Myth vs. Fact
Thank you for your interest in The Mirasol. Below outlines the myths and questions we have heard from members of the community with the most updated facts and answers provided. If you don’t see your question answered, please contact us using the form below.
THE MYTH
The Mirasol will create much more additional traffic. Its impacts require a traffic light.
THE FACTS
This is not correct. The need for a new traffic signal to be installed on the Island is determined by analysis of existing traffic volumes by the City of Tampa.
Expert traffic engineers have studied the impact on street traffic based on The Mirasol’s plans. These engineers have found there will be no significant increase in vehicle trips on Davis Blvd and no impact to the surrounding intersection performance as a result of the proposed changes to the property. Based on the engineering assessment, at the peak hour of traffic, fewer than 70 cars will be added to the road over that hour.
THE MYTH
The proposed project will create terrible congestion on Adalia Ave.
THE FACTS
This is not correct. The Mirasol team listened to the concerns of the neighborhood and has committed to ensuring the impact on neighbors is minimal and supporting ease of access into and out of Adalia Ave., Baltic Cir., and the other residential streets nearby. Revised plans removed a parking access curb cut on Adalia Ave. Also, parking for the property on Adalia Ave. will be limited to the building’s full-time residents, and their guests, of that building located there.
THE MYTH
The project will make cars go through the “A Streets” and adjacent residential roads.
THE FACTS
This is not correct. The Mirasol team listened to the concerns of the neighborhood and revised the building plans to avoid this from happening. Specifically, the valet parking and hotel parking is now entirely provided in the south “wing” accessed from Davis Blvd.
THE FACTS
This is not correct. Proposed valet operations have never included parking cars in the on-street spaces on Adalia Ave. In addition, The Mirasol team listened to the concerns of the neighborhood and revised its plans to remove valet operations from Adalia Ave altogether. The valet parking will be off Davis Blvd located in the new south “wing.”
THE MYTH
The valet will park off of Adalia Ave.
THE MYTH
Parking will overflow onto residential neighborhood streets.
THE FACTS
The Mirasol has included adequate parking in its plan for its demand. Guests of the Mirasol will not be permitted to park along the surrounding neighborhood streets. Current parking is monitored and enforced for residents of The Mirasol (a practice that began with the new ownership in 2021), and ownership intends to continue this. In addition, The Mirasol’s contingency plan for any limited excessive parking need is to provide dedicated off-site parking at other existing parking lots in Tampa and transport guests to and from the property, as needed.
The Mirasol supports any community-driven effort to create DI-only resident parking restrictions on residential roads, as exists in other Tampa neighborhoods.
THE MYTH
The hotel will operate 24/7. It will bring constant noise.
THE FACTS
The Mirasol currently operates 24/7 as a residential property that is professionally managed and has never received any noise complaints under the current ownership. The Mirasol will continue to observe the City of Tampa’s noise ordinances. It will limit the hours that the outdoor spaces can be utilized and will have 24/7 on-site enforcement. The primary event space on the property, just as it was 100 years ago, will be indoors. This boutique hotel will operate a relatively low number of luxury hotel rooms and suites (118 rooms). As is common with other small luxury hotel properties, these guests will share an interest in a tranquil, serene environment.
In a further effort to reduce neighborhood noise, trash collection and the loading dock will be relocated from their current location off of Adalia Ave to a new, dedicated and enclosed space along Davis Blvd.
THE MYTH
Commercial use will destroy the residential character of Davis Islands; the project is out scale with Davis Islands Urban Village.
THE FACTS
The Mirasol has a distinct connection to Davis Islands, dating back a century. The existing historic property, which includes a seven-story tower, has been part of the fabric of Davis Islands community since its inception, built by the Island’s namesake himself, DP Davis. The Mirasol was an amenity and a luxury that drew residents to the Islands with a magnificent dining and social gathering space offered in the close-knit community.
This project is a beautiful nod to Davis Islands’ history, stewarded by DI residents as the managers of The Mirasol. Returning The Mirasol to its original use and authenticity will enhance and expand the quality of life of Davis Islands.
The Mirasol’s renovations fully restore the existing tower and wings in the same scale and density and add two new wings that step down from the existing structure to the neighborhoods.
THE MYTH
The proposed project is out of scale with the underlying residential zoning and future land use code.
