TAMPA | The Epicurean Hotel (by Bern's) | 5 stories | 145 Rooms | U/C - Page 4

DShenise · March 2nd, 2009, 10:51 PM

They should have to come up with some form of landscape plan for that lot. Its been "temporary" for too long. I don't know if they can force them to do anything with the original lot, put it too could use a facelift. Its not like landscaping was a huge expense anyway. When you consider that they only need probably ~30 - 10" caliper trees and then $5K in shrubs, its not like they would be seriously put out.

tampasteve · March 3rd, 2009, 03:54 PM

Indeed. However, the place was a empty ugly lot before there was a garage on top of it, so if anything is going to happen it would have to be a forced plan by the city.

Steve

DShenise · March 3rd, 2009, 10:56 PM

At least the owners of the Bella's plaza got their revised plan for the parking lot done.

Or how about this, give it a couple years and if it still looks like a longshot, the Epicurian that is, why not build a smaller building and relocate Sidebern's there? This would then free up the current location for another business and give Sidebern's the parking it needs.

Casey · February 24th, 2012, 03:32 PM

Epicurean Hotel (finally) coming to Bern’s
Tampa Bay Business Journal by Mark Holan, Staff Writer
Date: Friday, February 24, 2012, 6:00am EST - Last Modified: Thursday, February 23, 2012, 3:43pm EST

Courtesy of Beck Group

TAMPA — A boutique hotel that would cater to well-heeled foodies is back on the front burner at Bern’s Steak House* * after a four-year delay.
The 145-room Epicurean Hotel will begin construction by May across from the Howard Avenue restaurant, according to Bern’s owner David Laxer and Joe C. Collier III, president of Mainsail Lodging and Development, which will oversee the project.
Restarting the hotel is a vote of confidence for the Tampa economy and means hundreds of near-term construction jobs and about 100 permanent positions once the hotel opens in 2013.
http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/...coming-to.html

jamesk · February 24th, 2012, 03:57 PM

Wowww! I never thought this day would come.

Jasonhouse · February 24th, 2012, 04:03 PM

The timing is even more surprising. Must be getting a hell of a deal from the GC.

jonknee · February 24th, 2012, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasonhouse

The timing is even more surprising. Must be getting a hell of a deal from the GC.

Probably got a good rate on the financing too. In related news, Side Berns' chef was just nominated for a James Beard award.

ATampaArnold · February 24th, 2012, 07:55 PM

Excited. There is very few places to stay around Howard

Del Mayberry · February 24th, 2012, 09:46 PM

Could have been taller vs. long. At four floors there will not be much views from the rooms but at least it should almost completely hide the parking garage in the back. Would you agree this will be the Safety Harbor of Tampa?

Jasonhouse · February 24th, 2012, 10:05 PM

I'm slightly confused over how the room total doubled, but the building shrank.

Did they go from 400+ sqft suites to ~200sqft stanrd rooms or something?

Casey · February 24th, 2012, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasonhouse

I'm slightly confused over how the room total doubled, but the building shrank.

Did they go from 400+ sqft suites to ~200sqft stanrd rooms or something?

If memory serves, the original concept called for "condos" to be sold, with the owners having use part-time and the remainder of the time rented out as "hotel rooms". Just guessing here, but maybe the whole building will be hotel rooms now, hence the smaller size?

Jasonhouse · February 25th, 2012, 12:11 AM

^Good call. Says in the first article of this thread that it was planned as a condotel. I had forgotten about that.

jonknee · February 25th, 2012, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Del Mayberry

Could have been taller vs. long. At four floors there will not be much views from the rooms but at least it should almost completely hide the parking garage in the back. Would you agree this will be the Safety Harbor of Tampa?

I don't think they would get approval for much higher in that neighborhood.

TampaGuy · February 25th, 2012, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Del Mayberry

Would you agree this will be the Safety Harbor of Tampa?

What do you mean by this?

Jasonhouse · February 25th, 2012, 08:44 PM

I think he's comparing it to the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa?

Del Mayberry · February 25th, 2012, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasonhouse

I think he's comparing it to the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa?

Correct & I think the SH spa may not be as good as it used to be years ago (since it was sold) but I could be wrong.

FloridaFuture · March 14th, 2012, 06:06 AM

Sweet. This project always had a pretty decent design being sandwiched against the Crosstown and it still does.

From the above article.

Jasonhouse · March 14th, 2012, 08:30 PM

Looks nice. (and improved from the original design)

Garage is hidden (in the back no less!)... Fully covered/shaded sidewalk the length of the building... No blank walls facing the street... And there's even some ground level space for complimentary uses.

For Tampa, this is about as good a 'pedestrian freindly design' as we can hope for, given the existing zoning/codes and the mindset of city staff and leadership. Really, hats off to the Laxer family on this one.

SkyDiveJunkee · March 15th, 2012, 04:33 AM

Best Tampa development in recent memory. Really -- is this so hard?

TampaMike · March 15th, 2012, 05:08 AM

Looking at what we have seen in Tampa, clearly it is. It would be great for Tampa to build up and out SoHo again and that area. Boutique stores and clothing shops, art galleries, coffee shops and small eateries, and a mixture of housing and hotels.

