Owners Filed for Mirasol Building Demolition
The owners of the Davis Islands apartment complex sought a permit to raze the historic site following failed rezoning.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Apartments
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The owners of the 56,507-square-foot Mirasol building in Tampa have filed for a demolition permit after being denied a request to rezone the property for a boutique hotel. The 1.6-acre waterfront site currently houses 58 apartments and does not hold a local historic designation.
Why it matters
The owners contend that restoring the building is not financially viable under its current Residential-50 land-use designation. They argue the value of the waterfront land exceeds that of the existing structure, leading them to seek clearance for the site.
The property spans 1.6 acres on Davis Islands and contains 58 apartments within a 56,507-square-foot structure. The owners previously proposed a 110- to 118-room boutique hotel for the site.
The players
Frank and Lindsey Carriera
These individuals are the current owners of the Mirasol property who purchased the site in 2021.
Tampa City Council
This is the local governing body that holds authority over zoning changes and land-use designations in the city.
The details
Constructed in 1926 and converted into apartments in the 1960s, the building suffered structural and mechanical damage during hurricanes in 2024. The owners previously brought a hotel proposal before the Tampa City Council, which was denied on January 15, 2026, after a 5.5-hour hearing featuring 100 speakers.
Timeline
The Mirasol building was constructed in 1926.
The hotel was converted into apartments in the 1960s.
The current owners purchased the property in 2021.
Hurricanes caused structural and mechanical damage in 2024.
City Council denied the hotel development proposal on January 15, 2026.
Culture Shift
The push to raze the Mirasol highlights the ongoing tension between preserving legacy architecture and maximizing property values in prime waterfront locations. This move reflects a broader trend where developers prioritize land utility over the renovation of aging residential stock.
Residents currently living in the 58 apartment units face potential displacement if the demolition permit is granted and the project proceeds. Neighbors on Davis Islands may also see significant changes to the local aesthetic and neighborhood density if the waterfront site is cleared for future redevelopment.
The takeaway
The move to demolish the Mirasol serves as a reminder of how zoning laws dictate the lifespan of older urban structures. Property owners frequently seek to dissolve existing residential use when building restorations cannot match the potential market value of vacant land.
Further reading
Learn more about the local rental market and residential development in the Tampa Apartments section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tampa Bay Business & Wealth.
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