Historic Ybor City - An "Old World Gem" in Tampa Bay Gem

    Once known as Tampa’s Latin Quarter, Ybor City is today an exotic blend of aromas, flavors, sights and sounds. From the scent of roasting Cuban coffee in the morning to the rhythms of Latin music late into the night, Ybor City is a feast for the senses reminiscent of an ancient European city.

    For lunch or dinner, you can choose from an extremely broad array of cuisines - Spanish, Cuban, Italian, Greek and French or share authentic tapas and a pitcher of Spanish sangria in a café atmosphere reminiscent of a Mediterranean village. All this can be done on a single stroll down La Setima, the main street of this Historic District of the city of Tampa Florida.

    Ybor City was originally established by Vicente Martinez-Ybor in the 1880’s as a cigar-manufacturing center. It was soon populated by thousands of immigrants from Spain, Cuba and Italy who for the next 50 years rolled millions of cigars each year.

    Ybor City is one of only two National Historic Landmark Districts in Florida. Red brick buildings, wrought iron balconies and narrow brick streets provide an atmosphere of Old World Charm. In 2010 the Ybor City Columbia Restaurant was named a "Top 50 All-American Icon.” Ybor City today is a refreshing change of pace from the typical Florida beach town, golf community and those all-too-present regional malls.

    Here you'll find a lively 24/7 live, work and play community. Ybor City is becoming the “creative hub” of the Tampa Bay area where businesses as diverse as advertising, architecture, interior design, community planning, engineering services, technology transfer and media production are all part of the fabric of the community. And, to meet the needs of its new residents, new low-rise condos are springing-up all through the historic neighborhood.

    You must actually"come and explore" Ybor City to really appreciate its magic. No plastic mall directory, no strip mall signs, no big-box retail stores; just a walkable community with vintage fashion, funky retail shops and restaurants that have been operated by the same families for generations. It captures just the right amount of “Old World Charm” in a “New Age” cache.

    If you're relocating to the Tampa Bay area of Florida and would like more information on my Tampa Bay real estate services for homes buyers, request my Tampa Bay Information and Real Estate Package. Or, E-Mail Me or call me directly on my cell phone at (813) 263-6806.