Former Colonnade restaurant building demolished to make room for condo tower
By Justin Griffin
Tampa Bay Times
Published: Jul 19, 2016

Former Colonnade restaurant building demolished to make room for condo tower.

Demolition crews began breaking down the shell of the former restaurant, which was a Tampa staple for more than 80 years, over the weekend.

The property was sold for $6.2 million in April to a joint venture between Ascentia Development Group and Batson-Cook Development Co. The property will be redeveloped into a 24-story condominium tower with up to 70 units and views of Hillsborough Bay and the downtown Tampa skyline.

The Colonnade opened in 1935 with owners Dr. Richard and Lois Whiteside and her sons. The menu included hamburgers, fried chicken and a Coca-Cola with an olive in it. The menu evolved over the years to include fish and shellfish. The restaurant remained in the Whiteside family for five generations.