Marcus Chen
Tampa, the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Florida, has a thriving art scene, with dozens of photo-worthy murals across the city. The city's buildings also have a rich history, with some dating back over a hundred years. One of the oldest buildings in downtown Tampa is the Hotel Arno, which was erected in 1895. In recent years, there has been a push to preserve the city's historic buildings, with some designated as local historic landmarks. At the same time, Tampa is undergoing a construction boom, with several new high-rises and skyscrapers being built. The city also has a number of buildings that have been painted, either through commissioned mural projects or controversial paint jobs, such as the exterior of the Santaella Cigar Factory, which was painted white, causing concern among historic preservationists.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Buildings in Tampa with painted murals | Robertson Billiard Supplies building, Tampa Municipal Office Building, Macfarlane Park Racquetball courts, Cuscaden Park, pumping station at Sulphur Springs, Tampa Morning Tribune, Santaella Cigar Factory, multiple other buildings |
| Themes of the painted murals | History of Tampa, nature, animals, culture, people, politics, social issues, etc. |
| Artists | Allen Leper Hampton, John Gurbacs, Edgar Sanchez Cumbas, Jay Giroux, Holland King, Illsol, Jerry Cahill, and others |
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What You'll Learn
Tampa's mural culture
Tampa is a city rich in mural culture, with dozens of photo-worthy artworks adorning its buildings. The city's mural movement is driven by a desire to celebrate Tampa's history and diversity, and to revitalise its neighbourhoods with colour and creativity.
One notable example is the "Cuscaden, Past, Present and Future" mural, located in Cuscaden Park. Created by artist Allen Leper Hampton, the mural depicts the historical importance of the park, featuring bright flowers, portraiture of community members, and historic images of the park and its pool. Another mural, titled "Tampa Welcome," serves as a colourful gateway for motorists entering downtown Tampa. Designed by Tes One, it features a 3-dimensional element and showcases the aspects and struggles of the "American Journey," including the immigrant experience and the fight for equality.
The city's pumping station at Sulphur Springs is also wrapped in a vibrant mural by artist John Gurbacs. The artwork features indigenous birds, plants, and animals, reflecting the natural beauty of the nearby Hillsborough River. Additionally, the Robertson Billiard Supplies building in Tampa Heights boasts a collection of murals, including an Incredible Hulk hand, colourful animals, and vibrant geometric shapes.
While Tampa embraces its mural culture, there have been instances where paint has caused controversy. In 2019, the owners of the historic Santaella Cigar Factory in West Tampa painted the exterior's yellow bricks white, sparking outrage from preservationists. The paint covered the brick's pores, preventing moisture release and potentially causing deterioration over time. This example highlights the delicate balance between preserving historical integrity and embracing artistic expression through murals.
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The city's tallest buildings
The city of Tampa, Florida, has seen a large number of its high-rise buildings painted with colourful murals. The city has also seen a recent boom in skyscraper construction, with 16 of its 18 tallest buildings completed during this period.
The tallest building in Tampa is 100 North Tampa, a 42-story structure that rises 579 feet (176 m) and was completed in 1992. The second-tallest is the Bank of America Plaza, which rises 42 stories and 577 feet (176 m). The city's first skyscraper to surpass 250 feet (76 m) was the Franklin Exchange Building, completed in 1966, with a height of 280 feet (85 m). The Tampa EDITION Hotel & Residences, completed in 2022, is the fourteenth-tallest building in the city, at 319 feet (97 m).
The city's history of skyscrapers began with the Citizens Bank Building, completed in 1913 and rising 10 stories. Two more stories were added in the 1920s, bringing it to a height of 145 feet (44 m). During the 1920s, the Tampa Tribune building on the 500 block of N. Tampa Street was hailed as "one of Tampa's biggest assets" and an architectural achievement. The Tampa Tribune's former headquarters on Parker Street was razed and replaced with apartments, and another of its early homes on N. Tampa Street is set to be demolished for the construction of condos.
Tampa is also home to several colourful murals that adorn the city's buildings. The "Tampa Welcome" mural by Tes One features a 3-dimensional design with painted aluminium. The Robertson Billiard Supplies building is decorated with murals, including one of a Hulk hand and another with black and white flowers. The Story of Tampa, a 4' x 8' oil on Masonite mural, can be found in the lobby of the Tampa Municipal Office Building. The city also has a postcard mural known as the Ganesh mural (or the Sloane Street Capital mural), painted by Holland King.
The exterior of the historic Santaella Cigar Factory, built in 1904, was controversially painted with white paint in 2019, sparking concerns about the potential damage to the structure and its historic integrity. The city chose not to intervene, leaving the designation of local historic landmark status to the property owner.
