Michelin-starred chef John Fraser, originally from California, will lead five of The Tampa EDITION concepts: Lilac, Azure at EDITION, Market at EDITION, Lobby Bar and Pool Bar. The opening marks the debut of EDITION’s 15th property worldwide and Tampa’s first-ever five-star hotel. The hotel will usher in a new generation for this burgeoning destination as part of Water Street Tampa, a $3.5 billion urban project that is transforming the city. Highlights to include:
- 172 spacious rooms and 38 private residences
- An expansive rooftop terrace and pool deck, a first of its kind in Tampa
- Many distinctive bars, restaurants and nightlife concepts, including signature spots from Michelin-starred chef John Fraser
- Luxurious spa and fitness center
- Elegant and refined design designed by ISC Design Studio in partnership with Morris Adjmi Architects, Bonetti Kozerski Architects and Roman and Williams
The arrival of The Tampa EDITION further bolsters the city’s boom and reinforces the EDITION brand’s knack for landing in the right place at the right time. The five-star hotel and residences were designed and created by Ian Schrager, in collaboration with Marriott International.
Michelin star vibe comes to downtown Tampa
“I haven’t often had the opportunity to work on a project that will completely transform the very center and heartbeat of a great city like Tampa, and make it even bigger,” said Ian Schrager, the visionary pioneer of the boutique hotel concept and the Creator of the EDITION. “I call this urban expansion, rather than urban renewal, and it serves as a model for how cities will transform and evolve in the future. The scale is breathtaking and we are very happy to be here and to be part of it.
Tampa EDITION will include several restaurants led by Michelin-starred chef and California native, John Fraser. Open from Tuesday to Saturday, the dining room’s walnut parquet floor and the warm glow of the suspended globes create an elevated and convivial space articulated around an eight-seat sandblasted walnut counter by chef Christian Liaigre and a lively open kitchen. Drawing inspiration from Fraser’s Greek heritage, Lilac’s cuisine showcases local and seasonal ingredients showcasing unique flavors and techniques through an Eastern Mediterranean lens. Guests receive a prix fixe menu, starting with appetizers to share followed by three courses of their choice. Signature dishes include locally sourced grouper cooked in a cataplana, short rib cooked on a rotisserie, and herb pasta with a soft-boiled egg and sherry-braised chanterelle mushrooms.
EDITION brings European aesthetics to Tampa, Florida
“It’s always an honor to work with EDITION. We share a similar culture and are both keen on providing modern, high quality luxury. Ian Schrager is a genius at providing the stage and setting the spirit and tone. We are grateful to him and the hotel owner for continually investing in the best. Through exceptional hospitality, architecture and design, we strive to ensure that our guests feel as if they have arrived at a sanctuary where they will never have to leave. We look forward to being part of Ian’s vision through our food and beverage offerings – with something for everyone at all hours of the day,” says Fraser.
Schrager continues, “John Fraser has created iconic restaurants for us at The West Hollywood EDITION and The Times Square EDITION – both of which are incredibly successful. Recognized as one of the world’s top chefs, his health and wellness-focused style of cooking is not only appropriate for the Florida climate, but also aligns with the wellness principles of Water Street. This is a great opportunity to bring a world-class, internationally acclaimed Michelin star chef to Tampa.
Fraser is also behind the concepts for the hotel’s other dining outlets, including Market. Located across the lobby from Lilac, Market makes the most of its corner, with a private garden oasis perfect for alfresco dining on Water Street that blends seamlessly into the interior of the restaurant. Here, the bright and airy all-day dining space features a scalloped white oak and Calcutta marble coffee and pastry bar, adjacent to a casual and friendly dining area. The market menu has an Italian trattoria twist, with pizzas fresh from the open hatch behind the zinc bar, alongside light, healthy, casual and ingredient-driven classics.
