.

Obviously one could just upload that linked FLV to YouTube and easily have an embedable SWF... But that qualifies as uploading to a third party site. Though technically I think that's better than loading it off their server through your own SWF since it doesn't cost them anything and still gives them advertising (it's obviously from Fox 13).

You know, part of me got lost in technobable there Jonknee (and I usually understand my stuff). What I was trying to imply was that it'd be nice if 13 would be able to allow people direct syndication/embeding of their videos like how YouTube works. I have hosting and FLV player capabilities and such... That's not the problem. Hell, there really isn't so much of a problem doing all that. But it's a little tougher to find the file while searching through the code...

EDIT Uploaded the file to YouTube as JonKnee suggested...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxuZWdjwhRE

I agree with you that they should make it easy, but since they don't provide an embed link I was just saying it's probably not cool with them if you do try and embed it (which is technically possible and actually pretty easy if you have your own SWF). So YouTube works fine and is definitely easier than loading the FLV through your own SWF (that would involve a little coding or at least cutting and editing and pasting).

And FYI, I found the direct link to the FLV file with the FireBug (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1843) extension for FireFox. It has a feature that shows all HTTP requests plus their responses and that includes any requests that come out of JS or Flash. So there was an entry for that movie file. That's probably about the only way to find the address because it wasn't present in the JS or HTML, at least from what I saw--they obfuscated it somehow

It's a really handy extension, I use it mostly to help me out when I'm coding AJAX stuff or trying to fix CSS issues. But it comes in handy for downloading Flash videos too :).

You know how to code in/for AJAX?

I hate you :p :)

I come from a server-side scripting background, back in the day Perl and then [thankfully] PHP. But I have more recently done some client-side coding with JavaScript (utilizing a few AJAX libraries, I am not clever enough to go from scratch). Nothing crazy, stuff like: drag and drop sorting of images in a gallery, search as you type, inline editing, inline form submission, etc. Nothing innovating, but it makes interacting with my back end stuff a little nicer. But that's how AJAX should be IMO, subtle innovations in UI and responsiveness.

I actually have a new project that's almost done which will be an interest to you guys--a restaurant database that's ridiculously easy to use and browse. It has a few AJAX goodies, but one of the coolest parts is that it's integrated in with Google Maps. I'll post the link in a week or two, or if anyone is interested in testing out you can PM me and I'll give you the link. Tampa is the first market, but it's built to handle any number of markets (and any number of neighborhoods for a given market--something that drove me nuts for the existing sites out there, I want to find a restaurant near me, not across town). I think you'll all be impressed.

anyone heard anything new about the Floridan? Target opening date? Has anyone seen exterior work being done at street level like was reported in the Partnership newsletter?

I drive by the Floridan almost every single day. If they are in fact doing work at the street level as reported, it is the most covert operation I've ever seen. That, or I'm the most oblivious observer. :ohno:

BTW, where did you read they were working on the street level? I must have missed that.

Hawk, they said this summer that they were going to be working on some stuff such as sidewalks and parking and curbside stuff. It may have already happened for all I know....

With that in mind, I think it's weird that we have heard nothing about the hotel's opening with the rumored New Years Eve bash (again, I'm quoting from the Downtown Partnership newsletter from this summer -- it's a few pages back on this thread). That or they just fell behind and don't want to announce they aren't going to be ready until the 1st quarter of 2008 or later.

I drive by the Floridan almost every single day. If they are in fact doing work at the street level as reported, it is the most covert operation I've ever seen. That, or I'm the most oblivious observer. :ohno:

BTW, where did you read they were working on the street level? I must have missed that.

Agreed. I've been by there numerous times during the week and there is certainly nothing going on @ street level or for that matter even to the exterior of the structure. It still pretty much looks like death warmed over from the sidewalk. It will certainly not be ready in time for New Years or for that matter St Patrick's Day from what I am seeing. Hopefully, there is quite a bit going on inside!

I said before that if they are planning a new year's eve bash it's for next year. There are no external changes, but I know work is being done because what windows are open still does change. That being said I've never actually seen a worker.

Perhaps they'll have a ballroom or something like it completed in time for New Year's Eve, with the rest of the renovation to be completed in 2008?

Ballroom + New Years Eve = BIG BASH!

I wonder if that will happen...

Perhaps they'll have a ballroom or something like it completed in time for New Year's Eve, with the rest of the renovation to be completed in 2008?

If that was the case you would think some work would have been done on the street level at least. They don't even have the doors open. It's like trying to watch construction going on inside Wonka's factory, you know there are people in there but you can't see them.

^^
That is strange...

If that was the case you would think some work would have been done on the street level at least. They don't even have the doors open. It's like trying to watch construction going on inside Wonka's factory, you know there are people in there but you can't see them.

"Nobody ever goes in..... Nobody ever comes out."

