TAMPA | The Epicurean Hotel (by Bern's) | 5 stories | 145 Rooms | U/C

jonknee · April 30th, 2007, 06:20 PM

Info is about about The Epicurean, a condo hotel from and across from Bern's. The Bern's people usually do good stuff. The wine fest yesterday where this was presented was completely sold out well in advance ($100 a head and probably 700+ in total). It doesn't look like too much was revealed, but I only made an after party and not the actual wine fest so maybe it is just the reporting. It looks like there will be some condo units, though it's not clear if they are part of the 75 room count or not.

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/04/30/Ta..._for_you.shtml

A hotel built for your palate

For now, it's a dusty construction lot on S Howard Avenue.

But by the end of 2008, it'll be The Epicurean Hotel, a 75-room boutique hotel that will include a rooftop pool and bar, a spa and a parking garage.

On Sunday, Bern's Steak House owner David Laxer unveiled plans for the luxury condominium hotel project four years in the making that his family will open across the street from their restaurant.

With a focus on food, the hotel will feature upscale wine and cooking demonstrations, classes and wine tastings at the Bern Laxer School of Food and Wine.

It will also feature a new 18, 000-square-foot signature restaurant that will serve hotel and local guests from breakfast into the late night.

Chef partner Jeannie Pierola didn't reveal a lot about the restaurant, except to say it will have a very different approach.

Bern's Fine Wine and Spirits, now located down the street from the steak house, will expand into a new 9, 000 square foot location in the hotel that will house guest wine lockers and storage.

"I don't think there's anything in the country like this, " Laxer said.

Alexandra Zayas can be reached at zayas@sptimes.com or 813 226-3354.

Update: the Tampa Bay Business Journal had more information:

Urban Studio Architects, Smith & Associates Real Estate and Coral Hospitality are working with Bern's on the new property. Urban Studio Architects provided design services, and Smith & Associates is responsible for selling the suites.

Coral Hospitality is providing technical services and consulting during the pre-opening stages and then will provide hotel management services after the opening, scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2008.

The hotel will house a restaurant and an expanded Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits shop that includes wine storage for guests. Suite will have between 365 and 800 square feet and will be priced in the mid-$200,000s.

Amenities include 24-hour room service, wireless Internet service, flat-screen satellite television, bar service at the rooftop pool, workout facilities, full-service day spa and business meeting space. Additionally, guests may attend educational seminars in a culinary and wine classroom.

smiley · April 30th, 2007, 08:15 PM

Well, that's nicer than the parking lot

FLHawk · April 30th, 2007, 09:40 PM

Wouldn't it be nice if the Berns team took this opportunity to also "spruce up" the exterior of their flagship restaurant across the street with some decent landscaping, signage, etc.

I know people love this venerable institution for its reputation, its history, the service, and of course the steaks, but quite frankly it looks like s**t from the street.

jonknee · April 30th, 2007, 10:34 PM

^ Depending on your taste it also looks like s**t in the inside. SideBern's has a much nicer style in my opinion.

JBrisco · May 1st, 2007, 12:20 AM

I like this exterior it is rather nice.
Although, it's the inside that counts.... right?
HAHA.....

FloridaFuture · May 1st, 2007, 02:05 AM

Bern's interior is an authentic classic European collecton and may never be changed in style.

The condotel proejct looks alright, a little bland sort of like the exterior of Bern's. Here's another rendering from the website:

Maxim98 · May 1st, 2007, 02:19 AM

Really nice filler.

randommichael · May 1st, 2007, 05:47 PM

I like it and we need more projects like this in South Tampa. Increasing density in the area is a good thing.

Jasonhouse · May 2nd, 2007, 12:48 AM

I have created a thread for this project... Which I love, especially for ridding the streetscape of that hideous parking lot. Hopefully, this will help draw the eye away from the Selmon Expy underpass and Bern's itself, neither of which are much to look at...

Which reminds me... I'm not quite sure I understand why the overpasses through the hood near Ybor look so ritzy, but an overpass over a road lined with properties paying millions (literally) in taxes every year can't have its overpass even get a good pressure washing and paint job...

On another tack... I think it's really great to see substantive densification occurring in this district, though two trends continue to just eat away at me...

1... Why do developers continue to offer lip service about creating a 'pedestrian friendly environment', yet they never bother to actually offer any kind of protection for pedestrians from the sun or rain... No awnings, no overhangs, no trellis', sunshades or anything else. Nah, let's design a project so that peds get to bake in the sun, surrounded by road, sidewalk and building, all of which are a crispy 150+ degrees.

