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The New Year Brings New Projects to Ybor City

Plans call for the Oliva Tobacco Company building, Ybor’s last remaining wooden cigar factory, to be converted into studio and one-bedroom apartments.

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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.