Thanks for the responses guys. I thought all of this stuff was imminent and it seems more like later than sooner now.

Since the weather has been so nice lately I have been taking walks every afternoon. I swung by the Floridian today and took some photos with my phone. Not much going on in the front but I did see some equipment and a few workers (!!) in the back. Also there are new windows installed all up on the back side and I could see aluminum studs through those. I don't think you can see it in the pics, but it was quite obvious in person. So there is definitely work being done. Nothing has gone on in the old Post Office area--it is just a big open space. I think that's supposed to be demolished and turned into a parking garage.

Here are the pics: http://jongales.com/pics/development/floridian/

^^
Those are nice pics.

The first and last ones need to be rotated though.

^^
Those are nice pics.

The first and last ones need to be rotated though.

Just lean your head :P

Since the weather has been so nice lately I have been taking walks every afternoon. I swung by the Floridian today and took some photos with my phone. Not much going on in the front but I did see some equipment and a few workers (!!) in the back. Also there are new windows installed all up on the back side and I could see aluminum studs through those. I don't think you can see it in the pics, but it was quite obvious in person. So there is definitely work being done. Nothing has gone on in the old Post Office area--it is just a big open space. I think that's supposed to be demolished and turned into a parking garage.

Here are the pics: http://jongales.com/pics/development/floridian/

I'm very glad to see that.

Just lean your head :P

I did that :lol:

I sure hope this one works out. It just seems to be going so slow. But remember that a news crew went on a tour several months ago of the inside. Like I said I hope this one makes it

There is too much vested already to stop now... They are so close! Electrical, sheet rock, decor and furnishings.

They have an elevator up on the Southern side of the building now. It has a platform that allows workers to access around 20' of the building's exterior at once. They also had some street level windows open, so I took a peek. Really rough, but definitely still in progress. I'm still giving it about a year.

In an unrelated note, anyone recognize this hotel?
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb313/JosefBrisko37/BAT/oldtampahotel.jpg

^^
???

Tampa Terrace Hotel - was next to where Northern Trust Bank is (on the east side of Florida)

Yup :). I'm making 3d models of old Tampa Buildings.

VERY cool, but you should put that in it's own thread please, not hijack this one.

My bad, can I create a thread in the Skyway lounge?

JBrisco, you should post your models to the 3D Models forum, under the Creative Corner>Drawing Board. Great Model, btw!

In an unrelated note, anyone recognize this hotel?
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb313/JosefBrisko37/BAT/oldtampahotel.jpg

Very cool. The Tampa Terrace was the nicest of the grand hotels downtown. A cool project would be for some hotel developer to rebuild the Tampa Terrace, with some modern updates.

^I'm not so sure it would work well anymore... It would have to be scaled up considerably I think, clearly altering the look and feel of any kind of replica design.

I'm not so sure how drastically you would have to change the exterior countenance, certainly the success or failure of the Floridian will be good indicator as to the viability of such designs. It seems to me that if done properly, a revamped Tampa Terrace could be on equal footing with projects similar to the Embassy Suites.

I was thinking that dimensionally, the original design wasn't that big, which means that there isn't much room to make money off of, while the cost of replicating the old design would probably come at a considerable premium... My thinking is that such a thing would have to be scaled up to make it financially viable, if it's possible at all.

Very true, there would have to be substantial cost cutting over the original methods of construction and probably a wider footprint. Though, I think with a little ingenuity you could clear those hurdles. They can do some pretty cool stuff with preforms these days. Dunno, its an admirable thought at least.

Here's the Tampa Terrace's cousin in Lakeland. It was renovated back into an upscale hotel a few years ago, but the city had to give incentives to get the job done.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-2776-p1050307.JPG

Just noticed on the Skypoint webcam that work on the south exterior of the Floridan is ongoing. Check it out (zoom in on the Floridan):

http://oxblue.com/client/rjgcameras/skypoint/

^Thanks for that heads up. I would've missed that if you hadn't brought that up. :)

I'm really excited about this project. I wonder when we'll hear more news...

^^
Wow, this is only your first post? Well, welcome. I hope you enjoy SSC. :cheers:

Oh, and Happy Holidays to you too.

Outward renovations on the Floridian on 01/05/08. The first time I have been downtown and seen crews working on the exterior. Surely a good sign of things to come.

http://a716.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/17/l_7b1269a3e9cc1e0cc8f8199a604ec2f3.jpg

^Nice.

I can't wait to see the signs go back up. :yes:

I wonder if they will put canopies or overhangs back up over the entrances?

^Sfaik, yes.

I saw them working on the facade along Cass today. It immediately looked better just from the old crud being blasted off the trim around the windows.

I can not wait until it is complete.