2... What exactly is it with nimbys demanding the city approve squatty, hulking slabs like this which kill all green space? What exactly do they think this solution gets them 30 years from now, when another 50 projects like this have been built, and half of the streets across central Tampa become 50-80ft stucco canyons? Build a little bit taller, and you can have a whole hell of a lot more green space (and less impervious surface) to do other things with, yet keep the housing supply and tax base.

tamparican · May 2nd, 2007, 01:15 AM

IMO its def a good thing this project, I hope the interior looks better then the exterior, nothing special about it really, but I feel its a good addition to the city, I also like the idea of the local community creating a project like this, its something different and upscale which fits right in, in that area...

smiley · May 2nd, 2007, 01:37 AM

Jasonhouse,

IF this project retained the features discussed in the approval process - it has an arcade across the front

AS for height, while I am generally with you, I can see why the people don't want the hotel looking into their backyards - that is why they should build at bayshore . . .

Jasonhouse · May 2nd, 2007, 02:42 AM

^Perhaps it is deeper than I thought from the renderings above... It looked to me like it is largely cosmetic, with there only being like 3 feet from the back of a column to the storefront. If it's usable, then strike my rant as it relates to this project, as this would actually be an example of what I'm advocating.

jonknee · May 2nd, 2007, 03:40 AM

Jason's totally right about wondering why the overpasses in Hyde Park look so gross. Ybor's historic district status got it special treatment, but you think the sheer volume of property taxes coming from Hyde Park would get it done.

I hope the Epicurean's interior is in a similar style to SideBern's. That's one of the sharper places in town (though I'm a sucker for a round bar).

smiley · May 2nd, 2007, 04:11 AM

Well certainly the grass is nice, but a wide sidewalk with good awnings (and some trees) would be nicer. We will just have to see. The impression I had from the hearing was it was wide, but it may not be

JBrisco · May 2nd, 2007, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasonhouse

I have created a thread for this project... Which I love, especially for ridding the streetscape of that hideous parking lot. Hopefully, this will help draw the eye away from the Selmon Expy underpass and Bern's itself, neither of which are much to look at...

Which reminds me... I'm not quite sure I understand why the overpasses through the hood near Ybor look so ritzy, but an overpass over a road lined with properties paying millions (literally) in taxes every year can't have its overpass even get a good pressure washing and paint job...

On another tack... I think it's really great to see substantive densification occurring in this district, though two trends continue to just eat away at me...

1... Why do developers continue to offer lip service about creating a 'pedestrian friendly environment', yet they never bother to actually offer any kind of protection for pedestrians from the sun or rain... No awnings, no overhangs, no trellis', sunshades or anything else. Nah, let's design a project so that peds get to bake in the sun, surrounded by road, sidewalk and building, all of which are a crispy 150+ degrees.

2... What exactly is it with nimbys demanding the city approve squatty, hulking slabs like this which kill all green space? What exactly do they think this solution gets them 30 years from now, when another 50 projects like this have been built, and half of the streets across central Tampa become 50-80ft stucco canyons? Build a little bit taller, and you can have a whole hell of a lot more green space (and less impervious surface) to do other things with, yet keep the housing supply and tax base.

Duuuude don't you know NIMBYs don't believe in Citys....
Afterall Tampa is a small southern farmer town remember? (Sarcasm)
HAHAHAHAHAHAH. Nimbys are so stupid. Just another reason to make The H.C suck polliticaly. (Not to mention our corrupt school system)

jonknee · May 8th, 2007, 05:53 PM

I drove by the other day and there are already large sections of pre-cast going up. Three stories high in places. I'll try and snag some photos next time if anyone is interested.

Jasonhouse · May 8th, 2007, 07:36 PM

Not sure who edited the thread title, but whoever did, there is no such status as 'site prep' in the SSC definitions for project status... We only use Vision, Proposed, Approved, U/C and Completed. (VIS, PRO, APP, U/C, COM)

And yes, I know that these definitions are not yet publicly posted, which is because I'm still writing them.

And since we now have reports of wall portions going vertical, the project is definitely u/c, thus its status has changed.

jonknee · May 8th, 2007, 07:53 PM

It wasn't me who changed the thread title. But good to know the official terms.

FloridaFuture · July 2nd, 2007, 03:30 AM

Construction update as of today: As you can see the first phase is a parking garage, which is what I expected. After all, where would've Bern's patrons had their cars parked if the whole lot was U/C at the same time?

randommichael · July 2nd, 2007, 03:31 AM

^ Thanks for the update. I have driven by there a few times and wondered if this was the Epicurean project or not.

