The Tampa Bay Hotel

By Christina Rizzo

Do you remember the first time you saw Tampa’s most famous landmarks? I do, the first time I saw the dazzling silver minarets of the University of Tampa was when I took my first step on UT’s beautiful campus at my transfer student orientation. This grand Victorian/ Moorish masterpiece was what made me fall in love with the campus, something about it just made me say “WOW”. I couldn’t believe something so old and historical could still be so magnificent.

 

The Tampa Bay Hotel was built by Henry B. Plant in 1888. The construction cost over 3 million dollars. The hotel covers 6 acres of land and is a quarter-mile long. The first elevator to ever be built was in The Tampa Bay Hotel. The elevator still works today but people are not allowed to go into it just for their safety. The hotel’s rooms were the first in Florida to have electric lights and telephones. Most of the rooms in the hotel had private bathrooms, with a full-size tub. The prices of the rooms ranged from $5.00 to $15.00 a night at a time. The hotel included a golf course, bowling alley, racetrack, casino, and an indoor heated swimming pool.

 

The Moorish Revival theme was selected by Mr. Plant because of its exotic and beautiful appeal to all the Victorians who would be his primary customers. The hotel has six minarets, four cupolas, and three domes. In the 90’s each was restored to their stainless steel state. The hotel housed thousands of guests, including many celebrities. When the Spanish-American war Plant allowed his hotel to be the base of operations. Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders were at the hotel during the time of the war. Babe Ruth was also a major guest in the hotel; he signed his very first baseball contract in the Grand Dining Room. In 1919, Babe Ruth hit his longest homerun during a spring training game at Plant Filed.

 

The hotel closed in 1930 because of the Great Depression. It remained empty for three years until 1933, the Tampa Bay Junior College was allowed to move into the hotel and use the old hotel rooms as classrooms. The Tampa Municipal Museum was established by the city to preserve the hotel in its original form and co-exist with the university.

The Hotel today is now serving as classrooms and offices for The University of Tampa. The south wing of the building is dedicated to preserving the old memories of the hotel. Many of the rooms in the south wing display artifacts from the old hotel. During the holidays the museum is decorated with Christmas trees and beautiful lights. It is defiantly a must do during the holidays. Our interns who attend The University of Tampa go every year and rave about how beautifully everything is set up.

 

If you have time on the weekend, you must visit the old Tampa Bay Hotel. Everything about it is absolutely amazing; it is still in great shape and still holds its unique look. Prospera Realty downtown is walking distance to UT. If you’re looking to live in South Florida let Team Teresa Williams and Prospera Realty find your dream home.

 

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