I just wish there was some way to get in contact with whoever is managing this project, and find out the status of it. I'd love to see the old sign back on the top. I occasionally see lights on inside the main lobby when I drive to work in the morning (circa 6:45 a.m.), but these are probably just lights left on all night, as I never see anyone there that early. The windows on the east side are all new, but the windows on the west side still look old. I wonder when they'll be replaced.

Window replacement is taking place along with the cleaning. See the Skypoint web cam:
http://oxblue.com/client/rjgcameras/skypoint/

You can zoom in on the Floridan and see they have half the south side of the building cleaned with half the windows replaced.

I've never seen lights on in the building through the cam -- only reflections from the lights of other buildings.

At any rate, remember they ran a story on Channel 13 late last summer (a link to download the video is a few pages back, I had put it on Youtube but I have since deleted my youtube account) and that shows the internal work. A lot of that is taking place - cleanings, restorations, rewiring, new plumbing, etc.

I imagine the sign will not be going back up until just before opening.

The lights that I've seen are not full interior lights - I think the main source is one bright white headlight, but I can often see some of the railings and such.

The south side has been like that since before Thanksgiving. I've been by a few times recently and haven't seen much progress, so hopefully they're at least getting things done inside.

Wow!!! Take a look at the skypoint webcam!
The windows on the side have been repainted and look wonderful!!!!!

I'm seeing very little progress.... the windows on the west side still look nasty like they've always been, and I rarely see that platform on the south side moving up and down anymore. And about that platform... it's always on the south side. They never move it!

That platform was on the north/east side for months. Just relax

They still have 11 months of work left. At least.

Its a personally financed project, so yes they are taking their time but progress is indeed being made. Once its finally completed with any luck this will be a shining example of the sort of renaissance which is possible with many of our older buildings in Tampa.

I'm sure they are taking their time moving to the West/Florida side as it may involve them blocking off a lane of traffic, which they had to do on Cass. Heck, just think of how many years this thing has sat vacant!

It is amazing just looking under the top lip of the, for lack of a better word, crown, the amount of mildew that is there, and then look on the part where they pressure washed.

Thought I would post a pic of the ongoing work on the Floridan. Intersting watching it happen outside my window.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j199/trump74/IMG_0434-1.jpg

Wow, that's just great. :okay:

Welcome to the forums...

Carver, nice picture. I have been wondering if that was an elevator or what that is on the south side of the building, nwo I know. Thanks.

They have a platform attached to it and are able to work on the exterior windows that way (all the ones that are extra white are in range of that lift).

Yeah, look at how much cleaner the roof and exterior are around the platform elevator.

i want to know how there are going to sell units for a half mil. If i was in the market, id rather live at the element than here. plus with the cash saving ill get my 7 series as well

I;'ve heard NOTHING about Floridan selling units or even doign timeshare stuff. They were goign to be a boutique hotel.

Maybe they were going to sell the penthouse or something (IIRC the top floor used to be the home of the hotel's owner). That would be a pretty sweet pad, especially with the huge patio area. It's definitely a hotel first though, so I don't think they have to worry about selling units.

A rooftop lounge and bar ah lah The Standard (http://www.standardhotels.com/los-angeles/restaurants-bars/rooftop-bar//)would really compliment a boutique hotel downtown.

I hate to rain on the parade, but to me it does not look like there has been a substantial change to the building in the past few months. While the southeast corner of the building is indeed clean, it has been this way for quite some time, while it looks like nothing has been done on the west side of the building. You can see in the above picture that none of the windows on the west side have yet been replaced. I would really like to know what the hold up is.

I hate to rain on the parade, but to me it does not look like there has been a substantial change to the building in the past few months. While the southeast corner of the building is indeed clean, it has been this way for quite some time, while it looks like nothing has been done on the west side of the building. You can see in the above picture that none of the windows on the west side have yet been replaced. I would really like to know what the hold up is.

They are probably working on the interior and exterior one section at a time.
So they are probably working on the 2nd half of the side interior, than moving to that exterior portion.

I agree rhythm nationI drive downtown just to check out progress on bldgs there and it doesnt look like threres been anything done since that one section. Hopefully like JBrisco says they are working on the inside. I wish that someone on the board knew someone on the "inside" with this one; they sure are taking their time

It's self-financed, so they are definitely taking more time than the typical project. But there are workers there almost every time I go by.

Agreed, its slow going but there are workers on-site. Its also a very different sort of project than any other going on around town. A building that old, left essentially abandoned for that long being renovated under self financing. The unfortunate thing is that it will not be open in time for the Super Bowl, that would certainly be a cash cow for an opening.

Did you hear it would not be open for superbowl? My guess is it would be done before that

Considering it's not going to get a water hookup for several more months, I'd say that is a safe assessment.

http://tampabay.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2008/02/11/focus1.html?from_msn_money=1

In December, Shasteen was told it will take eight months to permit and install water service to the 19-story hotel that had been shuttered for 30 years, she said. That delay follows the year-long process of obtaining the approval of the city's Architectural Review Commission.

