A Remarkable History
Since its inception, the Mirasol has been woven into the century-long fabric of Davis Island. In the early 1920s, D.P. Davis acquired the two islands. Mr. Davis hired the famed Miami architect Martin Hampton to design a Mediterranean Revival-style property as the centerpiece of these Islands.
Davis and Hampton’s vision cost $750,000 to construct at the time, with newspaper articles heralding the hotel rooms as “magnificent,” and the building as a “palatial structure,” as well as “one of the finest of its kind in all of Florida.”
In 1926, this property first opened its doors as The Mirasol. Among the glamorous salmon-colored properties exemplary of this period in Florida, The Mirasol was comprised of a seven-story tower with two three-story wings on this pristine, waterfront land. The Mirasol offered a selection of luxurious rooms for both guests and residents, including traditional hotel rooms, suites, and apartments. Beyond these bespoke offerings, the addition of high-end social and dining amenities was available for the Davis Islands community. The Mirasol also offered the “Sky Garden” amenity space. In keeping with the Mediterranean-Revival style, the Sky Garden was a first-of-its-kind rooftop terrace for the state, formally extending the formal space outdoors.
With the passing of D.P. Davis, The Mirasol was sold in 1931 and went through several owners over the following decades. The glamour of this waterfront icon remained, with much of the exquisite architecture and interior detailing preserved through this time. These owners held true to the property's beautiful beginnings as Davis Island grew around it.
Throughout these years, a highlight in Davis Island's history was the Thanksgiving celebration at The Mirasol Hotel. It was known as a delightful and elegant affair, offering a lavish seven-course meal for just $2.00. Guests enjoyed a wide selection of gourmet dishes, from starters to dessert, beginning their experience with the authentic coastal luxury of an oyster course.
As the economy and country changed through the 1950s and 1960s, so too did The Mirasol. In 1962, The Mirasol was ultimately converted into private apartments, with the restaurant, sky garden, and lobby no longer available to the community. For decades to come, The Mirasol became home to many in the Tampa community, including University of Tampa students, Tampa General Hospital employees, and patients’ families, as well as residents at every stage of life.
In 2021, the longtime Tampa family and Davis Islands residents, the Carrieras, brought together a group of investors to purchase the property to continue the legacy of The Mirasol and to restore the property to its original mission and beauty. They are managing the property and rental units while preserving the building for future use.
Alongside many in Davis Islands, the 2024 Hurricane Season caused significant damage to The Mirasol. The Carrieras have restored the property damage, but it has marked the beginning of The Mirasol’s next chapter. We look forward to The Mirasol, which embodies its enduring mission with its historic glamour, now 100 years old, and what it can be for the next century.