A magical experience at Tampa’s newest 5-star hotel
Unfolding like a play in four acts, the hotel comprises a series of spaces and experiences each totaling more than the sum of its individual parts. The second floor – accessed by the sculptural staircase – features a variety of dramatic and distinctive spaces that work together or separately. Evoking old Hollywood glamour, Punch Room is a cozy, hushed space accented with rich shades of emerald and jewel-toned sapphire.
Beautiful walnut wall panels create a European gentleman’s club atmosphere which is enhanced by Pierre Chareau alabaster wall sconces, a twinkling double sided fireplace, bright blue George Smith furniture, Rojo Alicante marble tables and a marble bar. cognac marble backed by soft lighting. smoked antique mirror. Ideal for a pre-dinner cocktail or nightcap, the venue’s concept is inspired by Gasparilla, a fictional pirate and popular figure in Tampa folklore. The unique cocktail menu focuses on the West Indies, showcasing aged spirits, spices, teas and tropical fruits in drinks such as The Black Pearl and The Tampa Punch, as well as fine bar snacks.
Arts Club combines a trio of spaces that come together in a glamorous offering that has elevated Tampa’s entertainment scene. Start your evening in the Lounge, with a cocktail and some light snacks against an alluring backdrop of blackened wood, black damask velvet sofas, black leather banquettes and – just for fun – a specially commissioned black lacquer photobooth with a golden interior. From there, the black Verde Antico marble bar, with its luminescent yellow velvet stools in the bar area, is the perfect precursor to an evening of entertainment in the finale, Arts Club Cabaret. Featuring an organic undulating ceiling of 350 mirrored balls of varying sizes and theatrical drapery of ruby red velvet, this Radio City Music Hall-inspired space will host a roster of performers with dramatic effects.
EDITION adds a leading wellness center to the site
Also on the second floor and mezzanine above is the private 250-guest event space and a series of meeting rooms – including two studios and a meeting room – all of which are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including blackout blinds and electronically controlled light. filtering window treatments, retractable walls to accommodate events of all sizes and a thoughtful interior design scheme of white oak and travertine details, resulting in a bright, modern and airy offering.
The design of the wellness area, also on level two, is equally fresh. The reception area – with its curved white oak and marble desk and gold-leaf accent wall behind – is flanked on either side by arches, which lead to an all-white co-ed lounging area and six treatment rooms. The spa concept is inspired by wellness and sustainability and offers a menu of treatments ranging from Biologique Recherche Skinlab facials to EDITION Signature massage.
In a first for Tampa, and unlike anything the city has seen before, The Rooftop is the place to see and be seen, and truly has it all. Located on level nine, just below the Residences, the area includes Azure at EDITION – a restaurant overseen by Chef John Fraser – and a sprawling pool club with day and night cabanas, open to hotel guests and residences only, and accessible either through the restaurant or its own entrance. Here, bands of travertine create a neutral backdrop for lush landscaping featuring Japanese blueberries and bright pops of purple bougainvillea, which sit atop the five poolside cabanas materializing an outdoor garden in the sky. With 81 lounge chairs, resident DJs, and a bar, the vibe here is decadent and relaxed — the perfect place to spend a sunny day looking out over Tampa city views.
EDITION includes 172 rooms and suites
Open to the public, Azure at EDITION serves a fresh menu of Mediterranean dishes such as Santorini tomato fritters, in an elevated setting anchored by a large white oak and marble racing bar and lined with intimate, private banquettes, covered in white leather and linen, separated by bleached oak slat screens.
Finally, sandwiched between the second level and the ninth-floor rooftop are the 172 rooms and suites. Each room is a haven with marble bathrooms and a curved American black walnut entryway that leads to a light white oak space accented with photographs by the late New York-based fashion and portrait photographer Rodney Smith. and personalized inspiration from Jean-Michel Frank. furniture alongside the sensual curves of a Cherner chair in white lacquer. There are five Garden Terrace bedrooms on the third floor, the one-bedroom Penthouse – with a media room, open-plan living and dining area, pantry and expansive walk-in closet and bathroom – sits in one corner bright eighth floor, while every room overlooks either the city or the boat-filled Garrison Canal.
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