THE FACTS
No, The Mirasol building itself is an existing structure causing no change to the character or scale of the neighborhood. The land currently is zoned RM-35 and future land use code R-50. In code this is defined as, “intended for high-density residential developments… expected to embrace an urban form and prioritize pedestrian accessibility.” The planned project is below the density and intensity allowed by existing zoning.
THE MYTH
The project will make flooding worse.
THE FACTS
No, the Mirasol will be renovated in a way that is more sustainable and physically hardened for a stronger building and a neighborhood. Specific to street flooding, there are two existing, impervious asphalt surface parking lots that will be replaced with structures designed to meet current, enhanced stormwater regulations. The result will be an improvement in onsite stormwater retention and a reduction in stormwater that flows onto surrounding neighborhood streets.
THE MYTH
The Mirasol is operating as an illegal Airbnb and has created safety concerns due to rowdy behaviors of Airbnb guests.
THE FACTS
No, the Mirasol currently offers 9 short-term rental units with a minimum 7-night stay, which is legal under City ordinance and State law. These units are registered and licensed by the City of Tampa. Property Managers have not received any complaints due to perceived safety concern or unruly behavior. Primarily, these units are utilized by local residents (e.g. DI residents whose homes are undergoing renovations) and Tampa General Hospital employees, patients, and their families. In 2024, the average length of stay in these units was 17-nights (the 2025 YTD average length of stay is 13.4 nights).
THE MYTH
The marina is being illegally used for commercial purposes.
THE FACTS
No, The Mirasol is not a commercial marina. It has had private slips as part of the property for at least 60 years. The marina includes 15 slips rented to Davis Islands residents on a monthly basis. There are no commercial boating slips, water taxis, or boat-sharing services.
There have been numerous frivolous lawsuits and code enforcement requests filed by one individual alleging an illegal commercial marina use. These have been repeatedly thrown out by the City of Tampa.
THE MYTH
This renovation is not necessary to save it. The Mirasol does not need to be converted to a hotel to save it.
THE FACTS
Unfortunately, this is incorrect. Across the country, we have seen many examples of beautiful, historic architecture from a time passed shuttered, because these buildings require an incredible amount of consistent maintenance, thus financial costs. We are fortunate to have a magnificent plan to base this project on - the 100-year-old, original plan. Creating an intimate, luxurious mix of glamorous hotel rooms and suites with high-end long-term housing and a common gathering space as a common amenity offers The Mirasol a sustainable mechanism to continue to maintain this important landmark in the City’s history. The high cost of damage restoration caused by the 2024 Hurricane Season only exacerbated this need for a sustainable model and the need to make these improvements swiftly.
Mirasol FAQ
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The Mirasol is owned by Davis Islands resident Frank Carriera, along with a group of local Tampa investors.
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The Mirasol was built as a hotel nearly a century ago, when it served as an amenity and gathering place for the Davis Islands community. Setting new standards for quality and elegance, the Mirasol helped create the Davis Islands Tampa knows today.
The Mirasol was converted into apartments in 1962, and since then it has remained an architectural gem. However, the Mirasol needs significant investment to modernize the building systems, preserve its architectural character, and make it more resilient for the next 100 years.
After evaluating numerous opportunities on how to most effectively restore and preserve The Mirasol, the ownership team has determined that restoring it to an elegant community-oriented hotel, along with a limited number of private residences, is the most feasible option.
This necessary investment was reinforced this past October, when Hurricanes Helene and Milton impacted the Tampa Bay region. Along with many other homes and businesses on Davis Islands, The Mirasol suffered significant damage from flooding, storm surge, and wind. The storms were a reminder of the urgency of making investments in the building today and ensuring the Mirasol remains an icon on Davis Islands for the next 100 years.
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While The Mirasol was originally built as a hotel, zoning regulations subsequently limited the use of the property to residential only. It will need to be re-zoned to allow for hotel use on the site.
Today, the site is zoned RM-35, allowing for medium-high density multi-family residential with a 120’ height limit.
Re-zoning the Mirasol will be done through a “Planned Development (PD)”, which was filed on March 11, 2025. This process allows for zoning changes that recognize unique conditions and promoted planned diversification of uses.
The PD will define key criteria for the project, setting the specific allowed uses, maximum area, height, parking, and other key elements to ensure the project will be compatible with the neighborhood and city standards.
