YBOR CITY, Fla. -- A more than century old cigar factory that has sat empty for years is about to get a new lease on life.
- Old cigar factory transformed into apartments
- Palm Avenue and 19th Street in Ybor City
- Casa Oliva apartments to open in November
- Casaybor.com
Developers are in the process of turning the building, that sits on the Southwest corner of Palm Avenue and 19th Street in Ybor City, into apartment units.
After years of sitting vacant and in disrepair, developers and county officials are hoping to breathe new life into the three story structure by transforming it into apartments known as "Casa Oliva."
"The building was used for cigar rolling back in the late 1800's," Casa Oliva property manager Laura Vince said.
"It has been through significant times and the fact that it's still standing and we're about to use it again is amazing," Rebecca Hessinger with Hillsborough County’s Historic Preservation Challenge program said.
A few years ago, Hillsborough County awarded developers and owners $250,000 through it’s historic preservation grant program with hopes of renovating and preserving the important piece of Ybor City History.
Much of the hardwood floors and wall beams in the building are all original.
"Anything they could keep from the original time they did," Vince said. "They actually also did forensic testing on the outside so they can get the exact paint colors of how the building was painted originally."
Developers hope to attract new residents while keeping the authenticity.
"When we lose buildings like this , we lose a piece of history, we lose a piece of the cigar industry which is so integral in making Ybor City what it is today," Vince said.
Developers said the apartments are expected to open in November.