Tampa’s Riverwalk is buzzing with the latest opening of the Armature Works, Heights Public Market. Located just a few steps north of the popular Ulele’ Restaurant on Tampa’s North Riverwalk. The place packs an entertainment punch with several new trendy and innovative open floor plan restaurants. The concept follows the latest architectural trends happening in other U.S. Cities. Local developers retrofit older abandon buildings and warehouses into new trendy urban hang-outs.
The 22,000 sq-ft industrial market features many boutique style restaurants and bars with open seating showcasing local chefs and restaurateurs in the Tampa Area. Heights Public Market also includes a “Show + Tell” workshop that hosts an array of events such as cooking classes, wine tastings and pop-up dinners.
The building dates back to 1910 and was originally the Armature Works maintenance facility for Tampa Electric’s (TECO) streetcars.
This urban and trendy addition to Tampa’s Riverwalk is the brainchild of Developers Chas Bruck and Adam Harden of SoHo Capital, who envisioned a modernized neighborhood hangout for Tampa’s waterfront community and a national destination aimed to attract visitors from near and far. Over time, each piece of the 50-acre riverfront property was acquired with plans to create the Heights. The Heights will offer entertainment, workspace and shops, as well as a residential community. Whether you travel by land, bike or sea, the family-friendly district will connect the growing neighborhoods north of downtown to the Heights through the Riverwalk.
At the epicenter of The Heights is Armature Works, a 73,000 square foot mixed-use commercial space consisting of the Heights Public Market, multiple event spaces, a co-shared workspace as well as multiple restaurants and bars.
SoHo is recycling as many original materials as possible. Everything from refinishing the original steps leading up to the second-floor event space called the Theatre, to reusing the old roof that’s been milled down as hardwood flooring throughout. The inside of Armature Works features original exposed brick walls, skylights, windows and doors.
The official opening is scheduled in the coming weeks. I think you will hear more about the development as the renovations are completed.
See soft opening media video from local Fox 13 News: http://www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/new-venue-opens-in-old-armature-works-building
Contributed by Martin Allred, editor www.Floridaography.com
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