From Miami and Palm Beach to Naples and Amelia Island -- even Orlando -- meeting planners looking for luxurious destinations have always had lots of options in Florida. Historically, Tampa has not been one of them. That's about to change, however, thanks to Marriott International and boutique hotelier Ian Schrager of Studio 54 fame, who last week announced plans to open a new EDITION hotel there in 2021.
Located on Water Street in downtown Tampa, the Tampa EDITION will be part of Water Street Tampa, a multi-phased urban development project that includes more than 9 million square feet of commercial, residential, hospitality, educational, entertainment, cultural, and retail space. The city's first five-star hotel, it will have 173 guest rooms inside a 26-story tower where there also will be a rooftop pool and bar, a high-end restaurant, and an expansive spa and fitness center.
It's not clear whether the property will have meeting space.
"We are constantly seeking collaborators that will build upon, enhance, and exceed our original vision for Water Street Tampa, and we found that with Marriott International and Ian Schrager Co.," said James Nozar, CEO of Strategic Property Partners (SPP), Water Street Tampa's developer. "We knew EDITION was the right brand that would create a truly unique hospitality experience in Tampa, which further elevates the neighborhood and community for visitors and city residents."
Added Kevin Montano, senior vice president for global development, EDITION and W Hotels, Marriott International, "We are thrilled that our EDITION brand, in addition to our JW Marriott brand, will become part of SPP's exciting vision for downtown Tampa. The EDITION brand is known for timeless design, uncompromising quality, and impeccable modern service, and the property is sure to become a significant cultural and hospitality hub in Water Street Tampa."
SPP also has announced plans to open Tampa's first JW Marriott hotel in 2020, and to completely renovate the existing, 727-room Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina in 2019. Together, those two hotels -- also part of Water Street Tampa -- will create the largest collection of hotel rooms and meeting space in the Tampa Bay area, with 1,246 rooms and 150,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
As for EDITION, Marriott originally unveiled the brand in January 2008, but stalled development plans when hotel financing dried up in late 2008 and 2009. It opened its first EDITION hotel in Honolulu in 2010 (what is now The Modern Honolulu) and currently has hotels in London, New York, Miami Beach, and Sanya, China. Future hotels are underway in Bangkok; Abu Dhabi; Shanghai; Barcelona; Times Square in New York; West Hollywood; Bodrum; Reykjavik, Iceland; Bali; Dubai; and Singapore.