TAMPA, Fla. -- The Epicurean Hotel in Tampa is expected to expand within the next few months.
The 137-room hotel will expand across the street from the hotel's existing location on South Howard Avenue.
An architect with the project presented renderings and design plans before the Architectural Review Commission on Monday night.
"We're sold out a lot. We sell out over 180 to 190 nights a year so this is an opportunity for us to add some more suites," said Joe Collier, President of Mainsail Lodging and Development.
The plans include renovating apartments and converting them into additional hotel rooms and suites.
"The existing apartments needed to be rehabbed. They're kind of crumbling. We're happy to bring those back to life," said Collier.
The Epicurean brings in business guests and hockey teams competing against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Visitors staying at the Epicurean often dine at Bern's Steak House across the street.
"Epicurean gets majority of hockey teams that come to town. We had about 27 hockey teams stay at the hotel last year," said Collier.
"We get a lot of business travelers at the hotel. A lot of people coming into town to go to Bern's. They want to be in the Hyde Park, trendy kind of neighborhood," added Collier.
There was no opposition to the plans at Monday night's meeting.
Construction to expand the hotel could start by the end of the year. It's expected to last about 16 months.
