Developer wants to convert West Tampa cigar factory to apartments, add townhouses
A developer wants to convert this cigar factory to apartments

By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: May 21, 2021

A historic cigar factory in West Tampa could soon find new life as apartments.

Tampa developer Omar Garcia has filed plans with the city to convert the century-old factory at 2111 N. Albany Ave. into Albany Cigar Lofts, which would include 40 apartments. On the land surrounding the factory, Garcia is planning 10 townhouses ranging from 2,000 to 2,400 square feet. The project will also include 55 parking spaces.

The factory, built in 1903, sits on 1.33 acres, which includes the vacant lot at the corner of North Albany Avenue and West Walnut Street. It's currently owned by a trustee that paid $1.95 million for it in 2018, according to Hillsborough County property records.

The surrounding neighborhood has seen a development boom in recent years. The Bryan Glazer Family Jewish Community Center opened in 2016; developers have poured millions into apartments; and restaurants are popping up around the area.

The plans require a rezoning approval from Tampa City Council, which will hold a public hearing on the project on Sept. 9.

Garcia, a transit advocate and downtown resident, was also behind the revitalization of the West River Flats and the redevelopment of 220 Madison, a student housing tower in downtown Tampa.