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Historic buildings being razed
In Tampa, there have been several instances of historic buildings being razed or painted, sparking debates between preservationists and property owners. One notable case involves the Tampa Tribune buildings. The Tampa Tribune's final home on Parker Street was razed and replaced with apartments after the newspaper was sold to the Tampa Bay Times. Additionally, two other century-old buildings linked to the Tampa Tribune, located at 514 N. Tampa St. and 520 N. Tampa St., faced the risk of being razed by the Kolter Group to make way for condos. These buildings had historical significance, with one being the former Hotel Arno, established in 1895, and the other designed by renowned architects Bonfoey and Elliott.
Another incident involves the West Tampa Santaella Cigar Factory, built in 1904. In 2019, the owners painted the exterior's yellow bricks white, sparking outrage from preservationists who argued that it would ruin the factory's historic integrity. The city chose not to intervene, leaving the decision to the property owner. The current owners plan to remove the white paint and refurbish the building while preserving its historical value.
The Tampa Bay Times building and the Tampa Heights building are also mentioned in relation to potential razing or preservation efforts. While the former faced the threat of demolition by its owners, the latter faced the wrecking ball, with the community advocating for its preservation as a historic site.
The fate of these buildings highlights the tension between preserving Tampa's historical architecture and the desires of property owners to redevelop or modernize their structures. While some buildings have been lost, preservationists and residents continue to advocate for the protection of Tampa's historical landmarks, recognizing their cultural and architectural significance.
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Cigar factories painted
Cigar factories have been a significant part of Tampa's history, with the city earning the nickname
One of these remaining factories is the Santaella Cigar Factory in West Tampa, built in 1904. In 2019, the owners of the factory decided to paint the exterior's yellow bricks white, angering historic preservationists who were concerned about the factory's historic integrity. The city council discussed whether to intervene and force a local historic landmark designation on the building, which would prevent the exterior from being altered. Ultimately, they decided not to, leaving the decision to the property owner.
The new owners of the Santaella Cigar Factory plan to restore its original appearance by removing the white paint, which could damage the structure by covering the pores of the bricks and preventing moisture release, leading to deterioration. They intend to refurbish the building while preserving its historic significance. The factory will feature a distillery, restaurant, wedding and event venue, a garden courtyard, and a rooftop bar. The second and third floors will continue to house artist lofts.
The J.C. Newman Cigar Company is another notable example of a historic cigar factory in Tampa. It is the sole surviving cigar producer in the city and is located in its original factory in Ybor City, where it has been operating for over a century. The company plans to open a museum and hand-rolling gallery, showcasing the history of cigar-making in the region.
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Tampa Morning Tribune
The Tampa Morning Tribune, once housed in a building on Tampa Street, no longer stands. The building, which was purchased by the Kolter Group, is set to be demolished and replaced with condos. Part of the building's history is painted on its side—a fading advertisement for the Tampa Morning Tribune, which historians refer to as a "ghost sign".
While the Tribune building is no longer standing, the city of Tampa boasts a plethora of colourful murals that adorn its buildings. The city's Art Programs Division collaborates with artists to create vibrant artworks that bring the city to life. One notable mural is the "Tampa Welcome" installation by Tes One, which serves as a gateway for motorists entering downtown Tampa. The mural, which features a 3-dimensional design, showcases the aspects and struggles of the "American Journey", including the immigrant experience and the fight for equality.
Another mural, titled "Cuscaden, Past, Present and Future", was created by artist Allen Leper Hampton at Cuscaden Park. The artwork coincides with the building of a playground and depicts historic images of the park, bright flowers, and portraits of individuals from the neighbourhood. Additionally, the Robertson Billiard Supplies building is adorned with murals, including an Incredible Hulk hand and colourful animals.
Tampa is also home to several notable skyscrapers, including the Citizens Bank Building, completed in 1913 and considered the city's first high-rise. The city has experienced a construction boom, with 16 of its 18 tallest buildings completed since 1981. The tallest building in Tampa is currently the 42-story 100 North Tampa, rising 579 feet.
While the Tampa Morning Tribune building may be gone, the city continues to evolve and transform, with new developments and artistic endeavours shaping its landscape.
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Frequently asked questions
Tampa is home to dozens of photo-worthy murals. Some of the most famous ones include the "Cuscaden, Past, Present and Future" mural by Allen Leper Hampton, the "Kaleidoscope: Heritage of Color" mural by Edgar Sanchez Cumbas and Guillermo Portieles, and the "Welcome Tampa" installation by Tes One.
Some of the tallest buildings in Tampa include the 100 North Tampa, the Bank of America Plaza, the Tampa EDITION Hotel & Residences, and the Tampa Marriott Water Street.
Yes, there are several buildings in Tampa that are historically significant. For example, the Hotel Arno, which was erected in 1895 and served as the headquarters of the Tampa Tribune from 1905 to 1924, is one of the oldest buildings in downtown Tampa. Additionally, the Tampa Tribune's former home on Parker Street and the century-old building at 514 N. Tampa St. are also historically significant.