April 30th, 2007, 06:20 PM	#1
jonknee Downtown resident Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tampa Posts: 2,285 Likes (Received): 0	TAMPA \| The Epicurean Hotel (by Bern's) \| 5 stories \| 145 Rooms \| U/C Info is about about The Epicurean, a condo hotel from and across from Bern's. The Bern's people usually do good stuff. The wine fest yesterday where this was presented was completely sold out well in advance ($100 a head and probably 700+ in total). It doesn't look like too much was revealed, but I only made an after party and not the actual wine fest so maybe it is just the reporting. It looks like there will be some condo units, though it's not clear if they are part of the 75 room count or not. http://www.sptimes.com/2007/04/30/Ta..._for_you.shtml A hotel built for your palate For now, it's a dusty construction lot on S Howard Avenue. But by the end of 2008, it'll be The Epicurean Hotel, a 75-room boutique hotel that will include a rooftop pool and bar, a spa and a parking garage. On Sunday, Bern's Steak House owner David Laxer unveiled plans for the luxury condominium hotel project four years in the making that his family will open across the street from their restaurant. With a focus on food, the hotel will feature upscale wine and cooking demonstrations, classes and wine tastings at the Bern Laxer School of Food and Wine. It will also feature a new 18, 000-square-foot signature restaurant that will serve hotel and local guests from breakfast into the late night. Chef partner Jeannie Pierola didn't reveal a lot about the restaurant, except to say it will have a very different approach. Bern's Fine Wine and Spirits, now located down the street from the steak house, will expand into a new 9, 000 square foot location in the hotel that will house guest wine lockers and storage. "I don't think there's anything in the country like this, " Laxer said. Alexandra Zayas can be reached at zayas@sptimes.com or 813 226-3354. Update: the Tampa Bay Business Journal had more information: Urban Studio Architects, Smith & Associates Real Estate and Coral Hospitality are working with Bern's on the new property. Urban Studio Architects provided design services, and Smith & Associates is responsible for selling the suites. Coral Hospitality is providing technical services and consulting during the pre-opening stages and then will provide hotel management services after the opening, scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2008. The hotel will house a restaurant and an expanded Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits shop that includes wine storage for guests. Suite will have between 365 and 800 square feet and will be priced in the mid-$200,000s. Amenities include 24-hour room service, wireless Internet service, flat-screen satellite television, bar service at the rooftop pool, workout facilities, full-service day spa and business meeting space. Additionally, guests may attend educational seminars in a culinary and wine classroom. Last edited by TampaMike; February 25th, 2012 at 04:09 AM.

April 30th, 2007, 08:15 PM	#2
smiley Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 4,097 Likes (Received): 0	Well, that's nicer than the parking lot __________________ Do I contradict myself? Well then, I contradict myself. I am large. I contain multitudes. I don't pretend 'cause I don't care.

May 2nd, 2007, 01:37 AM	#11
smiley Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 4,097 Likes (Received): 0	Jasonhouse, IF this project retained the features discussed in the approval process - it has an arcade across the front AS for height, while I am generally with you, I can see why the people don't want the hotel looking into their backyards - that is why they should build at bayshore . . . __________________ Do I contradict myself? Well then, I contradict myself. I am large. I contain multitudes. I don't pretend 'cause I don't care.

May 2nd, 2007, 04:11 AM	#14
smiley Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 4,097 Likes (Received): 0	Well certainly the grass is nice, but a wide sidewalk with good awnings (and some trees) would be nicer. We will just have to see. The impression I had from the hearing was it was wide, but it may not be __________________ Do I contradict myself? Well then, I contradict myself. I am large. I contain multitudes. I don't pretend 'cause I don't care.

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April 30th, 2007, 09:40 PM	#3
FLHawk Channelside Pioneer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Tampa Posts: 603 Likes (Received): 0	Wouldn't it be nice if the Berns team took this opportunity to also "spruce up" the exterior of their flagship restaurant across the street with some decent landscaping, signage, etc. I know people love this venerable institution for its reputation, its history, the service, and of course the steaks, but quite frankly it looks like s**t from the street.

April 30th, 2007, 10:34 PM	#4
jonknee Downtown resident Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tampa Posts: 2,285 Likes (Received): 0	^ Depending on your taste it also looks like s**t in the inside. SideBern's has a much nicer style in my opinion.

May 1st, 2007, 12:20 AM	#5
JBrisco USF Architecture Student Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tampa, FLA Posts: 1,525 Likes (Received): 0	I like this exterior it is rather nice. Although, it's the inside that counts.... right? HAHA.....

