Historic Restoration in Tampa

We serve all of Tampa's designated historic districts including Ybor City National Historic Landmark District (Florida's only National Historic Landmark District), Hyde Park Historic District, Seminole Heights Historic District, Tampa Heights Historic District, and West Tampa Historic District. Each district has specific preservation standards, and we have extensive experience navigating the Tampa Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) and Barrio Latino Commission requirements.

The Barrio Latino Commission is a design review board that oversees all construction, alterations, and demolition within Ybor City's National Historic Landmark District. Any exterior changes to contributing structures require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from the Commission before work can begin. We have completed multiple projects in Ybor City including the Italian American Club restoration ($1.2M), the Wotjowicz House, and the Ferraro House, giving us deep expertise in navigating this approval process.

The Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) process involves submitting an application to Tampa's Historic Preservation Commission or, for Ybor City properties, the Barrio Latino Commission. Applications require detailed plans, material specifications, and historic documentation. Minor projects may receive staff-level approval, while major work requires full board review at monthly meetings. FCS prepares comprehensive COA applications and presents projects to the boards, leveraging our established relationships with commission staff.

Yes, qualifying Tampa projects may be eligible for the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit (20% for income-producing properties), Florida's ad valorem tax exemption for historic properties, and local incentives. Buildings must be listed on the National Register of Historic Places (individually or as contributing structures in a historic district), and work must meet Secretary of Interior Standards. We coordinate the SHPO Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 application process to ensure your project qualifies.

Ybor City's cigar factories represent some of Tampa's most architecturally significant structures. Built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, these buildings feature distinctive brick construction, Mediterranean-influenced details, iron balconies, and large interior spaces designed for cigar manufacturing. Restoring these buildings requires specialized knowledge of historic masonry, iron work restoration, and adaptive reuse strategies that preserve character-defining features while meeting modern building codes.

Period-accurate material sourcing is critical for historic restoration. We maintain relationships with specialty suppliers, architectural salvage dealers, and craftspeople who can fabricate custom reproductions. For Tampa projects, this includes matching historic mortar formulations, sourcing compatible brick, replicating terra cotta details, restoring or replicating iron balcony work, and matching historic millwork profiles. Our material sourcing expertise is detailed on our period-accurate material sourcing page.

Historic restoration in Tampa typically ranges from $200-400+ per square foot for full building restoration, $50-150 per square foot for facade restoration, and $150-300 per square foot for interior historic restoration. Costs vary based on building condition, level of deterioration, preservation requirements, and whether the project pursues tax credits. The federal Historic Tax Credit (20%) can substantially offset costs for income-producing properties. We provide detailed budgeting during pre-construction.

Timeline depends on project scope and approval requirements. Typical ranges: facade restoration 3-8 months, full building restoration 12-24 months, complex adaptive reuse 18-36 months. Additional time is needed for COA approvals (1-2 months), SHPO review for tax credit projects (4-6 months for Part 2 approval), and sourcing period materials. For Ybor City projects, the Barrio Latino Commission review adds time but is essential for maintaining the district's National Historic Landmark status.

Yes, successful historic restoration often involves sensitively integrating modern systems—HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, accessibility, and technology—while preserving character-defining features. The key is designing these updates to be minimally invasive and, where possible, reversible. We route mechanical systems through historically less significant spaces, conceal modern technology behind period-appropriate covers, and design accessibility improvements that respect historic character.

Our Ybor City portfolio includes major restoration projects such as the Italian American Club ($1.2M complete interior and exterior restoration), the Lion's Eye Institute (National Historic Register property), and ground-up new construction within the Barrio Latino district including the Wotjowicz House and Ferraro House. We've also completed work at Plant High School ($525K tuckpointing and brick restoration). These projects demonstrate our expertise in both restoration and sensitive new construction within Tampa's most significant historic district.