Ybor City (Tampa: rent, houses, theater)

[deebin]

I have been visiting Tampa for the past 30+ years and I think that Ybor City has been in revitalization mode for that whole time. I was there recently and Ybor seems to be about a mere 4 blocks of stores. I don't know but...is it my imagination that Ybor has been trying to transform itself over many years and has never fully gotten there? Will it ever?

[Keeper]

You are right it did start 30 years and has been slow going. I knew several ppl who started it back in 83/84, fixing up different buildings. Then it stopped for a long while. I don't know that it will ever be more than a few blocks since that is the Ybor city area. Once you go further north it becomes Tampa Heights.

[gypsychic]

Ybor City is very small, it will never be more than it is but it is most certainly a lot more than 4 blocks, but you are probably just referring to the main 4 blocks.

I was born and raised in Tampa, my dad worked in Ybor City in the 50s and 60s when it was in it's first incarnation as almost a separate city. It became a Bohemian hangout in the 1980s, the old run-down buildings offered cheap rent to artists, crafters, coffee houses and antique shops. Started taking off in the 90s when it really got revitalized but became expensive, parking issues, drove people off, Centro ybor was a failure. These days it has morphed into a kind of combination biker-goth nightclub district alongside some eateries and upscale stores.

It's a shame, I would have liked it to continue in the Bohemian vein, but it was not to be. I appreciate the old architecture but don't have much desire to go there for anything anymore.

[ferret111]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Ybor City is very small, it will never be more than it is but it is most certainly a lot more than 4 blocks, but you are probably just referring to the main 4 blocks.

I was born and raised in Tampa, my dad worked in Ybor City in the 50s and 60s when it was in it's first incarnation as almost a separate city. It became a Bohemian hangout in the 1980s, the old run-down buildings offered cheap rent to artists, crafters, coffee houses and antique shops. Started taking off in the 90s when it really got revitalized but became expensive, parking issues, drove people off, Centro ybor was a failure. These days it has morphed into a kind of combination biker-goth nightclub district alongside some eateries and upscale stores.

It's a shame, I would have liked it to continue in the Bohemian vein, but it was not to be. I appreciate the old architecture but don't have much desire to go there for anything anymore.

It's always been an interesting place, that's for sure. I'm not sure where it's headed, but I always have a fun time walking around there during the day and during the night (it's a great place to people-watch). I will say one thing, though, and that is that I'm glad it hasn't been turned into a family-friendly area with places like Bubba Gump's and Outback.

[IAm_FloridaBorn]

Interesting. I Always liked this place when I went. it's scary at night though

[Keeper]

It has a long history even tunnels under stores on 7th. I agree I would have liked to see it more Bohemian . My DH worked on demolishing some old apts above stores and fixing up the theater back in the 80s.

There is an interesting book Cigar City Mafia by Scott Deitche.