Current - Season III

→ One of Sparkman Wharf’s signature containers.

The Artists Behind Sparkman Wharf’s Signature Look

Tampa Bay’s Rich History

Wellness at Water Street Tampa

Gin Design Group Brings Fluidity and Warmth to New Concepts Ash and Alter Ego

Banking that moves you toward what’s next.

Whatever you envision, we’re inspired to help you get going. Let’s think beyond tomorrow and discover what’s next. Let’s see opportunities and seize them. Let’s work together to make your vision real. When you’re ready to go where potential leads, we’ll help you get there.

Strategic Property Partners, LLC (“SPP”) is a full-service real estate developer, owner and operator focused on expanding its growing platform of world-class execution, innovation and creating high-quality experiential places. SPP’s projects currently include Water Street Tampa and developments in historic Charleston, South Carolina.

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“It’s become a destination for people from all over the country.”

FROM ‘THE ARTISTS BEHIND SPARKMAN WHARF’S SIGNATURE

LOOK’

Poolside Living

Dive into Water Street Tampa’s coolest hotel pools this Summer.

When the sun shines brightest and when temps begin to rise, few things beat the heat like hanging poolside with a cold cocktail and your favorite pair of sunnies.

Hotel pools are ideal for a poolside daycation and can also be enjoyed during an overnight stay. These days, pool access also comes with a ton of amenities: elevated food offerings, live music, and swanky cabanas to name a few. If you’re looking for ways to stay cool this summer, beeline to one of Water Street Tampa’s hottest hotel pools (and thank us later).

ROOST TAMPA

ROOST Tampa is a sleek, contemporary apartment hotel that combines the best features of a hotel stay with apartment living. Opened in the summer of 2022 and located inside Asher (which offers apartment homes from studios to two-bedrooms). The hotel is geared towards long-term stays and comes with a ton of resortstyle amenities. Social butterflies will flock to the

BY Mariette Williams

hotel’s host of special events scheduled each week (think sip and paint gatherings, cooking classes, and poker nights), but if you’d like a few moments of solitude, there are quiet coworking spaces and lending libraries located throughout the property.

The highlight of the hotel is the gorgeous 7thfloor pool deck, which the hotel has nicknamed Heaven on 7. “We have the largest amenity deck in the district which features a pool with sun shelf, jacuzzi, and cabanas,” says Eli Kostbar, General Manager of ROOST Tampa. “Part of the poolside experience also includes lifestyle concierges who are available to assist with poolside towel service, loungers, umbrellas, and cabanas.”

The hotel’s expansive amenity floor also includes an indoor and outdoor fitness center, recreation lawn, and communal barbecues. The pool has some of the best views of downtown Tampa, and though pool access is reserved for overnight guests, we can think of no better way of breaking up the summer doldrums than booking a stay at ROOST for a few days.

TAMPA MARRIOTT WATER STREET

Located on Tampa’s waterfront, the Tampa Marriott Water Street is an updated, contemporary hotel with a soothing, nautical theme throughout the guest rooms and shared spaces. If you decide on an overnight stay, you can look forward to dining at an array of food and beverage outposts that range from seafood and steaks at Anchor and Brine to lobster quesadillas and shrimp tacos at Lona.

However, one of the hotel’s biggest draws is its stylish rooftop pool. “The pool deck is a fun and relaxing space,” says Erica Tortora, Director of Marketing at both the Tampa Marriott Water Street and the neighboring JW Marriott Tampa Water Street. “We have a beautiful rooftop pool with upscale cabanas, savory food offerings, and refreshing beverages.”

Between rounds of corn hole or foosball, order grilled burgers and salads from the Pool Bar & Grill or enjoy the panoramic views with a cocktail in hand. If you want to enjoy the pool for the day, the hotel also offers day passes where cabana and daybed rentals come with complimentary fruit and water.

JW MARRIOTT TAMPA WATER STREET

The JW Marriott Tampa Water Street arrived on the scene in 2021, and visitors have since lined up for the hotel’s sophisticated ambiance and array of outdoor entertainment spaces. The luxe property is connected to the Tampa Marriott Water Street hotel by skybridge and has six dining options, a 24-hour fitness studio, and a 27th-floor rooftop lounge—the highest rooftop lounge in Tampa. The hotel also hosts exciting seasonal activities like lawn games, movie nights, and live entertainment.

If you’re here to hang by the pool, you won’t be disappointed—the property boasts two outdoor heated pools located on the sixth floor. “Our two resort-style pools come with an expansive sun terrace, poolside cabanas, and a full-service restaurant overlooking the pool and Bayfront,” says Totora. “Guests staying on the property can also enjoy complimentary wellness and fitness classes on the event lawn adjacent to the pool deck.”

Pool access also includes food and beverage service from SiX, the indoor-outdoor restaurant with local grilled grouper and

→ The pool at JW Marriott.

housemade Cuban sandwiches on the menu. The hotel welcomes day visitors where cabana rentals include a dedicated server for any poolside drink requests.

THE TAMPA EDITION

Since it opened in the fall of 2022, The Tampa EDITION has elevated the hotel scene in downtown Tampa. The city’s first five-star hotel is heavy on amenities with six restaurant and bar options, a serene spa with innovative services (organic CBD massage anyone?), and a sprawling gym with Peloton bikes. The hotel’s clean aesthetic is complemented by bold design details like the lobby’s travertine pool table lined with yellow felt and the hotel’s infamous curved white marble staircase—a trademark of EDITION hotels.

But let’s get to the reason why you’re here: the hotel’s 9th-floor, show-stopping outdoor pool (pictured on previous page), ringed with vibrant pink bougainvillea flowers, Japanese blueberry trees, and cabanas draped in gauzy white curtains, inviting guests to relax. “The pool at The Tampa EDITION is the premier destination for a relaxing poolside retreat featuring delicious bites, refreshing cocktails, and panoramic views over downtown Tampa,” says Christine Judson, the hotel’s Director of Sales and Marketing. “On weekends, the tropical oasis transforms into an electrifying evening cocktail lounge with top DJs spinning the night away.”

During the day, try some of the small plates offered by The Pool Bar, like their Greek salad or grilled branzino sandwiches. If you’re here for the day (and feeling generous), opt for a poolside cabana with a dedicated server where you might just go for a pitcher of Tampa Lemondrop—a refreshing mix of Ketel One, limoncello, and ginger—which can serve you and up to five of your closest friends.

Whether you’re trying one or trying them all, Water Street Tampa’s pools and summertime amenities make living easy.

There’s a Lot Going On Under the Surface

One million visitors pass through The Florida Aquarium each year. Some are walking away with more than a souvenir.

Life’s not the same after a date with a South African black-footed penguin. For starters, their breath reeks of smelt and sardines. They stand just about two-feet tall, and bray like donkeys. But those beady eyes are hard to forget. And if one projectile poops on you, well, there’s apparently a t-shirt for that—at least at The Florida Aquarium.

“We’re going to take you to the gift shop after this,” Maegan Gentry told a lucky young visitor who got, well, blessed, during a recent penguin encounter.

Gentry, the aquarium’s Senior Penguin Biologist, recently spent almost an hour one afternoon introducing a small group of visitors to Nuru and Enzi, two of the nine penguins who call Florida Aquarium home. During the meet-and-greet, the birds waddle around the floor, pick up balls, hop on faux rocks, eat fish, and show off their training.

BY Ray Roa

Along with a dolphin cruise and SeaTrek underwater excursion (stylized “SeaTREK”), the penguin encounter is one of three enhanced experiences Tampa’s 29-yearold nonprofit aquarium offers as extras.

After Nuru and Enzi pose for pictures with their guests, Gentry explains the duo accounts for just two of the approximately 10,00013,000 penguins in breeding programs. Sadly, less than 44,000 are left in the wild.

Only eight people get to take part in helping care for the penguins as part of this unique engagement, but all of them, from the kids to the parents, walk out of the room transformed.

Debbi Stone, Senior Vice President of Engagement and Learning at Florida Aquarium, knows how powerful those experiences—and even a simple conversation with one of the biologists—can be.

→ Nuru and Enzi, South African black-footed penguins at The Florida Aquarium.

In her nearly 24 years at the facility, she’s seen it all, including shy kids coming out of their shells after hearing scientists talk about their jobs. Exposing guests to the possibility of a career in the field is paramount to the aquarium’s mission to not only deliver world-class care to its animals but also inspire action towards conserving species and habitats around the globe.

“It’s one of those things that’s hard to describe, but when you see it, you know it,” Stone says about the young visitors who go on to do great things in the field.

