Casa Bomberos

Constructed in 1888, Casa Bomberos served as Tampa Fire Station #2 until 1924, making it the city's oldest surviving firehouse. Today, it stands as a cherished landmark in Ybor City’s Historic District. As the primary designer for this historic preservation and adaptive reuse project, my goal was to breathe new life into Casa Bomberos while respecting its history.

 

Structural challenges, including an aging brick facade, required innovative solutions to work round the X-shaped steel supports and integrate modern amenities while preserving the building's historic character. To highlight the building’s layers of history and evolution over the years, we made a conscious effort to preserve and showcase its architectural nuances, such as infilled windows and remnants of past modifications. Highlighting Casa Bomberos' significance within Ybor's Historic District and following historic preservation guidelines, I was able to advocate for the restoration of windows along the property line to Ybor City's Barrio Latino Commission.

​

As the project nears completion, I am filled with a sense of pride and anticipation, eager to witness the culmination of our efforts in preserving and revitalizing this iconic piece of Tampa's history.