Next Level Brands to open its first restaurant concept in Westshore Business District Development
TAMPA, FL (APRIL 29, 2021) – Led by hospitality veteran and successful restauranteur Jeff Gigante, Next Level Brands Holdings LLC will open its first restaurant concept, Union New American, at Westshore City Center.
Demolition work is set to start today at Westshore City Center to prepare the land for the restaurant build-out at 1111 N. Westshore Blvd. The brand new two-story 9,358-square-foot restaurant space will feature indoor and outdoor dining. The build-out for the restaurant will be designed by Atelier Zebulon Perron, showcasing a contemporary and upscale ambiance.
“Located in the heart of Tampa’s booming Westshore district, Westshore City Center is the perfect location for our first restaurant concept with Next Level Brands,” said Gigante. “We are thrilled to be bringing a high-quality, locally owned dining experience to the area and look forward to introducing our New American cuisine and first-class hospitality to the Tampa Bay community.”
Union New American will feature traditional American fare inspired by global ingredients. In addition to lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, Union will have a second-floor private event space and offer live music and dining in an outdoor terrace lounge. Union New American is scheduled to deliver fall 2021.
In October 2020, Gigante announced a new partnership with local entrepreneurs Andrew Wright and Joseph Guggino to launch Next Level Brands. The company expects to open several elevated restaurant concepts around Tampa Bay area focused on a culture of hospitality and centered around exceptional service and iconic spaces.
Tampa-based Ally Capital Group acquired Westshore City Center in early 2019 and selected Franklin Street to oversee leasing, management and project management for the property. Franklin Street has hired VCC, LLC for demolition of the existing building.
The demolition of the Annex B building and existing two-story structure at Westshore City Center marks a crucial step in the project’s multimillion-dollar redevelopment.
“From the very beginning, Ally Capital Group’s vision for Westshore City Center has been to create a true mixed-use destination that blends newly renovated office campus with exceptional retail, dining and entertainment options that attract a regional audience,” said Matthew Chadwick, Director of Ally Capital Group. “It’s also important to us to support local concepts born in Tampa Bay, which makes Union New American an exciting and fitting addition to this property.”
Built in 1975, Westshore City Center is comprised of five office buildings totaling 300,000 square feet on 10.4 acres. Under Ally Capital Group’s ownership and Franklin Street’s management, the property has received significant cosmetic and structural improvements to create a modernized aesthetic and greater focus on walkability and outdoor space.
Recent improvements include new landscaping, pavement, and walkways across the entirety of the campus. Ongoing improvements include new energy efficient windows, updated common spaces, elevators, and restrooms, with modern fixtures and artwork.
Earlier this year, First Watch, a Tampa-based breakfast and brunch café, became the first restaurant tenant announced for Westshore City Center. Heritage Insurance, one of Florida’s leading property insurance providers, announced in the fall of 2020 that it will relocate its corporate headquarters to Westshore City Center with an 88,643-square-foot, full-building lease.
About Westshore City Center: Owned by Tampa-based Ally Capital Group, Westshore City Center is located at 1111, 1211, 1311, 1401 and 1411 N. Westshore Blvd. Westshore City Center is adjacent to International Plaza and offers convenient access to Tampa International Airport. The location also provides excellent connectivity throughout the Tampa Bay area via Interstate 275, the Howard Frankland Bridge, and the Veterans Expressway.
About Franklin Street: Founded in 2006 during one of the toughest real estate climates, Franklin Street focuses on delivering value-added solutions to meet the evolving needs of clients. Through a collaborative philosophy of leveraging the resources, expertise and experience of each of its lines of business, Franklin Street has grown to include seven business divisions – Investment Sales, Tenant and Landlord Representation, Capital Advisory, Insurance, Property Management and Project Management. With more than $5 billion in transaction value across all major product types, Franklin Street offers unmatched value and optimal solutions for clients nationwide. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., the company has offices in Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando and Atlanta. Learn more about Franklin Street at FranklinSt.com.
About Next Level Brands: Led by hospitality veteran and successful restauranteur Jeff Gigante, Next Level Brands Holdings LLC will be a collection of innovative dining experiences designed to elevate the culinary landscape of Tampa Bay. Inspired by the culture of hospitality, concepts will be warm and inviting gathering spaces with innovative cuisine and first-class service. For more information, visit: www.nxtlevelbrands.com.
