Caspers' plans to convert historic Bayshore estate into social club win final city approval
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Sep 20, 2018

The Casper family's plans to convert a century-old estate on Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa into a private social club will move forward.

Tampa City Council, after a hearing that lasted several hours Thursday, voted 5-2 to approve both a rezoning and a special use for alcohol for 4621 Bayshore Blvd., the century-old Stovall-Lee home.

Councilmen Charlie Miranda and Mike Suarez cast the dissenting votes.

"You have my word that this will be an incredible asset to Tampa and that we will operate in such a manner and ensure the neighborhood is protected," Caspers Co. CEO Blake Casper told council.

The approval came after months of outcry from the surrounding neighborhood and after a first hearing that lasted more than six hours.

Opponents to the plans said they were afraid of the noise and increased traffic the club would bring to the area. Many said it was a danger to the neighborhood, particularly given the Caspers' plans to serve alcohol at the club."People serve alcohol in their homes; they have parties in their home," councilwoman Yvonne Yolie Capin said. "We cannot sit here and presume that someone is going to get drunk and drive."

The plan for the private club includes several components - a business club; a health and wellness facility with a yoga studio, swimming pool and culinary classes; a cultural center; and a five-room bed-and-breakfast. The dining room would have a capacity of 75.

The club's operating conditions are listed on the approved site plan, meaning that the city can enforce them.

The conditions include: Outdoor alcohol sales and consumption will end by 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Delivery trucks must use Bayshore Boulevard to enter the property, not the side streets. Outdoor events are restricted to four times per year.