Plans call for the Oliva Tobacco
Company building, Ybor’s last remaining wooden cigar factory, to be converted
into studio and one-bedroom apartments.
A few years from now, 2016 may be
remembered as the time multi-unit housing was re-established in the Historic
District north of 7th Avenue.
Since the opening of The Quarter
apartments and condominiums nearly 15 years ago, most new housing has been
developed south of 7th. But with the announced renovation of the Oliva Tobacco
Company factory, the planned construction of the Marti project and the
Urban Apartments on 12th Avenue, it appears that trend is being reversed.
The Oliva building, built in the
late 1800s and the District’s last wooden cigar factory, is located at the
corner of Palm Avenue and Angel Oliva Sr. Street. Plans call for it to be
converted into about 38 studio and one-bedroom apartments, each featuring
13-foot ceilings.
The Marti, scheduled to be built
at the northeast corner of Nick Nuccio Boulevard and 7th Avenue, will include a
four-story building with 100 apartments, in addition to retail space and an
underground parking garage.
Behind both projects are partners
Ariel Quintela and Darryl Shaw. They say reflecting Ybor’s history and heritage
is an important part of their plans.
Of the Oliva restoration,
Quintela told Bay News 9 last year, “What we want is the feel and look of an
old cigar factory, but yet with the modern convenience of nice apartments.”
Links to the past also will be
part of the Marti, which will feature wrought-iron railed balconies and exposed
brick walls.
The coming months likely will
have more announcements about Ybor’s housing situation as demand for
residential units continues to be high. The Ybor City Development Corporation
(YCDC) is tracking new projects and has a development map that can be accessed
via the City of Tampa website, TampaGov.net/YCDC.
