Six/Ten Transforms Dilapidated Building

TAMPA, FL—Developers are giving new life to a once-dilapidated, two-story furniture store in the Tampa suburb of Winter Haven, FL. Six/Ten has transformed the building into a destination for shoppers, diners, and office workers.

Dubbed Central Park Square, the building faces Central Park and Central Avenue. Combined with an adjoining building, the complex aims to be a gathering place that includes restaurants, retail and alternative workspace.

“Central Park Square is evolving into its highest and best use,” says Bud Strang, Six/Ten's CEO. “We are reversing decades of neglect and obsolescence by giving the buildings new life.”

Six/Ten is modernizing of the exterior façade, introducing a new design and color scheme, new layouts of both floors, and complete updates to the plumbing, air conditioning, electrical and elevator systems. More than 20,000 square feet of new space will be available before the end of the year.

“We are targeting restaurant, boutique retail and innovative spirit-consumption establishments for the first floor,” says Strang. “We anticipate a solid mix of tech entrepreneurs and professionals upstairs with a 'Suites on Central' address. “

Six/Ten is bringing its fiber-optic wiring directly to office computers from the company's neighboring buildings that house high-speed Internet providers. The ultra-fast Internet connections aim to help the project attract established firms and start-ups.

“For companies seeking an incubator environment and a downtown presence, we are offering virtual suites with common conference room amenities and a collaborative workspace,” says Strang. “More traditional companies will feel at home in private spaces ranging from single offices to suites of up to 4,580 square feet.”

A public utility has already taken a large suite in the building. And Everglades Law Center, a non-profit legal firm that advocates for Florida's huge southern wetlands, has signed a lease for one of the virtual suites.