J.C. Newman restores Sanchez y Haya building, plans Thanksgiving opening

Historic Ybor City Building Nears Grand Opening

The $18 million restoration of the historic Sanchez y Haya building in Tampa's Ybor City is nearing completion, with a grand opening planned around Thanksgiving this year.

The project is led by J.C. Newman Cigar Company, Tampa's very oldest cigar factory, which launched the restoration in 2023. The restoration is now about six months away from its anticipated grand opening around Thanksgiving this year in Tampa, Florida.

Plans for the space include a full-service restaurant and a small hotel on the second floor, creating about 80 jobs, with recruitment efforts already beginning in the building.

Once a vibrant neighborhood staple, the building housed a dive bar, a grocery store, and a boarding house for many years. It served generations of residents during Tampa's cigar industry boom in the early twentieth century and helped shape the city.

The first cigar in Tampa was rolled nearly 140 years ago by Sanchez y Haya, helping lay the foundation for an industry that would transform the city.

Preservation Effort Restores Historic Character

Drew Newman, a fourth-generation member of the Newman family, said the team is putting all historic elements back into the building. Our hope is that when we finish the restoration, it will look and feel just like it did in 1910.

Developers are using archival photos and historical records to recreate the building's original character, down to its materials and design details as closely as they possibly can.

Crews have been working meticulously, repairing brick, restoring mortar, and preserving original features by hand to meet strict historic standards. The building holds architectural significance as one of Tampa's earliest concrete structures, according to local preservation officials in the region.

Drew Newman said they have located a number of descendants of the original Sanchez family who built the building and shared old photos and stories with us.

The project aims to restore the building's original purpose as a place to gather, dine, and stay once again for locals. The restoration is expected to create about 80 new jobs, with recruitment efforts already beginning in the local Tampa area.

Community Revival and Job Creation Ahead

The restored building will feature a full-service restaurant and a small hotel on the second floor, bringing back its original gathering purpose once again for the community.

Developers say the project will create about 80 jobs, and recruitment efforts are already beginning for the new restaurant and hotel. The building once housed a dive bar, a grocery store, and a boarding house, serving generations during Tampa's cigar boom.

Crews have been working meticulously, repairing brick, restoring mortar, and preserving original features by hand to meet strict historic preservation standards in Ybor City each day.

The building holds architectural significance as one of Tampa's earliest concrete structures, according to local preservation officials in the region. The first cigar in Tampa was rolled 140 years ago by Sanchez y Haya, laying the foundation for a transformative industry.

The restoration is expected to bring new life to the historic building, honoring its legacy while serving the community once again in Ybor City for many years.