[John F]

The historic Floridan Hotel in downtown Tampa (which is considered Tampa's first skyscraper) has been closed since 1987. Even when it was open, it was far past it's heyday from the 1930's through the mid to late 1950's.... There have been several attempts in the past two decades to retrofit the building or restore it in one way or another, but most every time those plans never got off the ground.

Well, that changed in 2005 when a local developer bought the Floridan Hotel and vowed to restore it to it's former glory. The following video aired on Tampa TV earlier this week regarding the Floridan and shows internal work in-progress on the building:

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EDIT 7-27-2008: Video working again.

[brickell]

great news
One of my favorites in Florida. I can't wait to get up there when it's done and see the inside in person.

[John F]

Related to the Florida -- there is a US post office that is next door to the Floridan on it's block. The developer who bought the Floridan and is restoring it has also purchased the location:

New post office site poses parking problems (http://www.sptimes.com/2007/07/13/Citytimes/New_post_office_site_.shtml)

By KEVIN GRAHAM
Published July 13, 2007

The post office is moving to a busy intersection ideal for walkup traffic, but burdensome for drivers who will have to park at least a block away.

Signs inside the U.S. Postal Service, at 925 N Florida Ave., say operations will cease at that location by the end of October. The new site will open at 401 N Ashley Drive, the former location of National Wall Art Gallery, near Kennedy Boulevard.

It's too soon to give an opening date for the new site, said postal spokesman Gary Sawtelle, but it will be later this year.

Clearwater developer Antonios Markopoulos, who is transforming the dilapidated Floridan Hotel, purchased the property that's home to the post office. His attorney, Lisa Shasteen, said he plans to use the lot to build a ballroom and for parking.

The post office's lease expires this month. Shasteen said the post office may remain there for several more weeks.

Markopoulos wants to complete construction on the Floridan by year's end, Shasteen said.

"It seems like we're on schedule," she said.

Not everyone is happy about the coming changes.

Some customers have complained that parking at the new location won't be as convenient, post office employees said. Meters surround the current site with parking in front of the entrance.

But there are no parking spaces immediately near the entrance to the new location. Customers would have to park a block north along W Kennedy Boulevard or on N Tampa Street, or park a block west along E Madison Street.

Sawtelle said the Ashley location should be more accessible to businesses in the heart of downtown.

"One of the things that's good about it is it's going to be extremely accessible to the office towers," Sawtelle said. "It's going to be a great walkup location."

Another downtown post office exists at 401 S Florida Ave., less than a mile from the Ashley site. Sawtelle said once the new location opens, postal officials will watch to see how business is affected at the S Florida Avenue location.

"They are going to co-exist, at least for the present time," he said.

Customers with post office boxes at the N Florida Avenue location will be notified in writing 30 days before the move takes place.

[John F]

You can't see much going on from the outsides:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1429/614382070_9dcb8e4c72_o.jpg

[Lakelander]

I'm glad to see this hotel survive through the dark decades to finally see a renovation plan move foward. Hopefully a few more of the historic structures in that section of downtown can find a chance at a second life before the wrecking ball comes knocking.

[John F]

Kress is a perfect example of that, Lakelander. I really want to see that building survive...

[Lakelander]

Yes, Kress is a prefect example. Its too bad more vision wasn't taken with the old Maas Brothers Building.

[John F]

Perfect example Lakelander. Now sits an empty lot where Maas once stood. I feel like it (Maas' destruction) is almost akin to the failed Bay Plaza vision of St. Petersburg in the early 1990's. It will take someone with daring, money and balls to try to do that block justice with a new project (as the Wood partners development is most likely dead. Though I would not be suprised if Novare / In-Town try to revive it).

[KB0679]

So the Floridan is going to be condos?

[John F]

So the Floridan is going to be condos?

No.

The Floridan was purchased in 2005 with the sole intention of restoration. The video (in the original post) shows the restoration ongoing. Best case timeline right now has the Floridan Hotel open for New Years Eve.

We brought up the Maas block in Tampa because the Maas brothers building was demolished for condos and now simply sits as a vacant lot (and a target for base jumpers :p ).

The Floridan will also be getting a new addition (parking, ballroom) as the building next door (Post office) was purchased with that intention. There has been no news on a timeline that addition will become a part of the Floridan structure.

[John F]

Major bump but a big "sign" the renovation is making major headway: The Floridan Hotel sign has been erected on the roof of the Hotel once again. No new info on opening dates has come up but several months ago (on SSC's Tampa forum) one of the forum regulars pointed out that it was goign to be eight months before water hookup to the building was to be approved.

Of course, there have been other obvious signs that there was work being done. You can view the Floridan on teh Skypoint Condo web came (Novare and OxBlue still have that up) and for the last few months, it's been obvious that exterior work has been done to the building. Cleaning of the exterior surfaces, window repair and replacement. But the re-erection of the sign is something that's been talked about for a while now and it's finally happened.

[John F]

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j199/trump74/IMG_0448-1.jpg (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=22283890&postcount=276)

Estimated grand opening is now set for sometime around late January/February 2009 (Super Bowl week).

[John F]

New newspiece on the Floridan:

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[Zodiac1]

Its good to see someone posted something about a city in Florida. Havent seen any representation of a FL city on the Southern Threads in a while.

[John F]

Everyone's over at SSC, so Florida doesn't get represented too much over here. SSC was having downtime a few weeks ago and I thought to resurrect this thread because of new news ongoing at the Floridan Hotel.

[shasteen]

:D Hi, Everyone!

This is Lisa Shasteen from The Floridan Hotel. I just discovered this forum and was really interested to see your input. Work is truly ongoing here. FYI, my bother, Jeb Barrett, made the replica ornate metal railings in the hotel lobby by hand. Soon you will see the new handmade windows wrapping the base of the hotel, thanks to one of our carpenters, Lovell. They're beautiful! As for an opening date, Tony won't let me promise anything yet. He says, "I like to sleep at night." haha. Thank you for all of your input. Feel free to contact me. Best regards, Lisa

[DallasTexan]

Hi Lisa, you guys are doing great work.

[shasteen]

Optimus, thanks for the encouragement. :cheers:

[preservationista]

Lisa,

I'm so happy that you and Mr. Markopoulos are restoring the Floridan. I'm sure you've heard this time and again, but the Floridan is my favorite building in Tampa. It's what inspired my interest in historic preservation, the field in which I built my career around. Having grown up in Brandon, the Floridan was in a sad state of deterioration for most of my life. I just felt that the building had so much to offer, especially as the last luxury hotel of its era left in Tampa. Although I don't live in Florida any longer, my parents (still living in Brandon) keep me posted on local news there. Hearing of the Floridan's rehabilitation has been truly amazing. Please keep up the great work you're doing! :)