She’s seen firsthand how people move through the aquarium to bigger roles here at home and further away. Eighth grade campers regularly come back as college interns before moving on to work in conservation positions across the country. Stacianne Wiech, now Vice President of Education at Zoo Atlanta, got her start as the aquarium’s grant funded Homeschool Coordinator and Educator.

“It really does happen all the time,” Stone says. “That’s a really rewarding aspect of it.”

But it’s not just aspiring environmentalists who reap the benefits of engaging with the aquarium in more hands-on ways. Sometimes it’s people who didn’t even know they liked the water.

While the entire aquarium is immersive by nature, SeaTrek literally takes participants 15 feet underwater at the aquarium’s secondlargest exhibit, Heart of the Sea. There, a guide walks them through the 100,000-gallon tank where they’re surrounded by fish, eagle rays, bonnethead sharks, and a loggerhead turtle named Shelldon. The best part is there’s no dive experience needed since the walk is made possible by a pressurized, oxygen-fed helmet that pretty much leaves hair dry.

Anyone at least 10 years-old can participate in SeaTrek, and after just a year-and-a-half since the experience’s launch, the aquarium has also been able to bring in more than 800 school kids from across the Bay area who otherwise might not have had the opportunity.

→ There’s much to see, do and explore at Florida Aquarium in Tampa, which hosts a million visitors a year.

“People just innately connect with animals.”

Tony Rokita tells Current opening doors is a huge part of his job as The Florida Aquarium’s first-ever Senior Vice President of Community Engagement and Social Responsibility. The kids, he explains, not only see the underwater world, but get to be a part of it. Oftentimes, after leaving the tank, they want to fight for it.

“They think that it’s worth saving, they want to make sure it’s around,” Rokita, who for more than 30 years did similar community work for the Chicago Bulls, says.

“A lot of kids have gone from not knowing about that experience to becoming advocates, ambassadors, and kids that are talking about getting their own certification and becoming part of this entire aquarium world,” he adds. “It’s very cool.”

With more than 1 million people passing through the aquarium last year, not everyone gets to partake in supplemental experiences, but every inch of the exhibit pathways are designed with different guests in mind.

“Social science shows us that every person comes in with their own value system, their own knowledge base, and their perceptions,” Stone notes.

So, the aquarium can’t just present content or information and expect guests to have an emotional connection. Instead, it deploys layered content visitors might not notice on the surface but absorb without thinking as they move through the 200,000 square-foot space—

think touch tanks, videos, images, and staffers ready to engage with curious ticket holders.

“People just innately connect with animals. So, by doing a lot of different things, we have a much greater opportunity to connect with people, because there really is no one way,” Stone says.

She recently witnessed the aquarium’s philosophy in action inside the new, highly interactive “Morph’d” exhibit, which marks completion of the first of three phases in the aquarium’s $40 million expansion plan. The 3,700-square foot space showcases species with unique adaptations that help them survive in the wild.

One day, Stone saw what appeared to be a parent explaining the four-eyed fish display to their child.

“He was pointing, and saying, ‘So you see, what has happened there…,’ but he was actually just telling his son what he had just read on the wall about adaptation,” Stone says. “We’d spent so much time planning all this, and I’m actually watching this family encounter where he’s basically being the facilitator for his son who was really interested. It brought chills down my spine.”

Those are the kinds of moments that wait for everyone at The Florida Aquarium. While the center does offer experiences beyond what a guest gets with just a ticket, not everyone has to meet a penguin or walk through a giant fish tank to change their view. Sometimes, all they have to do is get their feet wet.

The Artists Behind Sparkman Wharf’s Signature Look

Water Street Tampa’s public art is one of its finest assets, and it all started with Pep Rally, Inc.

Pep Rally Inc. co-founders Joshua Pearson and Greg Bryon aren’t the only muralists and designers who’ve left their mark on Water Street Tampa, but they were the first.

When Water Street Tampa developer Strategic Property Partners (SPP) reached out to Pep Rally in 2017, they were still in Phase 0, pre-construction and contemplating how Sparkman Wharf, the waterfront entertainment destination at the heart of Water Street Tampa, would appear to guests.

Instead of stepping into the space, as the team is accustomed to, Pep Rally had to work from paper plans showing gray stacked shipping containers in the center of a waterfront park.

“You had to envision a lot of it because it was still the old iteration where you had the large buildings,” Pearson says. “They

BY Jen Ring

were just starting demo on some of the buildings that are no longer there.”

Located at the park’s center, visitors see Sparkman Wharf shipping containers from all angles, something Pep Rally considered in their initial planning process.

“They showed us a few renderings,” Pearson says. “The thing we had to wrap our brains around the most was creating something continuous, so you don’t experience it from any one side. We wanted every side and every experience to be impactful no matter where you are standing in Sparkman Wharf.”

The biggest challenge with the Sparkman Wharf project, Pearson says, was painting all the shipping containers individually at their studio. These are the containers that rest above and around the working food stalls and tell Tampa’s story through a series of iconic images.

→ Pep Rally Inc. fashioned the visual identity of

Sparkman Wharf.

“And they weren’t laid out the way that they’d be laid out at Sparkman Wharf, so we had to number the containers, number the sides, and lay them out perfectly because they weren’t by each other,” Pearson recalls. “So the day that those got lifted into place on a crane was the day they came together. That was a stressful moment.”

But in the end, the team pulled it off so well they earned several additional design jobs in the neighborhood. As new restaurants moved in, they often approached Pep Rally to help with branding.

Proper House Group—the group behind the popular Rooster & The Till and Nebraska MiniMart restaurants—brought three new restaurant concepts to Sparkman Wharf over the following five years (Gallito Taqueria, Dang Dude, and Gorditos). They commissioned Pep Rally to design the logos, menu and visual identities for both Dang Dude and Gorditos. They didn’t do the initial design for Gallitos, but they’ve been doing menu redesigns for them lately.

“All the Proper House Restaurants we have a hand in,” says Pearson.

With each new restaurant, Pep Rally artists get to try the food, design the menus and the uniforms. They’re big fans of the shaved ice at Gorditos, which Pearson tells Current is very refreshing during the hottest parts of the year.

“Sometimes when we’re doing murals, we’ll take the team over there and all get shaved ice,” says Pearson. “That’s a go-to for us for sure.”

One of the things Pep Rally likes most about working with SPP is their commitment to giving opportunities to local talent.

“The amount of local chefs that have come through here is incredible,” Pearson says. “It’s a testament to SPP’s vision for Tampa and really taking restaurant concepts to the next level. 3 Corners Pizza inside Heron and some of the others have become very established restaurants, and they started as a shipping container.

“That’s the most exciting part for us,” Pearson continues. “We love being involved with the chefs, specifically Proper House. They are so animated and excited about their concepts. At Sparkman Wharf, you can be a little more

→ The containers of Sparkman are placed.

playful, and it becomes almost a test. It’s like a trial. If it works at Sparkman, where you get a really good cross-section of people, it could be more successful as a larger brick and mortar, so it’s a cool testing ground.”

Both say it’s fantastic to see the vision take flight and become the hub it has. Seven years ago, SPP pitched the shipping container idea to Pep Rally as a temporary installation.

“It’s been so wildly successful, it’s absolutely not temporary,” says Pearson. “Now it feels like a staple of downtown. It feels like a must-see destination.”

Before you sample the street food or drink your first beer at Lighthaus, you can tell Sparkman Wharf is an exciting place. It simply looks the part. People walk around in Lightning gear pre- and post-game with trays of food, beer and ice cream cones. And at its center are Pep Rally’s painted shipping containers, announcing your arrival in Tampa with bold cursive letters surrounded by waves, marine life, tropical foliage and sand.

“At the time, I don’t think we understood the amount of people who would come to see it,” says Bryon. “It’s so much different now to go there and see a cruise ship dock and 10,000 people roaming around Sparkman Wharf. It’s become a destination for people from all over the country. It’s one of the first things they get to see docking in Tampa.”

“Amid the

bustling and diverse array of options in the Bay, the bake shops nestled within and around Water Street Tampa are emerging as undisputed crowd favorites.”

FROM ‘THE GREAT BAKERS OF TAMPA BAY’

The Great Bakers of Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay’s burgeoning bakery scene is igniting a buzz that stretches far beyond the city.

Against the backdrop of Tampa Bay’s evolving culinary scene, the bakers at Water Street Tampa’s Market at EDITION Bakery and Boulon Bakery are gaining recognition for their commitment to blending tradition with innovation. Meanwhile, Dawn Konofaos, home baker at Alèvri & Co., is crafting “poetry you can eat,” (earning her two New York Times mentions); Gabby Duncan of Gabby Bakes was just named a 2023 Black Kitchen Initiative Recipient; and Jade Yelvington of Elevenses is drawing new customers from miles away with her ingenious events and niche themed menus.

