The Iconic Floridan Palace: A Jewel in Our Portfolio
The Floridan Palace, now rebranded as Hotel Flor + Dan, is more than just a hotel – it’s a testament to timeless elegance and architectural magnificence. Originally opened in 1927, it stood as the tallest building in Tampa until 1966, a beacon of grandeur and sophistication. Its significance in our portfolio is immense, a project that challenged us to balance the rich history of the building with modern design elements, creating a space that’s both classic and contemporary.
Restoring the Palace: Classic Sophistication Reimagined
All images by Robert Benson
Our renovation of the palace was undertaken in phases, beginning with the restaurant and model rooms, followed by the public areas and guest rooms. We aimed to restore the interior to its original beauty, simplifying the color palette to black, gray, and white, punctuated with splashes of color. The goal was to let the architectural elements from the 1920s shine through, creating a glamorous, unified space that invites admiration.
An Emphasis on Ornate Ceilings and Natural Light
One of the most breathtaking features of the Floridan Palace is its ornate ceilings in the Lobby and Crystal Ballroom. Initially presented in a mix of pastel colors, we changed the design to incorporate white gloss paint. This shift dramatically transformed the hotel’s personality, elevating its design and casting fabulous shadows that added depth to the original ceiling. Additionally, we removed several decorative wood grills covering the spectacular arched windows to let in more natural light and showcase the beauty of these original features.
Modern Touches in Lighting and Artwork
We replaced brass chandeliers and light fixtures with more modern black iron designs, tying in the existing black iron and gold railings in a masculine way. This change, coupled with the spectacular artwork package designed with Kevin Barry Fine Art, helped tie the entire design together. The custom carpet design, created in collaboration with Shaw Hospitality Carpets, was another key element that seamlessly connected old and new.
The Transformative Power of Design
The corridors leading to the stunning guestrooms and suites underwent a significant transformation through a different carpet design, paint, custom lighting, and signage.
The guestrooms feature fully custom-designed case goods, seating, lighting, and artwork.
Our bathroom design includes all-new black plumbing fixtures and accents, a gorgeous lit vanity mirror, and a combination of new & old floor tile. We also designed custom vanities to accommodate the variations in plumbing locations in each room.
A Memorable Experience for All
The Floridan Palace isn’t just a hotel – it’s an experience.
Its unique blend of historical charm and modern design has made it a hot spot for Instagram photo ops, from The Dan to the new Cass Street Coffee Company to the public areas, fitness room, and guestrooms. Whether you’re visiting in person or living vicariously through social media, you’re sure to have a memorable experience at this iconic hotel.
The Team Behind the Masterpiece
The Floridan Palace project was a testament to teamwork and collaboration. Christina Kirkpatrick took the design lead on The Dan and Cass Street Coffee Company, while Jenn Lindner led the design for the guestrooms and suites. By dividing the property into these sections, we were able to give each space its own identity yet maintain cohesiveness throughout.
Gratitude and Thanksgiving Reflections
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, I am overflowing with gratitude towards our client, who trusted us with such an important, iconic property. Their faith in us to stretch our creativity has created a truly special property. I’m equally grateful for all the manufacturers, consultants, suppliers, etc., who worked so hard to get every detail just right. My gratitude also extends to my JAI team for their incredible collaboration to create something so uniquely distinctive that guests will be drawn from all around the world.
I also want to express my heartfelt thanks to those who have trusted JAI over the past 22 years to translate their visions into uniquely distinctive designs and extraordinary experiences. Your faith in us fuels our passion for what we do. To my team, clients, and readers of this blog post, thank you for being a part of our journey.
