Palace History

The Palace of Florence was designed by Athos Menaboni who modeled it after the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy. In addition to using the Palazzo Vecchio as a design source, the artist incorporated elements from Florence's Palazzo del Podesta for the center courtyard, as well as modeling the stairs after a Tuscan castle. Construction of this 28-unit complex began in September of 1925 and was ready for occupancy in May of the following year at a cost of $350,000.

According to the first general manager, Alvin Bragadin, the apartments were "furnished luxuriously with period furniture and expensive tapestries." Supplied by Tampa's own Maas Brothers department store, standard furnishings included a walnut table, chairs, cabinets and benches, a settee, sofa bed and a lacquered wood bedroom set.