Popping by to visit any of these sweet spots would not be a mistake, and hopefully, you may find for yourself why these Tampa Bay bakers are having a moment.

BOULON BAKERY

Nestled within the gorgeous French bistro, Boulon Brasserie, Boulon Bakery promises customers an authentic French Patisserie experience by way of America, offering everything from coffee and tea to pastries and sandwiches that can be enjoyed al fresco at their charming outdoor seating area or ordered to go for a stroll around the neighborhood.

Naturally, in the spirit of an authentic French patisserie, Boulon takes great pride in its assortment of handcrafted croissants, baked to golden perfection. These croissants, renowned for their flaky layers and rich flavor, are complemented by an array of other treats such as turnovers and pain au chocolat. It’s no wonder BY Salomé Gómez-Upegui and Annalise Mabe

→ Left: A cake from Gabby Bakes. Above: Gabby Duncan of Gabby Bakes poses with her creation. Next spread: Alèvri & Co’s Dawn Konofaos.

these offerings have earned a loyal following among patrons drawn to Boulon’s commitment to quality and traditional baking techniques.

Whether you’re an early riser seeking the perfect breakfast pastry to start your day, a mid-morning snacker looking to indulge in a delectable treat, or someone who enjoys pairing a cup of coffee with dessert right after lunchtime, Boulon Bakery has something to satisfy every craving.

In addition to their many pastries, Boulon offers special treats for beloved four-legged friends, including freshly baked dog biscuits or tasty pup cups to ensure furry friends enjoy delights alongside their owners. What’s more, a portion of proceeds from all dog treats benefits the Humane Society of Tampa—a testament to their commitment to animal care and protection.

GABBY BAKES

Gabby Duncan of Gabby Bakes just opened her Seminole Heights baking studio and stays busy with custom-order, vegan vintagestyle cakes (think neon Marie Antionette plus balletcore and zodiac, disco ball fun), Indie Flea market days, and walk-up popups which are drumming up long lines.

Her baked goods and her bright pink and red brand are pretty iconic with some fans and customers now referring to her as “the pink girl.” To say she works hard is a bit of an understatement; her books are full months ahead, she seems to always be at a local market (rain or shine), and she was just named a 2023 Black Kitchen Initiative recipient.

Well on her way, find her at @gabbybakesllc on Instagram, or plan to visit a walk-up popup at her bright pink brick and mortar.

ALÈVRI & CO.

Just minutes away, Dawn Konofaos, the vegan baker behind Alèvri & Co., is deep into crafting “poetry you can eat,” she says, for people with

an appreciation for art and design. Twice featured in the New York Times, she’s known for her stunning ethereal wedding cakes, freeform sugar wafer paper flowers, fondant ruffles, and signature palette-knife technique. Her unique flavors and baked goods—Citrus Golden “Honey,” Strawberry Milk, Ode to Stone Fruit, and Smoky Chocolate, to name a few—are inspired by music and poetry and are made with all her intention and care.

Konofaos doesn’t ever sit too still. She’s currently heading up a new pop-up concept (@sourdough_heaux), baking light and airy sourdough donuts for those who tune in to these special, limited drops. Also, ahead for Konofaos are more pre-order cake slice sampling box opportunities and fun cake social events. Follow her at @alevri.co on Instagram for more baked magic and beauty.

MARKET AT EDITION

Across the street, within the Market at EDITION restaurant, there’s another bakery committed to excellence and innovation. The coffee bar, as is it known at the hotel, was first conceptualized as a classic pastry shop for breakfast takeaway for those wanting a quick pastry to enjoy with a hot beverage; however, the quality is so fine, their offerings have quickly evolved, and now include full cakes and cakes by the slice as well.

Laurent Lelarge serves as the senior baker at the EDITION hotel, where he brings along with him his expertise as an in-house pastry chef. With a background rooted in authentic French baking, Lelarge ensures that all croissants and breads at the Market maintain traditional French flavors and techniques. His dedication to high quality and attention to detail contribute to the bakery’s reputation for delivering exquisite pastries that reflect the essence of French baking.

“We have a fantastic kitchen that’s specifically devoted to the pastries we offer,” says Byron Halliburton, Director of Beverage at The Tampa EDITION. “When it comes to seasons, we’ll

always have items appropriate for that time of the year. So, for Easter we’ll have carrot cakes as a little whimsical way to think about bunnies and, of course, during Christmas we’ll bring in some warm spices for our desserts.”

But keeping things fresh and interesting for customers is the real priority of the Market at EDITION’s team. “We also have what we call ‘the Laurent special,’ which is whatever our chef has decided inspires him that week. Those items vary as his winds change, so it’s wonderful because almost every time that you come in, you’ll have the chance to try something surprising and new,” Halliburton adds.

In today’s increasingly eco-conscious world, the importance of sustainable practices in bakeries cannot be overstated. From sourcing ingredients responsibly to minimizing food waste, embracing sustainability not only benefits the environment but also fosters goodwill with customers who value ethical business practices.

In this sense, the Market at EDITION is making a conscious effort to forgo the use of plastic and opt for paper instead, choosing paper napkins, paper bags, and paper straws. They’re also paying close attention to avoiding food waste by centralizing all their needs into one pastry kitchen that supplies the entire hotel, which allows them to consolidate ingredients and distribute everything they make accordingly.

On a similar note, the bakery is adamant about supporting local vendors as a path to fostering vibrant communities and supporting Tampa’s local economy. Sourcing ingredients or products locally supports regional farmers and producers and reduces carbon emissions associated with transportation.

“We’re also very conscious about using and offering local and organic products, when possible,” Halliburton says. “We have a wonderful selection of smoothies and juices available, for instance, and they’re all local products which is great.”

→ The Market at EDITION is not to be missed.

→ Above: Shortwave Coffee.

SHORTWAVE COFFEE

Nestled between Rapid7 and BODYROK is Shortwave Coffee, a specialty coffee and pastry shop offering fresh takes on coffee classics and in-house made baked goods for both savory and sweet fans. At the helm is Jordan Johnson, who brings with her six years of French baking experience and tons of creativity. Having been with Water Street’s Shortwave since its inception about a year and a half ago, Johnson has helped dream up the extensive menu from scratch, including some coffee shop staples like cortados and traditional croissants while also introducing more elevated beverages and pastries like their Mint Mayday (picture a mojito iced latte) and cardamom pistachio cake.

“We make all our pastries from scratch daily,” Johnson says, “and with that, it gives us some flexibility in creating items, giving us a chance to really have fun when testing new recipes.”

Johnson notes that she’s always on a mission to incorporate gluten free and vegan pastries as well since these can sometimes be more difficult to find. Visitors can find one of their best sellers, the gluten free cinnamon roll (on the menu daily), along with breakfast sandwiches on sourdough, cheese danishes, coffee cake, lemon blueberry muffins, and more.

Ultimately, amid the bustling and diverse array of bakery options of Tampa Bay, the bake shops nestled within and around the vibrant enclave of Water Street Tampa are emerging as undisputed crowd favorites. And, with a focus on sustainability and a dedication to crafting exceptional baked goods, these bakers are making their mark on the local food landscape by incorporating sustainable practices such as using vegan ingredients, sourcing locally, and minimizing food waste. They’re not only raising the bar for quality but also contributing to the neighborhood’s reputation as a hub for culinary excellence.

ELEVENSES

Jade Yelvington grew up watching her ubertalented, pastry chef mom bake and decorate wedding cakes at Bern’s, but never thought she’d pursue baking professionally herself.

Right: Shortwave’s Jordan Johnson.

→ This spread: The colorful creations of Jade Yelvington’s Elevenses. Next page: Jade Yelvington.

But her latte art and curiosity for quirky flavor pairings led her to open up shop with Elevenses in Ybor, just minutes from the Water Street area.

“I wanted to create the kind of space/menu/ coffee program I’d been looking for in Tampa, but has been hard to find,” Yelvington says.

One visit to Elevenses and you’ll be taken by bright colors, surprising flavors, and spots of joy dotted around the shop walls. As for inspiration? She finds it everywhere.

“I basically grew up in the food industry, so I’ve been around kitchens my whole life,” she says. “I get bored easily and am always searching for something new, something that makes me ‘feel’ some sort of way.”

For her menus, Yelvington likes to play with nostalgic cakes, adding a more refined technique where quality and flavor reign supreme. She’s also been an avid reader and

fan of movies and TV her whole life, so many of her creations are inspired by what she would imagine a character would want to make or eat.