March 2nd, 2009, 10:51 PM	#61
DShenise Designer, 1404designs Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Santa Monica Posts: 1,133 Likes (Received): 0	They should have to come up with some form of landscape plan for that lot. Its been "temporary" for too long. I don't know if they can force them to do anything with the original lot, put it too could use a facelift. Its not like landscaping was a huge expense anyway. When you consider that they only need probably ~30 - 10" caliper trees and then $5K in shrubs, its not like they would be seriously put out. __________________ "... holding your breath till you turn blue is not consistent with the judicial temperament" David Frum.

March 3rd, 2009, 03:54 PM	#62
tampasteve Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tampa Posts: 2,369 Likes (Received): 5	Indeed. However, the place was a empty ugly lot before there was a garage on top of it, so if anything is going to happen it would have to be a forced plan by the city. Steve __________________ Homer: Face it, Marge, Catholics rule! We got Boston, South America, the good part of Ireland, and we're makin' serious inroads in Mozambique, baby! "My badger's gonna unleash hell on your ass. Badgertastic!"

March 3rd, 2009, 10:56 PM	#63
DShenise Designer, 1404designs Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Santa Monica Posts: 1,133 Likes (Received): 0	At least the owners of the Bella's plaza got their revised plan for the parking lot done. Or how about this, give it a couple years and if it still looks like a longshot, the Epicurian that is, why not build a smaller building and relocate Sidebern's there? This would then free up the current location for another business and give Sidebern's the parking it needs. __________________ "... holding your breath till you turn blue is not consistent with the judicial temperament" David Frum.

March 15th, 2012, 05:08 AM	#80
TampaMike Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 6,154 Likes (Received): 7	Looking at what we have seen in Tampa, clearly it is. It would be great for Tampa to build up and out SoHo again and that area. Boutique stores and clothing shops, art galleries, coffee shops and small eateries, and a mixture of housing and hotels. __________________ Corporations Are People Too - Mitt Romney For the People that dress up like Corporations.

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February 24th, 2012, 03:32 PM	#64
Casey Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 322 Likes (Received): 0	Epicurean Hotel (finally) coming to Bern’s Tampa Bay Business Journal by Mark Holan, Staff Writer Date: Friday, February 24, 2012, 6:00am EST - Last Modified: Thursday, February 23, 2012, 3:43pm EST Courtesy of Beck Group TAMPA — A boutique hotel that would cater to well-heeled foodies is back on the front burner at Bern’s Steak House* * after a four-year delay. The 145-room Epicurean Hotel will begin construction by May across from the Howard Avenue restaurant, according to Bern’s owner David Laxer and Joe C. Collier III, president of Mainsail Lodging and Development, which will oversee the project. Restarting the hotel is a vote of confidence for the Tampa economy and means hundreds of near-term construction jobs and about 100 permanent positions once the hotel opens in 2013. http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/...coming-to.html

February 24th, 2012, 03:57 PM	#65
jamesk Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 160 Likes (Received): 0	Wowww! I never thought this day would come.

February 24th, 2012, 04:03 PM	#66
Jasonhouse Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 12,318 Likes (Received): 8	The timing is even more surprising. Must be getting a hell of a deal from the GC.

February 24th, 2012, 07:55 PM	#68
ATampaArnold Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tampa/Miami Posts: 360 Likes (Received): 1	Excited. There is very few places to stay around Howard

February 24th, 2012, 09:46 PM	#69
Del Mayberry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 514 Likes (Received): 0	Could have been taller vs. long. At four floors there will not be much views from the rooms but at least it should almost completely hide the parking garage in the back. Would you agree this will be the Safety Harbor of Tampa?

February 24th, 2012, 10:05 PM	#70
Jasonhouse Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 12,318 Likes (Received): 8	I'm slightly confused over how the room total doubled, but the building shrank. Did they go from 400+ sqft suites to ~200sqft stanrd rooms or something?

February 25th, 2012, 12:11 AM	#72
Jasonhouse Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 12,318 Likes (Received): 8	^Good call. Says in the first article of this thread that it was planned as a condotel. I had forgotten about that.

February 25th, 2012, 08:44 PM	#75
Jasonhouse Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 12,318 Likes (Received): 8	I think he's comparing it to the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa?

March 14th, 2012, 06:06 AM	#77
FloridaFuture Former Mod Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tampa/Gainesville Posts: 5,238 Likes (Received): 1	Sweet. This project always had a pretty decent design being sandwiched against the Crosstown and it still does. From the above article.

March 14th, 2012, 08:30 PM	#78
Jasonhouse Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 12,318 Likes (Received): 8	Looks nice. (and improved from the original design) Garage is hidden (in the back no less!)... Fully covered/shaded sidewalk the length of the building... No blank walls facing the street... And there's even some ground level space for complimentary uses. For Tampa, this is about as good a 'pedestrian freindly design' as we can hope for, given the existing zoning/codes and the mindset of city staff and leadership. Really, hats off to the Laxer family on this one.

March 15th, 2012, 04:33 AM	#79
SkyDiveJunkee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,501 Likes (Received): 10	Best Tampa development in recent memory. Really -- is this so hard?