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Owner Putting 'Grand' Back In Tampa Floridan Hotel

Tribune photo by KATHY MOORE

The Floridan was built in 1920s, but the building has fallen into disrepair over the years.

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By CHIP OSOWSKI | News Channel 8

Published: October 10, 2008

TAMPA - The Floridan Hotel once was a grand place, a temporary home for celebrities including Gary Cooper and Elvis Presley. But it's been empty for almost three decades.

Now, restoration work is under way at the downtown building, and a man who has felt like a part of the place since its beginnings is welcoming the changes.

"This is a beautiful place, beautiful, and it's all solid," said Gus Arenciba, who recently toured the work being done on the building.

"They had a portable bar right here," said Arenciba, 94, as he walked through the building where he worked as a bartender from to 1942 to 1961. "A beer was 36 cents -- 35 cents and a penny tax for a bottle of beer -- and our highest price drink was one dollar."

The Floridan was built in 1920s. Through the years, Arenciba has seen the 19-story building fall into disrepair. Now, new owner Antonios Markopoulos has taken on the job of restoring the 19-story building, and workers are on the job. No opening date has been set, other than some time this spring.

"It's going to look prettier than it was," Arenciba said. "They're doing some job."

There's a lot to be done.

Rain has poured through holes and windows for years, and homeless people have taken up residence.

The biggest challenge is installing air conditioning, "fitting the ductwork in, especially in very intricate places, including some of the more beautiful ceilings," said hotel spokeswoman Lisa Shasteen.

Part of the challenge is restoration that's in keeping with the building's architecture, Shasteen said.

The attention to detail has included matching intricate wrought iron railings on staircases. Another feature is marble in the lobby.

The owner wouldn't let News Channel 8 record images of the ornate ceilings because he wants to leave some surprises for people at the grand opening.

Arenciba got to see it, though. He said he's happy he's alive to see the rebirth of the Floridan.

"Most of the people that used to work here, they're gone," he said. "They're pushing daisies."

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