Staying thoroughly true to herself, her niche themed events and pop-ups have made her a bit Instagram famous, going viral after content creators were drawn to her limited-time Gilmore Girls themed offerings where nods to Luke’s Diner and Stars Hollow abounded.

Elevenses’ one year anniversary celebration was fittingly Lord of the Rings themed (Yelvington’s cat is named Gandalf), and included offerings like Bilbo’s Birthday Cake, a matcha carrot cake with cinnamon cream cheese icing; Mordor, a lavender cloud latte; and One Ring pretzels— ring-shaped salted pretzels with the Prancing Pony’s famous ale cheese sauce to name a few.

Follow Yelvington @elevensesco for more delightful creations popping out of the oven each week.

All in Good Taste

After a successful spring event, Taste of Water Street gears up for a fun Fall version

BY Terry Ward

A banner blue Florida sky and impeccable springtime temperatures hovering in the mid70s set the scene for last March’s first ever–-and entirely sold out—Taste of Water Street event.

Drawing 17 of the district’s top food and beverage destinations, the ticketed gathering quickly morphed into a moving feast of sorts that took over Water Street, Raybon Plaza and Via Corazon for an evening of great taste, music and camaraderie.

The flavors dished up a globally-inspired mashup of Water Street Tampa’s diverse culinary offerings. Among the many dishes being proffered streetside for the passing crowds were tomato burrata toasts from gourmet toast and juice bar, Toastique, duck confit crepes from French outpost, Boulon Brasserie and a brand new menu offering of crispy shrimp tacos that made its debut at the event from Small Giant Bar & Restaurant.

There were elote-style corn cups from Sparkman Wharf’s Mexican favorite, Jotoro, braised short rib with horseradish mash from The Pearl and typically innovative ice creams from Chill Bros. (this time, the Burnt Basque Cheesecake Ice Cream—an insanely rich melange of mascarpone ice cream with chunks of caramelized cheesecake cut through with a ribbon of house-made strawberry balsamic jam).

Feeling full yet? Trust us, that was just a sampling.

Outside of Market at the EDITION Tampa, espresso martinis shaken with Ketel One vodka and cold brew—a specialty at the coffee bar’s nighttime metamorphosis into an espresso martini bar—flowed. The cocktails paired perfectly with chocolate pistachio Italian donuts from Market’s bakery, called bomboloni.

“It was nice to see new and old faces and see everybody out,” said The Tampa EDITION’s

“To watch Water Street Tampa come to life...has been an architectural, zoning and planning marvel.”

MICHELIN star chef, John Fraser. “People were interested to see what we’d come up with, and it was great to connect with our neighbors as well as new clients.”

Fraser said the event was mostly about building relationships for him as well as seeing the neighborhood being enjoyed the way it was meant to be.

“To watch Water Street [Tampa] come to life from dirt to where it is today has been an architectural, zoning and planning marvel,” he said.

Heron resident Sydney Barker, 27, was among the district’s many locals out enjoying Taste of Water Street’s spring gathering.

“There were all these booths set up, a bunch of fun music playing and people everywhere,” she said. “There was a guy playing music on the street when I stepped out of my building that really set the mood. And, of course, everything was delicious, too.”

Heather Rivas, Director of Operations for Next Level Brands, whose restaurant, Boulon Brasserie, participated in the event, said she was impressed by how well the event was received by the community.

“Pretty much the entire neighborhood came out, with everyone offering small bites and beverages to the passing crowds,” she said.

Guests were provided with a fun interactive way to eat their way through the stops, too, with a “Passport to Deliciousness”—a booklet

to carry throughout the district on their tasting journeys, collecting stamps along the way and racking up complementary appetizers, discounts on ice cream and the other perks to cash in on a return visit to Water Street Tampa.

“Our first annual Taste of Water Street was a phenomenal success,” said Liza Berger, Vice President of Marketing with Strategic Property Partners, the developer of Water Street Tampa.

And so successful was the spring event, for which 350 tickets were sold, that October’s fall Taste of Water Street will include even more restaurants as well as potential involvement from retail outlets in the district too, she said.

“We feel confident we can still execute the same standard of event and almost double the ticket sales for the fall version,” Berger said.

For her, one of the most satisfying elements of Taste of Water Street’s inaugural edition— besides the simple joy of seeing how much everyone was enjoying themselves—was drilling down with post-event surveys to find out how guests had heard about the event and from how far away they’d come to enjoy it.

“I loved to see guests coming from different parts of the area beyond the immediate Water Street [Tampa] neighborhood,” she said. “We had visitors from St. Pete, Brandon, Palm River, Town and Country, Odessa, West Chase, Land o Lakes and beyond.”

“This is one of the brightest points,” she added. “Water Street [Tampa] is really

opening up downtown Tampa to people who may not come to the city so frequently.”

On a personal note, Berger said she had a lot of fun during the event basking in all the neighborhood’s restaurant and retail creativity so proudly on display.

“Wagamama had these great dumplings they were cooking onsite,” she said. “And in addition to their tasting, Predalina had a pop-up shop with gift items that was a real surprising delight moment.”

Event planners are targeting October for the second Taste of Water Street event for myriad reasons, Berger said.

“Menus will be updated, so we’ll be getting into fall menus. Our restaurants will have some new variation to showcase,” she said. “Also, it’s the time of year when the weather is starting to settle back down after summer as well as that sweet spot just before the holidays.”

Locals can consider taking advantage of the event as a way to sample flavors in advance of planning potential holiday gatherings with friends and family at the district’s restaurants.

And while the event organizers had considered sticking to a theme or genre for the October fun, Berger said letting the participating restaurants and retailers run with their creativity made the most sense after such a successful spring gathering.

“The incredible response we got the first go-round just solidified that we are doing the right thing,” she said.

Residents of Water Street Tampa can look forward to early-release ticket sales to ensure they have access to all the fun happening right in their own backyard. But the hope, of course, is that people will come from all over the region for a taste of what makes Water Street Tampa so unique.

Tampa Loves (Local) Beer

The best beers brewed in Tampa and where to find them.

There are 29 beers on tap at Sparkman Wharf’s LightHaus. Twenty-one are made in Florida. Seventeen right in the Tampa Bay area—18 if you count Yuengling, which now brews in Tampa in addition to Pottsville, Pennsylvania.

There are ciders from Keel Farms in Plant City and 3 Daughters Brewing in St. Pete, IPAs from Tampa Bay Brewing Company, Big Storm Brewing Company, Cigar City Brewing, and Magnanimous Brewing, lagers from Florida Avenue Brewing Company and BarrieHaus Beer Company, wheat beers, pale ales, and the occasional pilsner.

With more than 100 craft breweries, Tampa Bay is home to an enviable amount of local beer brewed in its backyard. You’d have to drink beer (or serve it) for a living to make sense of the many options, so we asked some folks who do just that—bartenders and bar managers at some of the city’s best taprooms—about Tampa’s favorite local suds.

LIGHTHAUS

LightHaus is a biergarten in the heart of Sparkman Wharf, one that gets pretty busy with all the bustling activity in the area. LightHaus bartenders John Atkinson and Chelsea Solano serve lots of beer and cite Jai Alai and Yuengling as Tampa’s top two selling beers at their bar. Atkinson’s personal favorite is Bromosa Tangerine, a mimosa-inspired Tangerine IPA made at Clearwater’s Big Storm Brewery.

“But I think the one that’s been really popular is called Juice Lord,” he says.

BY Jen Ring

On the opposite end of the beer spectrum, Solano likes sours and ciders, two things Tampa Bay area brewers do well. Solano’s favorite sour beer is Hidden Springs’ Riot Juice, a Florida Berliner Weisse with blackberry, lime and vanilla flavors.

“The craft beer scene in Tampa is just so further ahead than everybody else,” says Lucien “Luc” Bonvovioir, who works for Big Storm, whose Bromosa and Pirate’s Fortune are both giant local hits. “I mean, there’s companies like Tampa Bay Brewing Company and 3 Daughters and Green Bench. They all just make phenomenal beer. Coppertail,” Bonvovioir continues. “This is one of the most competitive craft beer markets just because the beer that everybody makes is so good. And then, obviously, this is the perfect place to try them all.”

YARD HOUSE

Yard House opened across the street from Amalie Arena in December of 2023. Bar manager Will Sollars is a stout lover, but sells mostly lighter beers—the kind you could drink half a yard or 32 ounces of, the Yard House signature.

“Tampa is more of a light beer, easy drinking kind of city, especially when they’re going to the arena right before an event,” says Sollars.

