Balbin Brothers Cigar Company

This is a BEAUTIFUL old cigar factory building on Howard Avenue just south of 275. Peeps think of Ybor and cigars, but West Tampa was big time too with its own factories and social clubs. Argosy University renovated one just a block or two up the street even closer to I275 and there is another armory red brick turreted one visible a few blocks south from this site. More on Armenia.
This one is for sale and let’s hope someone readapts it and brings it back to life! It has beautiful polychrome brickwork, arches above to windows, and other neat features. While Mayor Bob Buckhorn is pushing for a multi billion dollar boondoggle tolld road down the middle of 275 scheme, these historic and gorgeous buidlings at the historical heart of Tampa are deteriorating. We can do better.