Plans call for two-story lofts with a historic look on the outside and modern amenities within.
By MICHAEL CANNING
Published October 15, 2004
Box Factory Lofts may not have the sweetest ring as a name for a residential project, but it was too accurate to pass up. Miles Properties plans to convert a former cigar box factory in Ybor City into a loft complex.
Renovations to the former Tampa Box Co. factory - a sprawling 1905 building that takes up most of Second Avenue between 20th and 21st streets - will begin in February, said Jason Perry, Miles' manager of acquisitions and development.
Plans call for converting the 68,000-square-foot factory into 53 two-story lofts, ranging from 950 to 1,700 square feet. Although the developer will retain the building's historic look, the one- and two-bedroom units will feature modern amenities with concrete floors, granite counter tops, stainless-steel kitchen appliances and up to 20-foot-high ceilings, said project Realtor Dallas Coffield of Smith & Associates.
The building's open-air courtyard will become a landscaped pool area, and sections of the original roof will be raised 5 feet to add windows for additional interior light. A portion of the building will include enclosed parking.
Units should be ready for occupancy in December 2005, Perry said.
The Tampa Box Co. was once the world's largest manufacturer of cigar boxes. The factory, which is visible from Adamo Drive and the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway, produced cigar boxes until the 1960s, when it was converted into storage.
MIKE'S PIES HAS NEW HOME(S): Award-winning pie maker Mike Martin suddenly found himself in a bind in late July when plans to move his business from cramped quarters at 4004 S MacDill Ave. collapsed like a botched meringue.
It turned out that his proposed new site at 4318 S Manhattan Ave. was on the state's cleanup list for properties contaminated by dry cleaners, forcing Martin to look elsewhere for his production plant and coffee and pie shop.
Luckily for pie lovers, Martin has found places for his plant and shop. They're just not in the same spot, as he had originally planned.
Mike's Pies and Coffee Shop opened Monday at 3225 S MacDill Ave., in the Palma Ceia Village shopping center. His production plant is scheduled to open next week at 8420 Sunstate St., in the Sunstate Center industrial park off Waters Avenue.
The 1,600-square-foot coffee shop will serve Seattle's Best coffees and 30 types of Mike's Pies. It will also house a new side venture, Mike's Pies and Gifts, which will include Internet sales and gift baskets. That aspect of the business will be overseen by Martin's wife, Gayle Sierens, news anchor for WFLA-Ch. 8.
The new 11,500-square-foot production plant will give Martin and his co-workers more kitchen and storage space. With larger freezers and two loading docks, Martin says he hopes to significantly increase production.
While Martin is satisfied with his new digs, he admits that finding them was a stressful process. "This will be our last move for a while," he said.
Mike's Pies has won numerous blue ribbons at the American Pie Council National Championship in recent years.
NEW MEN'S STORE ALL BUSINESS: "If you need a pair of shorts or a polo shirt, I can't help you," admits Fitting Room owner Ken Stevens.
And it's hard to blame him, given the all-business address of his new haberdashery on the third floor of downtown's Bank of America tower.
Stevens opened two weeks ago at 101 E Kennedy Blvd. He sells all kinds of business attire, including suits, shirts, ties and shoes. He also carries tuxedos and dinner jackets, and what he describes as the "largest selection of ready-made suits of any store in Florida."
Speaking of labels, you'll find a lot of the usual suspects: H. Freeman, Haspel, H. Oritsky, Johnson and Murphy, Allen Edmonds.
There's always a tailor on duty, even for women who want to drop off items, Stevens said. Custom suits, shirts and tuxes can also be ordered.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Do you know something that should be everybody's business? Call 226-3382, or e-mail mikecanning@hotmail.com
