New development in South Tampa's SoHo snares another restaurant
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Jul 13, 2016

The mixed-use building under construction on South Howard Avenue will include a tapas restaurant with a rooftop bar.

Franklin Street said Wednesday that it has signed Bulla Gastrobar to a 5,500-square-foot space at The Morrison at 936 S. Howard Ave., including the rooftop space and an 1,800-square-foot patio.

It is Miami-based Bulla's first location in the Tampa Bay region. Bulla's is a Spanish-inspired tapas restaurant.

Franklin Street Senior Director Brian Bern and Director Ryan Derriman represented landlord Metis Property Group in the transaction. Steve Friedman of Strategic Retail Advisors represented the tenant.

Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik is an investor in the development.

In May, Zoe's Kitchen confirmed that it would lease 2,800 square feet in The Morrison, which is scheduled to wrap up construction in early 2017. It includes nearly 14,000 square feet of retail space, about 7,000 square feet of office space and 46 residential units.

"This is a one-of-a-kind location in Tampa for Bulla,” Bern said in a statement. "The SoHo corridor and Hyde Park is one of Tampa's hottest communities with fantastic demographics to support mixed-use developments. It is particularly attractive to many restaurants and boutique retailers.”

Ashley Gurbal Kritzer is senior reporter for the Tampa Bay Business Journal.