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The Centro Asturiano de Tampa (Centro) was a social club for immigrants and the descendants of immigrants from Asturias, Spain who came to work in the developing Tampa cigar industry in the early 1900's. Historically, the purpose of the club was to take care of the male members and their families from before birth until after they died. For a small fee they were provided hospitalization, socialization, education, and burial.
On January 22, 1909, the club dedicated a handsome red brick building which cost $75,000. When fire destroyed the building in 1912, the undaunted club members voted to build an even larger and more impressive facility. This columned neoclassical building, which the Tampa Morning Tribune called "the most beautiful building in the South," opened in 1914 at a cost of $110,000.
The building is a yellow brick and stone building which has been described as being in the Renaissance Mediterranean style. The edifice sits on a tall base, on which rest Doric columns with two wide sweeping stairs leading to the main floor. Prominent exterior features include the round arch windows of the third floor and the stone balustrades surrounding the roof. The Centro was designed by the prominent architectural firm of Bonfoey and Elliot and the construction contract was awarded to the firm of McGucken & Hyer. The Centro was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and retains its stature as one of the most outstanding structures in Tampa's Ybor City historic district.
For more than 104 years, the Centro has never been vacant but as membership declined, the third generation of the founders, with their famous Asturian determination, have worked tirelessly to preserve and maintain this beautiful structure.
Now available to the public for private events, the palatial ballroom continues to be the scene of glittering social affairs, balls, weddings and other gala affairs. Today, the Centro theatre remains a popular venue for local performers and entertainers.
In 2017 the Board of Directors applied for and received $250,000 in matching grants from the State of Florida and Tampa to help with the building preservation and improvements. We have fundraisers monthly, but are risking our grants if matching funds cannot be reached by the deadline date.
Currently, the restrooms on all three levels have been brought up to ADA requirements, and we are looking forward to restoring the ceilings that were lowered when air conditioning was added to the building.
On January 22, 1909, the club dedicated a handsome red brick building which cost $75,000. When fire destroyed the building in 1912, the undaunted club members voted to build an even larger and more impressive facility. This columned neoclassical building, which the Tampa Morning Tribune called "the most beautiful building in the South," opened in 1914 at a cost of $110,000.
The building is a yellow brick and stone building which has been described as being in the Renaissance Mediterranean style. The edifice sits on a tall base, on which rest Doric columns with two wide sweeping stairs leading to the main floor. Prominent exterior features include the round arch windows of the third floor and the stone balustrades surrounding the roof. The Centro was designed by the prominent architectural firm of Bonfoey and Elliot and the construction contract was awarded to the firm of McGucken & Hyer. The Centro was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and retains its stature as one of the most outstanding structures in Tampa's Ybor City historic district.
For more than 104 years, the Centro has never been vacant but as membership declined, the third generation of the founders, with their famous Asturian determination, have worked tirelessly to preserve and maintain this beautiful structure.
Now available to the public for private events, the palatial ballroom continues to be the scene of glittering social affairs, balls, weddings and other gala affairs. Today, the Centro theatre remains a popular venue for local performers and entertainers.
In 2017 the Board of Directors applied for and received $250,000 in matching grants from the State of Florida and Tampa to help with the building preservation and improvements. We have fundraisers monthly, but are risking our grants if matching funds cannot be reached by the deadline date.
Currently, the restrooms on all three levels have been brought up to ADA requirements, and we are looking forward to restoring the ceilings that were lowered when air conditioning was added to the building.
Organizer
Ray Ann Granda Favata
Organizer
Tampa, FL
Centro Asturiano De Tampa Inc
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