Bartender Annie Scarborough, a Hazy IPA fan, recommends Magnanimous’ Juice Lord and Cigar City’s Fancy Papers. Her colleague Ethan Depiro, a server at Yard House, is also a Hazy IPA fan. His top five Tampa beers, in order, are Magnanimous’ Juice Lord, Common Dialect’s Refractive Error,

→ Of the 29 beers on tap at LightHaus, 21 are made in Florida, 17 in Tampa.

Angry Chair’s Space Grass, Coppertail’s Unholy, and Cigar City’s Florida Man.

COPPERTAIL BREWING COMPANY

At Coppertail a beer flight is the way to go. There are simply too many good beers to choose from. The destination brewery on the outskirts of Ybor City has a combination of year-round favorites and seasonal brews on tap. Bartender Erin Gough recommends “Sun Runner” or “Florida Special” as a good summer choices, light and refreshing. No matter, you can’t go wrong at Coppertail.

MAGNANIMOUS BREWING

Magnanimous is home of the Juice Lord, a Hazy IPA, which is hugely popular around the city. It’s so well-loved in Tampa, in fact, at Magnanimous they keep more than one version of it on tap, says bartender Evan Gilstrap. Juice Lord Almighty is a Triple IPA with an ABV of 10.5% (compared to Juice Lord’s 7.5% ABV). For light beer drinkers, Gilstrap recommends Magnanimous’ golden European-style lager, Golden Rule, and Zurg, a Czech-style lager.

BARRIEHAUS BEER COMPANY

BarrieHaus has brewed four award-winning beers, a Dortmund-style lager (Tampa Export), a Vienna-style lager (Family Tradition), a Czech-style Pilsner (Bublina) and a Munich Dunkel (The Dark). The beer at this Ybor City brewery, which opened in 2019, can sometimes be served in a dimpled mug, per German beer garden tradition, with three fingers of foam on top. It’s called a Hladinki pour, which BarrieHaus explains in educational pamphlets placed on their tables.

But even if the Tampa brewery you find yourself in doesn’t have handy learning materials at the ready, bartenders at all its favorite beer-heavy spots are knowledgeable about their craft (beer) and can recommend a great brew for you and your crew. Cheers!

Hop On, Hop Off

Enjoy Downtown Tampa’s waterways as they were meant to be: with the wind at your back and the sun on your face.

There’s something idyllic about Tampa’s serene waterways. Along the Hillsborough river’s channel walls, remnants of colorful graffiti tags boast the name of University of Tampa’s rowing team, blue herons and wood ducks splash alongside their brood. And it’s not too uncommon to spot a small group of dolphins or manatees following your waves on one of the many boats you might board while you’re here. Life along these barnacle-embellished byways is deeply connected to the history of what makes this city so special.

One of these vessels you might take for a ride is the Pirate Water Taxi. With six ships in their fleet seating between 29 and 100 guests, it’s the perfect vessel for immersing yourself in all things Florida life, with boundless experiences at its many stops along its route. It doubles as an excellent host for birthdays, bachelorette parties, scavenger hunts and moonlight cruises with drinks for purchase and trusted captains onboard. And that’s not even the tip of the iceberg (something southern boat riders need not fret over).

Passengers can hop right on the Water Taxi

BY Janette Flavell

via the River Route at Water Street Marriott hotels, a route that makes for a convenient and scenic mode of transportation and relaxation. Those with hopes of luxuriating in an afternoon lounging at Curtis Hixon, an urban-centric waterfront park sitting on eight acres of grand waterfront views, can dodge weekend traffic aboard the taxi. It’s the perfect spot for kicking back and soaking up some sun with a picnic basket or podcast. The park includes a dog run for furry friends, and interactive water fountains and mist fans should anyone need a proper cool down.

The River Route continues to coast down to Julian B. Lane Park where there’s never a shortage of events and celebrations. Whether you’re catching live music or perusing fine art, there’s a little something for everyone. Featuring a playground and a splash pad, park goers can post up under the picnic or spend time enjoying public art, sports courts and fields, and stand-up paddleboard or kayak rentals. Riders rest assured: the staycation and endless summer energy that feeds Tampa

Bay can be found on and off the boat. Before the Taxi loops back around, it stops for an Armature Works and Ulele hop off. Consider ordering a brown paper bag of hush puppies from Ulele’s walk up bar or grabbing a riverwalk-approved to-go Spritz from Bar AW inside Armature Works. Eat and drink by the waterside or take a breather and soak up some cool air before heading back to the ship.

If you’re looking for a more upscale experience on the water, Yacht Starship and Craft Tampa dinner cruises are the way to go. The Starship is available for premier dining cruises, private charters, and specialty events where guests might partake in murder mystery dinners or brunches celebrating Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. Much to everyone’s pleasant surprise, the Yacht Starship Cruise is family friendly, so rally up the gang aboard the ship for a princess cruise with photo ops, meet n’ greets and dance parties galore.

Like the Yacht Starship Cruise, Craft Tampa offers premier dining options like their twohour brunch, lunch, and dinner cruises. With a menu curated by Chef Allison Beasman, guests enjoy an elevated cuisine with her stunning, three course dinner. Craft’s Chef Beasman grew up blue crabbing on the Chassahowitzka River

where much of her menu draws from, inspiring fresh seafood twists prepared from the heart.

Upon boarding Craft Tampa, you might start at the Bow & Stern for a cocktail. Built from a 1914 wooden cruiser, this stunning bar offers iconic drinks, each designed with ingredients that are as seductive as they are delicious. And when you’re ready, you’ll be seated inside or outside (depending on weather and preference) for an intimate meal along the Hillsborough Bay.

For those visiting, look forward to exceptional service on each of these vessels. The stewards of Craft Tampa and the Yacht Starship offer an upscale, swanky vibe while the Pirate Taxi is your go-to for all day fun (and a little Tampa history).

“These ships are such a bucket list item for locals, but also for folks visiting Tampa Bay,” says Jennifer Richardson, Yacht Starship Vice President of Marketing.

What Richardson and her team have built in all three vessels is an homage to respecting, tending to, and utilizing Downtown Tampa’s waterways as they were designed to be enjoyed. So, hop on and hop off; keep the wind at your back and the sun on your face—and have a drink along the way.

Meacham Urban Farm Regenerates the City’s Roots

The micro-ecosystem tucked close to downtown Tampa is teaching kids the value of sowing and growing.

BY Janette Flavell

With regenerative roots and a lot of heart, Meacham Urban Farm invests not only in the land, but the community surrounding them via their two acre, green space just five minutes north of Water Street Tampa.

Their goal: to feed their community by connecting with local schools, giving nearby students of all ages the chance to practice handson agriculture. Together, the farm team and their student mentees learn how to prepare soil, plant seeds and grow food. The students get to see the process from inception and tend to seedlings all the way through to harvest. That allotment is stored for locals to purchase, both through the farm’s membership program and SNAP benefits.

This micro-ecosystem is a farm tucked away inside a concrete jungle. What some consider an unusual place for a farm, community members and local chefs revere. And with a wide range of organic produce to choose from (including fresh ferments), who could blame them? The truth about sowing and growing is that it’s a heart-centric experience–and it’s exactly

what gets Joe Dalessio, one of the farmers on the land, and crew out of bed every morning.

There’s an overwhelming sense of belonging at Meacham. The second your feet hit the soil, there’s an instant spark, a connection to the work at hand. You’re greeted by barn cats in training and sunshine dripping across dewy, vibrant beds of kale, beets and cabbage. It’s hard to not immediately feel at home, where of course, shoes are optional.

Sitting on two acres, this regenerative farm strives to put agriculture in the hands of the community. “It took two and a half years of permitting and planning,” Dalessio says with a smile. “Add a couple years of developing the foundation, and man, it feels so good to finally be farming,”.

The intention behind the design of the farm was simple: create an efficient, self-feeding, selfhealing green machine. One that marries heavy production with traditional farming practices. “The hope is to invest in the land itself,” Dalessio

says, and that’s exactly what they’ve managed to do. “We’re in that stage where we’re still bringing in organic fertilizer and compost. Producing that in house to become a closed loop system is what we’re most looking forward to.”

Healthy, nitrogen rich soil at Meacham now yields high quality crops —but it didn’t start off that way.

When the Meacham crew first arrived on the land it was desolate, save for a derelict building. The land was full of sandy dirt with nothing active happening below ground. Dalessio recalls he and his team walking square foot by square foot, excavating, removing trash and ditching rubble to prepare the surface for an overhaul.

