Bern's Builds Boutique Hotel In South Tampa

Epicurean, a new 137-room boutique hotel, is in the works for South Tampa's South Howard Avenue.

In conjunction with the Marriott, the $32 million Epicurean is a collaboration between Mainsail Lodging & Development and Bern's Steak House.

Sitting directly across from Bern's and just down the street from Side Bern's, the unique space is expected to feature a large state-of-the-art culinary classroom, the Bern Laxer School of Food & Wine; high-end bistro; wine shop; rooftop lounge; full-service spa; and retail and production bakery and pastry shop.

Tampa's Urban Studio Architects is overseeing the design of the building itself with Getty's Hospitality & Development working on the building's interior.

“Tampa residents and visitors are to expect a chic neighborhood hotel, the location allowing for residents to walk over and become a regular in their own backyard,” says Mainsail Lodging & Development President Joe Collier. “Epicurean will allow out-of-town guests to stay in the middle of a thriving Tampa neighborhood with so many options within walking distance.”

From culinary demonstrations to evening wine tastings to special events such as Bern's Wine Fest, Epicurean plans to have plenty to keep both residents and visitors coming back. The hotel will also feature signature organic bath products and will be the first newly constructed property, of 34 high-end boutique resorts in the U.S., to join the Marriott's prestigious Autograph Collection.

“Projects in the Tampa Bay area are starting to move forward again and the economy is on the upswing,” Collier says. “Travelers these days are move savvy and looking for something new and different -- an experience, not just a hotel stay. We think Epicurean will fulfill all of these expectations.”

Through the addition of jobs and impact on economic development, Collier expects the hotel to be beneficial to the City and South Tampa residents, bringing additional tourists to the area.

“We love the fact that the hotel will be right in the middle of a popular, vibrant neighborhood where we can add the flavor of the area and have access to loyal Bern's customers,” he says. “Bern's is one of the most successful restaurants in the U.S. with the world's largest private wine collection. It's a destination by itself.”

After being put on hold for nearly five years due to the recession, ground broke on the Epicurean on October 23rd. The hotel is scheduled to open in November 2013.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Joe Collier, Mainsail Lodging & Development