On February 29, the 12th Annual Buildings Alive Ybor City Architecture Hop will kick off at J.C. Newman Cigar Co. While this is the launch point for the event, we highly encourage you to tour Newman before hopping to the other venues, as they will shut their doors at 7pm. You will enjoy a delicious array of food and beverages and upbeat music to start before you embark on an evening of fun and Ybor City hospitality.
The 2024 Preliminary Lineup of Buildings:
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- Centro Asturiano de Tampa, 1913 N Nebraska Ave
- Italian Club, 1731 E. 7th Ave
- J.C. Newman Cigar Company and Museum, 1818 E 9th Ave
Guests will be transported from stop to stop on rubber-wheel Jolley Trolleys running on a continuous loop from 5pm-9:30pm. See all 6 buildings or enjoy the hop at your leisure by hopping off the trolley at those that pique your curiosity. 
Explore historic cigar collections in Ybor City
Back in September 2023, JC Newman unveiled an exhibit showcasing the world’s oldest known cigars at their iconic El Reloj cigar factory and museum. These 18 cigars are straight out of Cuba, hand-rolled back in 1857. They’re no ordinary smokes – they’ve got an epic backstory. Recovered from the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, where the S.S. Central America met its end off Charleston, S.C., they’ve spent over a century underwater.
The Italian Club was established in 1894, the second mutual aid society in Tampa’s history. This new Italian club building was designed by award-winning Tampa architects Leo Elliott and B. C. Bonfoey who had also designed the 1915 city hall downtown and the new Cuban Club at Palm Avenue and 14th street that was also being completed at the same time as the new Italian Club. This new Italian Club included a combination of Italian, Spanish and Greek architecture. 
Celebrating the rich architectural history of Tampa Bay
For more than 100 years – the Italian Clubhouse in Ybor City has been a social hub of the large Italian community. Thru its hall, ballroom and cantina have passed internationally famous artists, diplomats, public and political leaders.
Today, the Centro Asturiano hosts wedding receptions, comedy shows, musicals, recitals, bingo nights, auctions and more. The Centro Asturiano was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and is a designated heritage structure in the Ybor City Historic District.
Early bird pricing runs through January 31, 2024, so reserve your spot online.
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