NiniaPimp Magazine

It is our understanding that this is what the “Centro” area of Ybor used to look like. Ybor is the historic cigar district of Tampa, FL. This box factory sat where the current Jimmy Johns is.

The 1600 block contains several of Ybor City’s older structures: The (9) BALDOMERO F. MARCOS BUILDING (1912), 1610 7th Avenue, designed by Kenneth Kennard, featured the area’s first light well system. Across the street at 1602 7th Avenue is the (10) GAVINO GUTIERREZ BUILDING (1904), built by the Spanish-born engineer who convinced Vicente Martinez Ybor to bring the cigar industry to Tampa from Key West. The Dixie Hotel was once upstairs and Buffalo Bill’s cousin ran the Pathe Theater downstairs.

The German Burgert Brothers were early Florida photographers. It is our understanding that they had some 80,000 photo negatives in archive, of which 40,000 survived and made it to University of South Florida’s photo archives. http://guides.lib.usf.edu/content.php?pid=86148&sid=640824&doi=B29-00031141#doi=B29-00031141

Many early Tampa and Ybor photos are credited to these fantastic brothers.  The photo below was taken in 1917 in Ybor city at their old studio.

Check out other Tampa pictures here:  http://www.lamartin.com/aspx/Burgert/TampaPhotos.aspx

This 3-story flat-roofed brick factory was built for Garcia and Co. (1895-99) in 1895. Dentil moulding and brackets occur at the cornice. A flat-roofed porch, supported by fluted columns, projects at the main entrance, in the third, projecting, bay of five, on the east side. The steps are of metal grating. A low brick wall and plain cast-iron fence surround the property. The Arturo Fuente Factory serves as a cigar warehouse.

L’Unione Italiana (Italian Club) (1731E. 7th Aye.)
Ybor City’s Italians formed L’Unione Italiana in 1894. The club erected the present 3-1/2-story Neoclassical building, which it still occupies, on the southwest corner of 7th Avenue and 18th Street, in 1918.

The exterior walls are constructed of red brick and rest on a rusticated stone foundation over a partially raised full basement. Along its front (north) facade the edifice features four huge Roman Doric columns which mark the main entrance and culminate in a full entablature and cornice capped by a triangular pediment. On the east side the building has six similar columns which provide a sense of underpinning. Multipaned mullion windows are generally used throughout and are set in rectangular surrounds except on the third story where arched ones are utilized. The building is crowned with a half-story flat-roofed penthouse featuring eyebrow windows with decorative metal grills. The canteen, recreation room, theater, and ballroom are notable rooms. L’Unione Italiana’s overall condition is good, and it is undergoing restoration.

Adolph Katz Dry Goods (1724-1726 E. 7th Avenue)
The Katz Dry Goods store was erected about 1924 as office space for the Italian Club. The balcony on this 2-story brick edifice, unlike many other originals, is entirely of cast iron, rests on sturdier posts, and is not covered with the familiar galvanized metal roof so typical of Ybor City.

The building has a stepped parapet. The storefronts have been altered.

Juan Boamonde’s Furniture (1718-1720 E. 7th Avenue)
Built about 1910, this 3-story building is impressive because of its relative height and because it is one of the few buildings in the area to retain its original cast iron storefront elements, including posts. Tile also appears on the first floor. The upper stories are relatively unaltered.

Decorative brickwork adorns the facade and a stepped brick parapet appears at the roofline.

Cohen Building (1712-1714 E. 7th Avenue)

A 1-story concrete block building, faced with stucco and inset decorative tile, erected about 1920, the Cohen Building retains most original elements. A stepped pointed parapet with tile appears at the roofline. The structure has had a variety of tenants. It was occupied by Arnold’s Art Center.

Currently:  http://bluedeviltattoo.com/
May have been the previous home of Arnold Martinez art studio, who now has moved:  http://visitsouth.com/articles/article/arnold-martinez-art-gallery-tampa-fl/

Building Description:
Attractive, spacious, well designed single story building with two adjoining apartments; kitchen, bath, closet and sleeping loft. Includes workshop and fenced outdoor courtyard presently used for parking. Opportunity to develop additional floors. In 1990, the interior of building was extensively renovated with all new electrical, mechanical, plumbing, insulation and drywall throughout. In 2004, the façade was renovated with new clerestory windows and store front doors. Brochure with complete info available.