The Mirasol Today

Strong Stewards & an Elegant Opportunity

Davis Islands residents, Frank & Lindsey Carriera, along with a group of investors, purchased The Mirasol in 2021. They are proud to have taken on this century-old jewel in Tampa’s History. As responsible stewards of The Mirasol, they have completed significant renovations in line with its historic specificities.

Current Investments

Like many historic properties on Davis Islands and throughout Tampa Bay, The Mirasol faces ongoing maintenance challenges, compounded in Fall 2024 when devastating Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck the area. The storm surge flooded the basements, and high winds damaged the façade, roof, and windows. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems were rendered inoperable, and a foot of water inundated the grand lobby. Restoring the building to its former elegance required a significant amount of time and financial investment.

With each measure to restore The Mirasol and its land, the owners have taken extra steps to harden it and make it more resilient against future storms. While they have chipped away at the causes of these storm intrusions, there is still much more that needs to be done.

Deteriorating Roof

New Roof on Main Tower

Community Focus

While The Mirasol began as a collection of glamorous hotel rooms, suites, and apartments more than 100 years ago, it has been renovated and utilized as rental apartment units since 1962.

The Carrieras have continued to manage and invest in this property in a way that preserves the intimate atmosphere of Davis Islands, while suiting the needs of their community, and showcasing the distinct elegance of this property. After Hurricanes Helene and Milton, many residents found themselves in need of new housing. These are some of the current tenants of The Mirasol.

Additionally, they have partnered with another well-known fixture in Tampa on Davis Islands. They have thoughtfully curated corporate rental units for the needs of a select collection of local businesses. One such example is that The Mirasol has established a partnership with Tampa General Hospital, regularly hosting patients and their families from across the country who are receiving critical care.

Unit Interior Renovations

Completed Unit Renovations

A Look Ahead

In the several years since the Carrieras accepted the responsibility of stewards of The Mirasol, we have seen intentional investments in restoring the property, while preserving the elegance and glamour of this 1926 Crown Jewel.

The Carrieras remain committed to guiding The Mirasol into its next chapter—one that reflects the needs and aspirations of the greater community. Their vision is to restore The Mirasol to its former glamour as a sophisticated Mediterranean Revival property, featuring bespoke hotel suites, luxurious waterfront condominiums, and intimate gathering spaces for Davis Islands residents.

INTRODUCED SHORT-TERM CORPORATE RENTALS

The current owners introduced corporate short-term rentals to better serve our local community. These thoughtfully designed accommodations provide a welcoming space for locals, Tampa General Hospital patients, their families, and visiting professionals, offering comfort and convenience in a time of need. The positive reception from our guests reaffirms our commitment to blending community support with timeless hospitality.

However, like many century-old properties, the scope of repairs, maintenance, and modernization has continued to grow. With the goal to ensure the Mirasol stands for the next hundred years, a significant investment and renovation of the property is necessary.

This need was exacerbated this October. Along with many others on Davis Islands and in Greater Tampa, The Mirasol suffered significant damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Storm surge flooded basements and wind damaged the façade, roof, and windows across the property. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing were out of service, as were both elevators in the building. The grand lobby was flooded with 12” of water. The wind broke windows, blew off roof tiles and caused water penetration through the building’s walls, windows and doors. Repairs are ongoing; however, the Mirasol remains at risk. The need for long-term repairs has grown, as has the urgency for those repairs.

Water levels reached above the door frame and elevator

This thermal video captures a striking visualization of the building's water concentration, with areas of concern highlighted in vivid purple. The footage reveals extensive moisture intrusion, emphasizing the building’s urgent need for repair. The thermal imaging underscores the severity of the damage, illustrating the critical areas that must be addressed to protect and preserve the structure for the future.