Yesterday - A Remarkable History
A year after D.P. Davis bought the two islands that make up Davis Islands, he hired famed Miami architect Martin Hampton to design the Mirasol as the island’s centerpiece. Built in 1925, the Mediterranean Revival-style property features a seven-story building with two three-story wings and two detached single-story buildings. Built at a cost of $750,000, newspaper articles ran heralding the building as a “palatial structure, one of the finest of its kind in all of Florida”. The hotel units were described as “magnificent” and the mantra of “when the scaffolding comes down, values go up” was published and advertised across Tampa.
Upon opening, The Mirasol continued generating buzz as a piece of Tampa’s rapidly expanding skyline, but also facing west and reflecting the quiet beauty of the Bay. The community flocked to the hotel lobby, featuring pecky cypress ceilings and an enormous, grand stone fireplace, both still in existence today. The onsite restaurant and the marina were frequented by Island residents and Mirasol guests alike. Of particular note, the rooftop “sky garden” looking over the water, with grand plantings, was a first of its kind in Tampa.
The Mirasol was sold in 1931 and went through several owners over the following decades. While many of the interior and exterior details that make the property special were preserved, the property ultimately was converted into apartments in the 1960’s. The restaurant, sky garden, and lobby were closed to the surrounding community.
Thanksgiving at The Mirasol Hotel on Davis Islands was a delightful and elegant affair, offering a luxurious seven-course meal for just $2.00. Diners enjoyed a wide selection of gourmet dishes, starting with celery hearts, olives, pickles, and seafood cocktails. Guests could choose between Consommé Royal or Bisque of Oysters to begin their dining experience.
The main courses featured delicacies such as Medallion of Pompano à la Marguerite, or the traditional Roast Young Turkey served with English Dressing and Cranberry Sauce. Side dishes included creamy new potatoes, candied yams, Bantam corn on the cob, or cauliflower with Hollandaise sauce. The meal also included the signature Mirasol Salad, dressed with Palmetto Dressing.
To complete the experience, guests had their choice of decadent sweets, including mince, cranberry, or pumpkin pie, or a refreshing orange sherbet or ice cream paired with individual cakes. Beverages like tea, coffee, and milk were served alongside a cheese course of Roquefort or American cheese with toasted crackers, and a final touch of mints and assorted fruits.
Overlooking beautiful Tampa Bay, The Mirasol Hotel promised not just a memorable meal but an extraordinary setting. Thanksgiving feast was the epitome of elegance and value.