Richard Gonzmart, owner of the historic Columbia Restaurant, has been chosen to lead a $2 million renovation of Downtown Tampa's longstanding Water Works building.
Along with his partner, Bill Rain of Metro Real Estate, Gonzmart hopes to transform this red brick, warehouse structure into a premier seafood restaurant planned to be called Ciao's. The eatery will come complete with an oyster bar and outside cafe overlooking the Hillsborough River.
Gonzmart and Rain were hoping to open this new seafood restaurant, tentatively titled Ciao's, in time for the Republican National Convention in August, but now, the end of the year is the goal they're shooting for.
City officials must still negotiate a formal development deal with Gonzmart and Rain as well which will then require approval from Tampa's City Council.
The Water Works building sits at 1804 N. Highlands Ave., just a couple blocks north of the Straz Center in Downtown Tampa. It also sits next to the 5-acre Water Works Park which plays home to Ulele Springs, a longstand source of fresh drinking water for the Tampa area.
Along with the recently announced extension plans for the Downtown Tampa Riverwalk, this Water Works Building renovation comes as great news for those seeking new things to do in Downtown Tampa.
