Union New American is a new restaurant concept from Next Level Brands Holdings LLC, a group led by restaurateur Jeff Gigante. The concept will debut at the Westshore City Center in 2022/23.
Jeff Gigante, the visionary restaurateur who has delivered some of the most tantalizing and celebrated restaurants in the entire region, is ready to debut the next big thing in Tampa with Union New American at Westshore City Center.
Demolition work is set to start today at Westshore City Center to prepare the land for the restaurant build-out at 1111 N. Westshore Blvd. The brand new two-story 9,358-square-foot restaurant space will feature indoor and outdoor dining. The build-out for the restaurant will be designed by Atelier Zebulon Perron, showcasing a contemporary and upscale ambiance.
“Located in the heart of Tampa’s booming Westshore district, Westshore City Center is the perfect location for our first restaurant concept with Next Level Brands,” said Gigante. “We are thrilled to be bringing a high-quality, locally owned dining experience to the area and look forward to introducing our New American cuisine and first-class hospitality to the Tampa Bay community.”
What to expect at Union New American
Union New American will be a go-to for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch with globally-inspired fare. Guests can also enjoy a private event space on the second-floor. The space will offer live music and dining in an outdoor terrace lounge.
While an official opening date is still TBA, Union New American is scheduled to open in late 2022, or early 2023.
It all began in October 2020. At the time, Gigante announced a new partnership with local entrepreneurs Andrew Wright and Joseph Guggino to launch Next Level Brands. Union New American isn’t the only restaurant the company plans to open. Next Level Brands expects to open several elevated restaurant concepts around the Tampa Bay region focused on a culture of hospitality and centered around exceptional service and iconic spaces.
Preparing to wow the city of Tampa
Tampa-based Ally Capital Group acquired Westshore City Center in early 2019 and selected Franklin Street to oversee leasing, management and project management for the property. Franklin Street has hired VCC, LLC for demolition of the existing building.
The demolition of the Annex B building and existing two-story structure at Westshore City Center marks a crucial step in the project’s multimillion-dollar redevelopment.
“From the very beginning, Ally Capital Group’s vision for Westshore City Center has been to create a true mixed-use destination that blends newly renovated office campus with exceptional retail, dining and entertainment options that attract a regional audience,” said Matthew Chadwick, Director of Ally Capital Group. “It’s also important to us to support local concepts born in Tampa Bay, which makes Union New American an exciting and fitting addition to this property.”
Reimagining Westshore City Center in Tampa
Built in 1975, Westshore City Center is comprised of five office buildings totaling 300,000 square feet on 10.4 acres. Under Ally Capital Group’s ownership and Franklin Street’s management, the property has received significant cosmetic and structural improvements to create a modernized aesthetic and greater focus on walkability and outdoor space.
Recent improvements include new landscaping, pavement, and walkways across the entirety of the campus. Ongoing improvements include new energy efficient windows, updated common spaces, elevators, and restrooms, with modern fixtures and artwork.
Earlier this year, First Watch, a Tampa-based breakfast and brunch café, became the first restaurant tenant announced for Westshore City Center. Heritage Insurance, one of Florida’s leading property insurance providers, announced in the fall of 2020 that it will relocate its corporate headquarters to Westshore City Center with an 88,643-square-foot, full-building lease.
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