THE GEORGE GUIDA HOUSE, Macfarlane Park, West Tampa  
George Guida, Sr. was known as Mr. West Tampa. He was a civic leader, founder of Central Bank of Tampa, founder of George Guida & Son Home Furnishing & Decorating, and a building contractor.  He died in 1986 at age 71.

The main entrance drive in Macfarlane Park in West Tampa is named for George Guida, and this marker is placed at the foot of the hill.

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The property is located at 1516 N. Renfrew Ave. and occupies a whole square block.  It is bordered by Lincoln Avenue on the west,  Renfrew Avenue and the Macfarlane Park tennis courts on the east, Main St. on the north, and Green St. on the south with I-275 alongside.

 

 

 



 

The art deco, two-story home was built in 1951. It was purchased by the city in 1984** to tear it down and create more green space in Macfarlane Park. But residents raised awareness of the home's significance and now it is protected as a local historical landmark, designated as such in 2004. Since it was bought with funds from the city's parks department budget, the house must remain a part of the parks department. (**Another sources says it was purchased in 1994.)

Although repairs have been made to the home to preserve it, the building has deteriorated. Its ceiling and walls are damaged. Vandals have spray-painted parts of the structure. There is water damage from a leaky roof.
 


The house has an outdoor brick barbecue, a fireplace in a sunken living room, tile work throughout, a basement, a large kitchen and a heart-shaped front driveway. The curved features of the home are similar in style to the Guida Building, his former carpet and tile business location in West Tampa.

   



 

The front door faces Renfrew Avenue, to the east.



City officials met with persons interested in preserving and developing the property back in July 2008. George Guida Jr. got the attention of the 25 participants when he suggested creating a culinary school at the home where people can learn about cooking from respected chefs, stay on site and also visit around Tampa. He said the home would also be available for community events and service organizations. Guida said after the meeting he is a partner in the plan.

Others at the meeting suggested that the home be available for community events, such as weddings and receptions. They also mentioned turning it into a West Tampa museum, cultural center and a center for English language education to assist the immigrants who move to the working class neighborhood.
   



 



A city official said it would cost $1 million to rehabilitate the home, which has ceiling and wall damage. The restoration would have to comply with the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the city's Architectural Review Commission.
   



 
Plans by subsequent developers had various purposes in mind. The lone proposal, submitted in 2008 by Earth First Development Corp., was rejected by the city because the plan didn't serve a "park purpose' as outlined in the guidelines. Earth First planned to build a three-story, 14,700-square-foot building on the property for children and teen programs. It also wanted to build eight apartments for young families and seniors. The proposal included creating up to 95 parking spaces. The city received two other proposals from potential developers in January 2009, but they were submitted after the bidding deadline.

Developer Has Plan For Guida House      City Seeks To Improve Guida House     City Still Seeking Plans For Historical West Tampa Home

 
 
MORE West Tampa pages at Tampapix:
Albany Avenue - See the orignal "Academy of the Holy Names" and cigar factories on Albany Ave.
Columbus Drive Bridge - The Gateway to West Tampa, Hillsborough River & Rivercrest Park
Fire Station No. 9 at Tampania and Chestnut St.
Fort Homer Hesterly Armory has showcased everything from NWA wrestling to JFK, Pink Floyd and Elvis.
George Guida house at MacFarlane Park - Once the home of "Mr. West Tampa"
Howard Avenue - Travel along Howard Ave. from Main St. to St. Louis St.
La Ideal Cafeteria at Tampa Bay Blvd. and Gomez Ave., a popular West Tampa landmark
La Teresita Grocery Store at Columbus Drive and Lincoln Ave.
MacFarlane Park - A favorite of West Tampans, named for the father of West Tampa
Raymond James Stadium - Home of the 2002 NFL Champions Tampa Bay Bucs and Super Bowl 43
 Tampa Bay Blvd. Elementary School - Built in 1926 to educate cigar workers' children
West Tampa Little League Ball Park - Home of the 1970 Senior Little League World Champs
West Tampa History - The cigar that sparked a revolution, and Fernando Figueredo, West Tampa's first mayor.
 

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