Over time, they were able to develop a permanent bed system. This approach focuses their resources on a specific area to maximize their yield per square foot. As opposed to plowing or harrowing, permanent beds are developed and set in place to grow the same way, year after year. With the help of biological controls like ladybugs, lacewings and cover crops. Intentional row spacing helps restructure the approach many farmers have taken.

“This style of farming takes four or five years to really establish, so now that we’re able to grow food for the community, it feels like things are coming full circle,” says Dalessio. He, Nicole Kubilins, Travis Malloy and Stephen Fox are the main farmers here, each bringing with them years of experience between life in academia and straight up digging in the dirt.

Dalessio reminisces on growing up without access or exposure to living or working on the land. “I didn’t grow up on a farm,” he says. “And we know it’ll take a while to see how collaborating with the kids in the community will impact them in the long term. But the immediate response has been incredible.” There’s a swell of hope and excitement at this future glimpse. Dalessio muses that seeing the students and families adopting practices they’ve learned at Meacham is worth every second of working in the Florida heat.

We caught the crew in the middle of prepping for an upcoming farm dinner, one of many they host throughout the year. This seven-course,

→ Meacham Farm.

→ Throughout the year the farm hosts guest chef dinners which serve produce from Meacham and hyperlocal meat from regional farms.

family style dinner highlights seasonal, raw, fermented, and cooked elements, all from local vendors, including the farm itself. At farm dinners, guests have a chance to tour the farm, harvest some vegetables and enjoy chatting with chefs and local purveyors. Among them is Shane Richeson, creator of Buddha’s Garden.

Richeson dedicates his time to the art of fermentation. Some of his popular creations include garlic black pepper kraut, hatch chile kimchi and zhoug Sauce with some of the fermented eats becoming a staple at the coveted dinners throughout the year. And with ingredients straight from the ground just footsteps from the fire, the seats at the table fill quickly.

Developed by the community and for the community, Meacham leads by example, aiming to reduce negative impacts on the climate while increasing accessibility to fresh grown foods and the education and practices behind growing them. To watch this crew integrate their passion and purpose borders on magical.

Will the city of Tampa follow in Meacham’s footsteps? We think so. The development of Water Street Tampa—whose LEED ND certification points to its focus on harmony with the native landscape, and foundational commitment to communal responsibility and environmental sustainability—is a good sign these pillars of sustainability are being adopted and adapted to. Though, one thing is certain. This urban farm exemplifies what it means to revel in nutrient dense, community care. And the greater Tampa Bay area can look forward to Meacham rooting wide and growing tall, with all hands in.

“The most thrilling thing you can do as an architect is foster that sense of community and social engagement.”

FROM ‘DRAWN FROM NATURE’

Drawn from Nature

Idyllic indoor-outdoor living sits moments from the Tampa Riverwalk at Heron.

BY Terry Ward

Of the many contemporary architectural projects recently built and still in the pipeline for Water Street Tampa, one building stands apart for its particularly eye-catching facade.

If you’ve noticed your gaze on the downtown Tampa skyline always lingers a little longer on the two residential towers that make up Heron, it has everything to do with the address’s elemental design.

A brilliant interplay of open and solid spaces rendered non-repetitively is what naturally draws the eye to these sibling LEED Gold Certified residential towers situated within a stone’s throw of the Tampa Riverwalk at the heart of Water Street Tampa, where 420 units welcome residents with enviable lifestyle amenities.

“The goal was to make sure the building felt like it was more inspired by nature than anything else,” says the project’s Design Principal, Trent Tesch, of Kohn Pedersen Fox

Associates (KPF), a New York City architectural firm known for celebrated global projects that include the AIA National award-winning One Jackson Square in New York City’s Greenwich Village (of which Tesch said several elements served to inform Heron’s design).

“We aimed to create a piece of architecture that doesn’t repeat incessantly and doesn’t feel monotonous, so you’re able to interpret what you want in that architecture,” he says of Heron, which the firm worked on for Strategic Property Partners (SPP), who developed the neighborhood.

When the KPF team first arrived in Tampa to research the project in 2016, says Tesch, Water Street Tampa was in its infancy—then little more than a parking lot in the process of being created from the ground up.

“We spent a lot of time early on in the project thinking of designing the building from the inside out and trying to find a form that would generate the best views and solar orientation,” he says.

Creating an indoor-outdoor connection was very important in the design process, so the architects turned to Tampa’s natural habitats on both land and water for inspiration.

“That gave us the idea for the form of the building and the partitions that divide the units, and that playful nature of it,” Tesch says. “We wanted Heron to feel like it was an organic piece of architecture.”

The building, wrought mostly from concrete and glass, has three exterior edges lined with buzzing restaurants, an organic grocer with a craft beer and wine bar and a tree column feature that forms part of a “porous plaza” on the eastern tower’s north side. The effect allows views to flow through to the water while also serving as a visual break for the eye, says Tesch.

“The relief in the buildings’ exterior edges makes for a far more interesting, abstract and playful composition than is the norm in most residential buildings,” he says.

It’s all part of a greater interplay designed to make the people living in the district and within the Heron itself connect to the dynamism and character of the street life and neighborhood.

For Heron resident Sydney Barker, 27, a project manager who moved to Tampa from Virginia and has lived in Heron’s west tower since the summer of 2022, working remotely and playing locally, it’s a lifestyle goal realized.

Residing in the building and district gives Barker what she calls an “instant serotonin boost” every time she walks outside, she says.

Her residence’s balcony (every apartment in Heron has one) was a major selling point when it came to deciding where she wanted to live in Tampa, says Barker. And Tampa’s beautiful weather for most of the year allows her to take full advantage of it.

“We have lots of plants out there, a hammock, a couch. It feels like an extension of the

living room,” she says. “My dog loves to go out there and lay in the sun.”

That’s precisely how the architects envisioned Heron’s appeal playing out for the people who call it home, says Tesch.

“The shaping and angled balconies we crafted formed a language on the vertical elements of the towers,” he says. “When you approach the terrace from the inside of your unit, it feels like an organic and non-repetitive surface.” Heron’s concrete exterior was made using board forms cast against cedar planks to give an impression of graining and an organic characteristic that further serves to connect the indoors and out.

The buildings’ communal spaces woo, too, from a state-of-the-art fitness studio and landscaped roof garden to rooftop pools in both towers that arguably have downtown’s most coveted residential views—taking in Harbour Island, Davis Island, the shipping channel, the Tampa Riverwalk and the sweeping stretch of Bayshore Boulevard extending to the south.

Within the residences’ interiors, luxury is in the minimalist details that take a nod from Japanese and Scandinavian styling and include marbled quartz kitchens with induction cooktops and steel Fisher & Paykel appliances.

Floor-to-ceiling windows maximize natural light, with the balconies angled to provide shade from the harsh sunlight while also allowing for an ambient quality of light that hits the residences’ terraces and “bounces into the apartment to make it feel light and airy,” Tesch explains.

Among the many sustainability-focused processes and strategies that led to Heron’s LEED Gold certification are perks for residents that include 22 onsite electric vehicle charging stations and native and adaptive plantings that serve to green up the buildings’ cumulative 80,000 square feet of open space, including a green roof covering the parking structure.

As for the building’s name, bestowed upon it by Strategic Property Partners, Heron references the beautiful and iconic Florida shorebird observed throughout the state—including all over the Tampa Bay area, where herons are known for making frequent appearances flying across the sky or elegantly patrolling the water’s edge.

The building plays a key role in Water Street Tampa’s transformation of downtown Tampa as North America’s first-ever WELL Certified™ community and a vibrant destination home to thousands of people living, working, and enjoying the unique and healthy lifestyle.

“Our residential buildings, like Heron, place residents directly in the mix of the bustling neighborhood and events…reinforcing a strong sense of community and showcasing Water Street Tampa’s immense benefits to the city and Tampa region,” says Josh Taube, CEO of SPP, referring to events like Taste of Water Street (read “All in Good Taste,” page 62) and The Market at Water Street Tampa among recent gatherings steeped in community spirit.

For Tesch and his firm, Heron is a project fully realized in the most rewarding way.

“The most thrilling thing you can do as an architect is foster that sense of community and social engagement. That’s really important,” he says. “I think Heron does that in a really healthy way.”

→ Previous spread: The two residential towers of Heron are sparkling additions to Tampa’s skyline.

Tampa Bay’s Rich History

Getting a glimpse of the dynamic’s city’s past to better understand its future.

Last year alone, more than 1.2 million people set foot across the Tampa Riverwalk. The 2.6-mile trail connects three of the city’s most popular neighborhoods, and features 30 historical monuments, but there’s even more to dive into at the southern end of the path.

Inside the Tampa Bay History Center, a team of about 35 staffers and 60 volunteers helps visitors and locals alike unpack more than 12,000 years of local history and cultivate a deeper sense of place.