May 1st, 2007, 02:05 AM	#6
FloridaFuture Former Mod Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tampa/Gainesville Posts: 5,234 Likes (Received): 0	Bern's interior is an authentic classic European collecton and may never be changed in style. The condotel proejct looks alright, a little bland sort of like the exterior of Bern's. Here's another rendering from the website:

May 1st, 2007, 02:19 AM	#7
Maxim98 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA / London, UK Posts: 1,244 Likes (Received): 0	Really nice filler.

May 1st, 2007, 05:47 PM	#8
randommichael Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,414 Likes (Received): 0	I like it and we need more projects like this in South Tampa. Increasing density in the area is a good thing.

May 2nd, 2007, 12:48 AM	#9
Jasonhouse Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 12,272 Likes (Received): 8	I have created a thread for this project... Which I love, especially for ridding the streetscape of that hideous parking lot. Hopefully, this will help draw the eye away from the Selmon Expy underpass and Bern's itself, neither of which are much to look at... Which reminds me... I'm not quite sure I understand why the overpasses through the hood near Ybor look so ritzy, but an overpass over a road lined with properties paying millions (literally) in taxes every year can't have its overpass even get a good pressure washing and paint job... On another tack... I think it's really great to see substantive densification occurring in this district, though two trends continue to just eat away at me... 1... Why do developers continue to offer lip service about creating a 'pedestrian friendly environment', yet they never bother to actually offer any kind of protection for pedestrians from the sun or rain... No awnings, no overhangs, no trellis', sunshades or anything else. Nah, let's design a project so that peds get to bake in the sun, surrounded by road, sidewalk and building, all of which are a crispy 150+ degrees. 2... What exactly is it with nimbys demanding the city approve squatty, hulking slabs like this which kill all green space? What exactly do they think this solution gets them 30 years from now, when another 50 projects like this have been built, and half of the streets across central Tampa become 50-80ft stucco canyons? Build a little bit taller, and you can have a whole hell of a lot more green space (and less impervious surface) to do other things with, yet keep the housing supply and tax base.

May 2nd, 2007, 01:15 AM	#10
tamparican Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa Posts: 112 Likes (Received): 0	IMO its def a good thing this project, I hope the interior looks better then the exterior, nothing special about it really, but I feel its a good addition to the city, I also like the idea of the local community creating a project like this, its something different and upscale which fits right in, in that area...

May 2nd, 2007, 02:42 AM	#12
Jasonhouse Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 12,272 Likes (Received): 8	^Perhaps it is deeper than I thought from the renderings above... It looked to me like it is largely cosmetic, with there only being like 3 feet from the back of a column to the storefront. If it's usable, then strike my rant as it relates to this project, as this would actually be an example of what I'm advocating.

May 2nd, 2007, 03:40 AM	#13
jonknee Downtown resident Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tampa Posts: 2,285 Likes (Received): 0	Jason's totally right about wondering why the overpasses in Hyde Park look so gross. Ybor's historic district status got it special treatment, but you think the sheer volume of property taxes coming from Hyde Park would get it done. I hope the Epicurean's interior is in a similar style to SideBern's. That's one of the sharper places in town (though I'm a sucker for a round bar).

May 8th, 2007, 05:53 PM	#16
jonknee Downtown resident Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tampa Posts: 2,285 Likes (Received): 0	I drove by the other day and there are already large sections of pre-cast going up. Three stories high in places. I'll try and snag some photos next time if anyone is interested.

May 8th, 2007, 07:36 PM	#17
Jasonhouse Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 12,272 Likes (Received): 8	Not sure who edited the thread title, but whoever did, there is no such status as 'site prep' in the SSC definitions for project status... We only use Vision, Proposed, Approved, U/C and Completed. (VIS, PRO, APP, U/C, COM) And yes, I know that these definitions are not yet publicly posted, which is because I'm still writing them. And since we now have reports of wall portions going vertical, the project is definitely u/c, thus its status has changed.

May 8th, 2007, 07:53 PM	#18
jonknee Downtown resident Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tampa Posts: 2,285 Likes (Received): 0	It wasn't me who changed the thread title. But good to know the official terms.

July 2nd, 2007, 03:30 AM	#19
FloridaFuture Former Mod Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tampa/Gainesville Posts: 5,234 Likes (Received): 0	Construction update as of today: As you can see the first phase is a parking garage, which is what I expected. After all, where would've Bern's patrons had their cars parked if the whole lot was U/C at the same time?

July 2nd, 2007, 03:31 AM	#20
randommichael Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,414 Likes (Received): 0	^ Thanks for the update. I have driven by there a few times and wondered if this was the Epicurean project or not.