Photos courtesy of Franchesca Murrugarra
Armature Works, once the storage and maintenance building for Tampa Electric’s (TECO) streetcars in 1910, is now a central hub for the downtown and Tampa Heights community since its reopening in 2018. The 73,000-square-foot space overlooks the Hillsborough River and hosts restaurants, shops, and event venues. Inside, underneath an industrial ceiling, visitors can dine from places such as Oak & Ola, Empamamas, Muchachas, Han, Chill Bros Ice Cream, Steelbach, and more. Outside, a multitude of open seating arrangements and life-sized chess boards invite visitors to gather together underneath the Florida sun. The building’s historic brickwork and open community layout is a reflection of Tampa’s historical yet urbanized landscape, which draws in both locals and tourists alike.