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As with most early-stage projects, the exact timeline for redevelopment is contingent upon the re-zoning process and market conditions. The Mirasol will undergo a significant interior and exterior restoration and renovation process before it can reopen as a hotel.
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The ownership team envisions the hotel as a boutique, luxurious property with an independent and locally oriented experience. Discussions with potential hotel brands have started and will continue as more is learned through the community outreach and rezoning process.
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Our current residents are welcome to remain at The Mirasol as we work through the initial planning process. We will remain open and transparent with them as we work through planning and rezoning. The eventual restoration and redevelopment of The Mirasol will take time, and ample notice will be provided to our residents in the event they need to relocate during the renovation process.
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The restored Mirasol Hotel is envisioned to have luxurious amenities reminiscent of those it had when it first opened in 1926, including a restaurant, rooftop lounge (“sky garden”) with panoramic views -- along with many modern-day features and services such as a full-service spa and wellness programs, a tranquil pool, and concierge service.
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If The Mirasol is not rezoned to allow for a hotel, the future of the property is uncertain. The conversion to a hotel, and the associated building improvements and upgraded systems, are necessary to sustain the building. The repairs needed will require the building to be vacant. It is not financially feasible to make those necessary improvements if it remains an apartment community.
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No taxpayer dollars will be used to renovate or redevelop The Mirasol. In fact, The Mirasol’s redevelopment will increase tax revenue for the city in the future. The project budget will depend on the exact timeline and construction start dates. This will be a significant investment in Davis Islands and a long-term commitment to the community.
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Once restored as a hotel, The Mirasol will be an amenity that will be open to the immediate neighbors and the greater Davis Islands community. Currently, the property is restricted to residents.
By preserving the historic tower and limiting the scale and density of any new additions, the length and impact of the construction will be significantly less than a typical new development.
Per the traffic study produced for the rezoning process, The Mirasol redevelopment’s traffic will have no impact on the level of service or performance of any of the surrounding intersections on the site. The project is also providing nearly twice as much on-site parking for residents, guests, employees and visitors. An access drive is proposed along Davis Blvd. ensuring that hotel drop off traffic will not impact cars on Davis Blvd. Loading and trash will be relocated from their current location on Adalia Avenue to an enclosed trash and loading space accessed off of Davis Blvd, mitigating noise and keeping trucks off neighborhood streets.
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The docks will remain in its current configuration as a private recreational facility. There will be no commercial use. When the current ownership team purchased the property in 2021, the marina was in significant disrepair and a liability for the property and marina users. The owners were required to work with the Tampa Bay Port Authority to pull an emergency work permit to rebuild the marina to the condition it is in today.
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The current plans include approximately 117 covered parking spaces on the site, an increase of over 53 spaces from the current asphalt parking lots on the property. Through detailed studies of other hotels in Hyde Park, Ybor City, West Shore and in other markets, the project team is confident this is more than adequate for the projected future use. he residential parking, residential guest parking, and employee parking all are in accordance with the current code and are included within the demand calculations.
The ownership team also fully supports Davis Islands resident-only parking restrictions on Adalia and Baltic, to the extent desired by the community, and will work with the community however they are able.
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The final number of future employees will be determined with the hotel brand and operating partners after the rezoning process advances. We estimate 35 full time employees as part of our rezoning filing, and that the hotel to be a significant contributor the local economy through jobs, sales and hotel use taxes, and property taxes.
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Our intent is to position the Mirasol as a luxury boutique hotel, aligning with the character and quality of the homes and community on Davis Islands. While room rates will be established when the hotel is near opening, they are expected to mirror the rates of nearby high-quality hotels.
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The Mirasol façade will be restored and preserved, ensuring it’s character and iconic design remain part of Davis Islands! Fortunately, many historic images and records will be a reference point for the restoration process. The renovation will take place alongside the conversion project. As the building was originally a hotel, the interior spaces and rooms work very well with the exterior window locations, resulting in very few architectural alterations.
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Please sign up for updates below and ask your neighbors to also support the project. We will share updates on the website and upcoming public events and meetings. We believe The Mirasol, once restored, will be an amazing destination and amenity for the community. The enthusiastic support of our neighbors will be necessary to successfully realize this vision. Thank you!