The journey starts with a dugout pinewood Indigenous canoe that’s about 2,000 years old. It was recovered somewhere near Newnansville, a two-hour drive north from the museum. The vessel replaces one that in the ‘80s was stolen straight out of a small, second-floor museum inside the county courthouse on nearby Pierce Street, which was where some historical items from Hillsborough County were stored.

“There was a lot of concern about the safety and care of those artifacts,” Rodney Kite-Powell, tells Current.

Kite-Powell is the Director of the History Center’s Touchton Map Library—the only cartographic research center of its kind in

BY Ray Roa

the state—and has a story for seemingly every artifact inside the four-story museum.

No one could fault volunteers for the disappearance, but then-County Commissioner Jan Platt created a task force to build a freestanding history museum, complete with a professional staff, for Hillsborough County.

Twenty years later in 2009, Tampa Bay History Center cut the ribbon on its 60,000-square foot home. And while staff hasn’t looked back in its efforts to grow galleries with award-winning exhibits, one of the team’s main functions is to give visitors a glimpse into the past so they can better understand their future.

Beyond the canoe are the collection’s Seminole and Miccosukee artifacts, including patchwork patterns and tools. When the history center couldn’t find an original Chickee home, staff mailed a palm frond to an Indiana fabricator who could recreate part of the thatched roof dwelling.

“Imagine this much fresh palm frond,” KitePowell says, arms spread wide, illustrating the volume of finished product when it arrived. “It had that kind of that freshly mowed lawn smell, almost a sweet palm—it smelled great.”

“There are lessons in history that can be beneficial for us as we are planning our future and living our present.”

A sharp nose will pick up another pleasant aroma from a nearby gallery that captures the spirit of the most famous Tampeño export. The collection inside the glass cases and on the walls is a treasure trove that tells the story of the manufacturing and marketing of cigars.

Some items come from hardcore collectors, and others are things someone inherited from a relative who passed away. Kite-Powell—who’s also Hillsborough County’s official historian—says the latter is harder to come by because the new owners often don’t feel the same connection to the things that their relatives did. But as the history center’s stature in the community grows, people know he’s interested in having them.

“They didn’t play any kind of role in the events. ‘It’s just dad’s stuff, or grandad’s stuff,’” Kite-Powell explains. “But we want to make sure that we’re always up to date with reflecting the community and its people.”

Visitors can feel that humanity across the breadth of the museum, from the cattle ranchers of the Lightsey Family Ranch to the increasingly harrowing tale of Florida’s citrus growers. Military families are represented, and port workers are, too.

A new permanent exhibit, “Travails and Triumphs,” covers five centuries of Black history in Tampa Bay from the first locals of the African diaspora, Tampa’s oncebooming Central Avenue, the hardships their communities endured, and their victories, too.

“I think it’s a very great example of a mix of great objects and technology and these really interesting stories to help tell that 500-year story,” Kite-Powell said.

On the top floor, the very kid-friendly “Conquistadors, Pirates, and Shipwrecks” deploys a 60-foot pirate ship and hands-on features in its exploration of real-life pirates who stalked Floridian waters more than 300 years ago.

Even past generations of downtown denizens who used to walk past the iconic, sincedemolished Maas Brothers building in downtown Tampa felt seen. One part of the store’s concrete facades now occupies a heavily fortified wall in the history center stairwell.

The famed shopping destination closed in 1991, but when news of the structure’s destruction reached the History Center in 2006, staff quickly contacted the demolition company who used their cranes to help the team preserve nearly all of the sign. KitePowell didn’t notice it until a day later, but part of the second “A” in “Maas,” was missing.

“I went back the next morning, but the building was on top of it. They tore the rest of it down that night,” he says, illustrating how much history we lose every day.

For the most part though, the History Center helps visitors fill in the blanks. Behind the scenes in the high-security, unmarked collection storage area lies even more archival material waiting for a turn on the floor. Some of that made it into two separate-but-related temporary exhibits which tracks the evolution of the Bay area during the ups and downs of the 1920s.

“Decade of Change: Florida in the 1920s” does it with interactive elements—a tutorial on the foxtrot dance craze, and a Pentecostal tent revival—and with artifacts like underwear

→ Above: Rodney Kite-Powell sifts through the archives inside the Tampa Bay History Center’s 60,000 square feet.

→ One of the several exhibits on display.

worn by the mother of late Tampa Tribune journalist Leland Hawes and blueprints for local landmarks like the Tampa Theatre.

Across the hall at “Sharps & Marks in Paradise: Selling Florida in the 1920s,” gems from the history center’s Touchton map library show how developers and planners during the Florida land boom of 1920-1930 hoped to expand neighborhoods and roads as the state’s population skyrocketed— kind of like how it’s growing right now.

“There are incredible parallels to the 1920s and the 2020s, and you can only hope that they don’t end in the same way, right? Because it wasn’t good,” Kite-Powell says, alluding to the Great Depression while noting there are more safeguards in place now.

Outside the History Center, anyone can see the promise being poured into Water Street Tampa. The museum itself even changed its address—now 801 Water St.—to further plant a flag on its plot of land.

And as another 1.2 million people walk down the Riverwalk towards the History Center, Kite-Powell simply hopes anyone who walks through its doors can take a break from daily life and leave with a better appreciation for the neighborhood, whether they live here, are just visiting, or happen to be part of a family that’s been Tampeño for generations.

He wants visitors to be able to appreciate new development, but also adopt an ability to see past it and reflect on those who came before them.

“Why they were here, what they did here. Their struggles and successes—all of those things,” Kite-Powell says. “It’s very cliche, but you can learn from that. There are lessons in history that can be beneficial for us as we are planning our future and living our present.”

Wellness at Water Street Tampa

Taking care of oneself is demanding.

BY Salomé Gómez Upegui

Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, taking care of ourselves has never been more important. From managing demanding work schedules to navigating personal lives, it’s common to feel stretched thin, often neglecting our own well-being in the process. On that note, carving out space and time to practice self-care is essential, yet finding the right places and spaces can often feel like adding another task to our endless to-do list.

Luckily, in the vibrant landscape of Water Street Tampa, a burgeoning wellness culture is taking root. From retailers focused on holistic

health to innovative outdoor fitness activations open to the public, Water Street Tampa has become a hub for those seeking opportunities to enhance their well-being. Whether you’re on a quest for rejuvenating experiences or places dedicated to promoting physical and mental wellness, the neighborhood offers a rich variety of options that cater to everyone’s journey toward optimal balance, relaxation, and vitality.

Below, we make your life easier, highlighting an array of wonderful destinations and experiences shaping the wellness landscape of our dynamic coastal community.

THE COVERY WELLNESS SPA

615 Channelside Drive

Whether you’re seeking relaxation, rejuvenation, or transformation, The Covery Wellness Spa is the perfect place for individuals to embark on a journey toward optimal health, beauty, and performance. With a holistic approach to well-being, The Covery offers a range of rejuvenating treatments and personalized services divided into four categories: live, glow, perform, and evolve. Therapies under the “live” category are focused on general wellness and include everything from guided meditations to red light therapy. Those under the “glow” theme focus on esthetic treatments, such as body sculpting and facials. “Perform” services like cold and compression therapies, enhance physical performance, and promote faster recovery times, while treatments under the “evolve” category are designed to optimize health at a cellular level through cutting-edge services like ozone therapy and peptides.

BEVELUP MEDSPA

3720 Midtown Drive

Set to open its second Tampa location soon within Water Street Tampa, BevelUp strives to set the gold standard for facial treatments. “Guests visiting BevelUp can anticipate a modern luxury medspa experience, where every detail, from the signature scent to being greeted by our welcoming team with a collagen-boosting drink, is designed to enhance their well-being and provide a transformative experience,” says Founder and President Rashae Doyle. “Our team is dedicated to ensuring each visitor leaves feeling rejuvenated, more confident in their appearance, and exceptionally satisfied.”

At BevelUp, guests can choose from plenty of services, though according to Doyle, their HydraFacial and Sculptra treatments are some of the most popular amongst their recurring customers. “A HydraFacial is a popular skin treatment that uses advanced, patented technology to cleanse, extract, and hydrate the skin,” Doyle explains. The Sculptra, on the other hand, is an injectable treatment meant to “gradually replenish lost volume and improve skin elasticity, resulting in a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance,” she adds.

MINILUXE AT WATER STREET TAMPA

1053 E Cumberland Ave

A Boston-based company with franchises all around the country, including one in Water Street Tampa, MiniLuxe is known for providing ethical and high-quality self-care services with a unique focus on nail care and waxing.

