Welcome to Mirasol Facts
A community resource about the Mirasol’s true history, its role on Davis Islands, and how it has evolved over the last century.
The Mirasol has been part of Davis Islands since 1926, standing through land booms, foreclosures, ownership changes, and decades of quiet residential use. This site brings together historical records, newspaper archives, valuation documents, and architectural information to give neighbors a clear, accurate picture of:
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How the Mirasol was originally built and operated
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Why early Davis Islands hotels struggled and failed
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How the Mirasol became a stable apartment building for 60+ years
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How today’s proposals compare to its historical scale and use
Our goal is to provide fact-based, accessible information — so that everyone on Davis Islands
can better understand where the Mirasol came from, what it has been, and what is being
proposed for its future.
The Hotel History of the Mirasol.
Built during Tampa’s 1920s land boom, the Mirasol was envisioned as a Mediterranean Revival apartment-hotel for winter residents. Like other Davis Islands hotels of the era, it opened with high expectations and quickly encountered financial trouble.
This section traces the Mirasol’s early history from its 1926 opening and rapid financial collapse through foreclosure, court findings, and its eventual transition into the stable apartment building neighbors recognize today.
The Apartment Years
After decades of unsuccessful use as an apartment-hotel, the Mirasol was purchased in 1962 and comprehensively rehabilitated into permanent residential apartments. Rather than demolish the structure, the new owners invested heavily in preserving the historic exterior while fully rebuilding the interior for long-term residential use.
This section documents the City-approved conversion process, including zoning actions, permit reviews, site improvements, and the extensive renovation that established the Mirasol as a stable residential property for more than sixty years.
January 15 City Council Hearings: Two Votes, Two Different Outcomes
In January, City Council is being asked to make two separate decisions regarding the Mirasol. One is a Land Use Amendment that would permanently change what the site is allowed to become. The other is a rezoning decision tied to a specific redevelopment plan.
This section explains the difference between these votes, why only one of them is irreversible, and why the decision before Council is about land use and scale rather than demolition or preservation messaging.
Myth vs Fact: A Plain-English Reality Check
Public messaging around the Mirasol redevelopment relies heavily on “myths and facts” intended to reassure neighbors. This section examines those claims alongside what is actually being requested through City approvals, zoning waivers, and operational assumptions.
Each topic breaks down what is being said, what is missing or implied, and why those gaps matter to Davis Islands residents who will live with the long-term impacts on traffic, parking, noise, flooding, and neighborhood character.
Our Mission
This website exists to provide clear, fact-based information about the Mirasol and its history on Davis Islands. We present public records, historical sources, and regulatory context so neighbors can better understand past use, current conditions, and what is being proposed. Our goal is transparency, not advocacy, so the community can make informed decisions.