"Eight months to connect to water is pretty amazing," Shasteen said. "Every day it's as though we are burning money. We are just lighting it with a match and throwing it out the window."

Markopoulos paid $12 million out-of-pocket to assemble the Floridan block, she said. Plus, he's paying renovation costs as he goes. Until the project is completed, it's too risky for banks to finance it.

Without running water, Floridan construction workers are unable to check new pipes and connections on higher floors for leaks. That means they can't finish walls and interior work.

Wow, I didn't realize that. Hopefully they get that taken care of

Noticed this morning that the crane and platform have moved to the southwest corner of the building. Seems like they are slowly making their way around the building. Here's a pic I took.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j199/trump74/IMG_0443.jpg

Thanks Carv. So thought it's movign disappointingly slowly, it is indeed moving (the project as a whole)

Look who was right :)

Okay, is there any chance we can change the title of this thread so that it doesn't misspell both the name of the hotel in question and what's being done to it? I hate playing the grammar jackass since my own is far from perfect but as long as we're going to be actively posting here it's rather embarrassing that we can't at least get the name of the crown jewel of what remains of historic downtown Tampa spelled correctly.

^Better? ;)

Yeah. Not to be a prick. It's nice that enough visible work is being done on the building that we actually have reason to post in this thread.

Thanks for the pic! It's finally nice to see that something is being done.

I'm reposting a link that was on an earlier page:

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=85738A31477B54552BBCA6D11B210B0F?contentId=3961514&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1

That's evidence enough work is and has been ongoing inside ad around the building. It aired last august on Fox 13. You just need to look at how ornate soem of the restorations have been to know that it's a tedious job and slow going as well.

I am so glad you reposted that link, because I love seeing the interior. I was actually wondering if they had a ballroom area because I was considering having a wedding reception in it if they did

They began cleaning tha second half of the south side of the Floridan hotel yesterday. I was looking at the Skypoint cam and saw the upper molding had been pressure washed or repainted. 1I actually had to verify it happened to make sure I wasn't just seeing things. sure enough, friday afternoon you can find the platform in place and the crew working on it.

BUMP


People mentioned this project in the Trump thread. It seems like this project is still doing fine, slow but overall it is moving along. I am very excited to have this hotel back in Tampa, it will make a great addition.

Steve

I mentioned it not-as-much to doubt the project but to express the concerns that pop up hee because of the lack of news.

I think it's been expressed many times that people couldn't tell if work was happening at the building or what. I had reposted a video link from months back in order to show that there was interior work going on. Jonknee posted a link about the water line stuff.

Outside, it doesn't look like work is going on. Inside -- we can only guess. That video story is all we've got... Though it's a good peek at things progressing.

Does anyone know if they are going to have a pool in the new hotel?:badnews:
Just curious I think it has to have one to compete..

And I can't wait for the old Floridian Hotel marquee sign to go up..:banana:

Almost certainly not. It's a historic building, not a resort.

It would be nice to have a pool, but I think they could compete without it. The Floridan's main draw was always the "hip" bar, so hopefully they will renovate that back to it's former glory, it would be a great place to go for a drink!

Steve

I coudl see them having a spa in the enw building (the former post office that will be converted for parking and a ball room) but there is no way in hell I expect a pool. Nor do I really want one. As it was said - this is a historic building, nto a resort. Not a motel competing for tourists on the road.

The Floridan will have a pool/lounge deck on top of their parking structure (5th floor if my memory serves correct). If they want to compete at the high end, they absolutely need it.

Almost certainly not. It's a historic building, not a resort.

It's a historic building, but it's also a for-profit project. It's not as if someone's talking about adding a pool to the old Tampa Bay Hotel (H.B. Plant hall at UT)... if the Floridan Hotel is going to be competitive either as a hotel or a condo highrise, it needs to tastefully adapt some modern amenities, such as a parking structure, modern comforts (air conditioning, internet capability, modern plumbing fixtures), and probably a pool.

They're not converting it into a resort, but I imagine its restorers see marketing the hotel as an elegant business hotel. Pools, conference and convention rooms and such are pretty much the standard. They want it to be reminiscent of the gilded 20s, not stuck in the gilded 20s.

Judging by the Skypoint webcam, exterior restoration of the south side of the building is complete and has now begun on the west side.

I saw them actually working on it last Sunday. It was surprising to see workmen on the weekends, but I indeed saw them on the platform completing the south side, which now looks amazing. (They finally replaced those large lobby windows - now if they'd only make the doors more presentable)

So they are now in the process of welding an overhang onto the S side of the building. I wonder if that is going to be the main entrance.

I have not seen any details, but if the redesign is similar to the original configuration, the South vestibule connected to the original lobby level via formal stair hall. I'll look for photography - I'm told it was once very handsome.