Whether it’s a soothing manicure, a luxurious pedicure, waxing, or other esthetic services like eyebrow treatments, each experience at MiniLuxe offers a chance to unwind and treat yourself while knowing all ingredients used are hyperclean and free of the many toxins and fumes often found at run-off-the-mill nail salons. What’s more, you get to feel good and do good, supporting a company on a mission to transform the nail care industry by empowering employees, supporting their economic independence, and celebrating their creative abilities.

SIP & DRY BLOW-DRY BAR

1045 E Cumberland Ave

With a highly successful location in St. Petersburg and a new location in Water Street Tampa, Sip & Dry is a blow-dry bar that aims to create a fun and relaxing environment for guests to socialize and feel their best. Offering quick blowouts or wash and style services for any occasion, as well as makeup services, guests can indulge in a free drink of champagne or wine and are also welcome to purchase a wide range of drinks, including mimosas, bellinis, or even bottle service, for those in the mood to go big.

The new salon in Water Street Tampa features 12 hair styling chairs, six makeup chairs, fabulous design features perfect for Instagram, and an exclusive champagne and wine bar. “After establishing a successful customer base in St. Pete, we saw a great opportunity to expand and provide Tampa residents with their own topof-the-line blow dry bar,” said Nick and Blair Hiller, co-owners of Sip & Dry, in a recent press release. “We are excited for our patrons to arrive in style, receive hair and makeup treatments, and relax with a cocktail,” they added.

BE WELL

Complimentary Wellness Class Series at Water Street Tampa

Led by expert instructors and held in accessible outdoor spaces, the Be Well class series, held at Water Street Tampa, provides a welcoming environment for participants of all fitness levels to explore new practices and cultivate a greater sense of wellness (those interested in joining should note previous registration online is required). Whether you’re seeking to stay fit or practice some self-care, this series offers a valuable opportunity to prioritize your health and vitality in the heart of a thriving community.

Collaborations are varied, featuring beloved fitness studios of the neighborhood such as Orangetheory Fitness, BodyRok, and F45 Training. “We host a 45-minute boot camp once per month every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6:15PM located at Sparkman Wharf on the lawn,” says Liberty Deskin, Studio Manager at F45 Training in Sparkman Wharf. People can reserve spots for our boot camps through Eventbrite, and all our boot camps are completely free and open to everyone.” Attendees can expect a 45-minute HIIT workout consisting of strength, cardio, and core with great music to get them pumped up for the workout, adds Deskin, plus two certified personal trainers instructing each class.

Whether you’re here for the week or the long haul, in Water Street Tampa you’re bound to find a way to be well.

→ Above and previous page: Water Street Tampa’s Be Well Class Series.

Empowerment is beautiful.

MiniLuxe was founded with a vision to radically change the nail care industry through a brand committed to the highest quality self-care services, safer and more sustainable products, and cleaner studio environments and practices. From the beginning, our focus has been on doing what is best, not what is standard. MiniLuxe at

Gin Design Group Brings Fluidity and Warmth to New Concepts Ash and Alter Ego

It took awhile, but Proper House Group and Gin Braverman have finally brought their talents together.

In the last couple years, Water Street Tampa has emerged as the go-to destination for culinary enthusiasts in the city and surrounding region, boasting a vibrant restaurant and bar scene that caters to every preference and mood. Amidst this dynamic atmosphere, Ash and Alter Ego, the latest ventures by Tampa-based hospitality collective Proper House Group, have recently opened their doors to the public. Co-owned by Ferrell Alvarez, Ty Rodriguez, Chon Nguyen, and Myles Gallagher, Proper House Group is also behind local favorites such as Gallito Taqueria, Dang Dude, and Gorditos at Sparkman Wharf, as well as the beloved restaurant Rooster & the Till in the Seminole Heights neighborhood.

Designed by the award-winning Texasbased interior design studio Gin Design Group, Ash and Alter Ego both promise

one-of-a-kind experiences against stunning, albeit distinctly different, backdrops.

Located on the ground floor of the Asher building, Ash offers a full-service Italianinspired dining experience with light-filled interiors and a welcoming outdoor patio, while its neighboring counterpart, Alter Ego, stands out as a vibrant cocktail lounge offering small bites and an energetic musical experience in a moody, monochromatic venue.

Renowned Tampa-based chef Ferrell Alvarez first met the Founder and Creative Director of Gin Design Group, Gin Braverman, while traveling and cooking in a circuit called Chef’s Week that took him all around the United States. Braverman’s design studio was a sponsor of the initiative, and since Alvarez BY Salomé Gómez Upegui

cooked at these events often, they spoke frequently and quickly became friends.

“Ever since I encountered Gin’s work, I was super impressed by everything she did,” Alvarez says. “I had shared her work with my partners, but, quite frankly, up until this point, we hadn’t been in a position to bring Gin on board. However, when we had the opportunity to create Ash and Alter Ego, we finally found a way to make it happen financially, and we’re super glad we did.”

Hailing from Houston, Gin Design Group is a distinguished interior design firm with a specialized focus on crafting exceptional hospitality spaces. With an eye for detail and a deep understanding of the nuances of design, their expertise extends across a spectrum of establishments, encompassing restaurants, hotels, event venues, and retail spaces.

Explaining the concept and design behind Ash, founder Gin Braverman says the Water Street Tampa neighborhood was quite inspirational during the creative process. “We knew we wanted the restaurant to feel like it was supposed to be here—to organically fit into this neighborhood,” she says “And so, we pulled a lot of inspiration from the architecture around here, which has a very organic DNA, and we incorporated a lot of that into the space. It was also a very boxy space, so we wanted to have it flow a little more. We rounded everything we could, and that gave it a really nice softness.

“For instance, what began as a picture of a canopy on a nearby walkway, with its organic formation, has now become the inspiration for the canopy over the bar,” says Braverman. “The cloud-like shape of the bar canopy retains its organic essence, but with added metallic elements. We incorporated chrome and stainless steel, which transformed the canopy from a purely organic form to something with a bit more definition. It’s

→ Ash, the latest addition to Water Street Tampa’s bustling restaurant scene.

“We knew we wanted the restaurant to feel like it was supposed to be here—to organically fit into this neighborhood.”

intriguing how the addition of metallics provides a subtle silver lining to everything, lending a cool touch to the overall aesthetic,” she adds.

Separated by a simple wall, Alter Ego, on the other hand, offers a markedly different atmosphere to Ash. This distinction mainly arises from Alter Ego’s deliberate conception as a sister establishment designed to contrast the light and airy ambiance of Ash, hence inspiring the choice of its name.

“[Alter Ego] wasn’t originally part of the project,” explains Chon Nguyen. “But when the space became available, we began brainstorming names and that’s when we landed on Alter Ego, which I believe was the genesis for Gin’s design as well. When you look at the spaces and the contrast between them, it’s literally night and day.”

Braverman echos Nguyen’s thoughts, elaborating on how the contrasting atmospheres of the two establishments reflect their respective identities, offering patrons a choice between a bright, airy space and an intimate, mysterious setting. “Ash is light, with predominantly white and cream colors, while Alter Ego is dark, moody, and monochromatic, with unique metallic pops,” she says.

The creative approach to bring both establishments to life was a collaborative effort, with Alvarez and his partners expressing their vision to Gin Design Group, who translated it into captivating design concepts. Despite the contrasting aesthetics of Ash and Alter Ego, Braverman shares the

creative process for both establishments was mostly characterized by ease. “It was a pretty straightforward design process,” she says.

Meanwhile, Alvarez emphasized their reliance on Gin Design Group’s expertise, acknowledging their pivotal role in bringing the projects to fruition. He explained that, very early on, the group had envisioned certain color palettes and energetic designs. “Expressing that to Gin and then extrapolating what she took out of the conversation and putting together some initial imagery is how we kicked it off,” he says. “We stayed engaged in the process and voiced our opinions, but we definitely relied on Gin Design Group for expertise. After all, we hired them for a reason. And they got us to the finish line—the way you see it. It’s pretty impressive.”

As Ash and Alter Ego welcome guests through their doors, the team at Proper House Group continues to be impressed by the spaces they have created together. Gin Design Group’s contribution to the project has been key in shaping the unique identities of both establishments, ensuring they offer unforgettable experiences to patrons. With their innovative concepts and thoughtful design, Ash and Alter Ego add yet another dimension to Water Street Tampa’s thriving landscape, promising unforgettable experiences for years to come.

“Every time we walk into these spaces, we continue to be blown away by what we’ve built together,” says Nguyen. “Gin was certainly a huge part of that.”

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