GEORGE GUIDA and the GUIDA HOUSE,  West Tampa
    House and park photos from January, 2004


The main entrance drive in Macfarlane Park in West Tampa was named for George Guida in 1987.
 

The grateful citizenry of Tampa dedicated this roadway to the memory of George Guida for his commitment to improving the quality of life for all.  A business and civic leader, banker and builder of many of our public service buildings such as Jesuit H.S. Athletic Field House, Rey Park Recreation Center, St. Joseph's Convent, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America presented him their Silver Keystone and Bronze Keystone Awards for building their West Tampa and Interbay facilities.  With his wife Palmira and children, he lived and worked near this site.  An Outstanding Citizen, the Lord graced us with his presence and let George do it...  He was Mr. West Tampa.

 


1987 Macfarlane Park Street renaming ceremony with Honorable E. J. Salcines and Mayor Freedman of Tampa

Hon. E. J. Salcines remarks at 7:25 of video:
Every one of you that is here had your own individual experiences  with George or with Palmira or with the Guida family.  Every single one of you has some lasting memory of this giant of a man.  But most especially, all of us have been blessed because where ever we're at in this community, there is some permanent structure, that George Guida, through his efforts, either collected the money, donated the supplies, the equipment or was there laboring to build that particular building or edifice or facility.  George Guida, in chatting with the Perrone family many years ago, when asked by a young, little Perrone girl, "George, why do you build these things?  Why are you so interested in building and construction?"  He looked at her and he said, "Because when you die, you die.  But when you have built and you leave things behind that you have built, you continue to live, even though you died."  So where ever you go in this community, George Guida is alive.  Because through his buildings, through his dedication, through his involvement and commitment, as the plaque says, "to make the quality of life in this community, better and better.  So George Guida has left his mark, and what we're doing today is just recognizing what he has meant to this community.  And to take something from what he gave to all of us, we should all be inspired to also leave our mark.  As Judge Kavoulkis and I were commenting a while ago before the program got started, very few people have given so much to their community.  He was an individual that never sought recognition, but he was always at the forefront, leading to build, to make something, to improve this community.  So it's very fitting--I wish that the rain would just sort of slacken up so that we could unveil the marker.   However, I think that at this time, before we go through that ceremony,  we should call the Guida family; Frank, Bebe, Lorraine, Gerry, and Gida, to please come forward.  I know that all of us here, join me in  applauding you, on a day like today that commemorates the one year anniversary of his passing.   (After applause follows the plaque unveiling.)
 

          
A view from the base of the hill looking towards the entrance at MacDill Ave.                         The entrance at MacDill Ave.  


The Guida house is now the property of the Tampa Parks Dept.  The yard is kept up, but the house deteriorates as the years pass.

                            

The Guida house 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 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 his former carpet and tile business location in West Tampa.        

The two-story art deco 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.

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 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.

 
 


By Linda Saul-Sena, Oct. 8, 2013:
 

 
This intriguing but beleaguered example of Mid-Century Modern architecture was the optimistic expression of “Mr. West Tampa,” George Guida, at the height of his life. Guida’s role as a contractor and owner of a home furnishings and decorating business gave him access to the early-1950s design trends du jour — curved facade, ribbon windows, snappy tiles — and his home, built adjacent to Macfarlane Park, showed them off. The founder of the Central Bank of Tampa, Guida built Jesuit High School, Rey Park and a number of other civic buildings, he made his home a gathering spot for the movers and shakers of West Tampa as well as a showplace for modern design.

 

In 1984,** after the interstate split West Tampa in two, the yellow brick structure was acquired by the City of Tampa, which intended to add to the park area by demolishing the house. Fortunately, a group formed to protect the building and it was designated a local landmark in 2004.

Tampa Preservation, Inc. came to the rescue with funding to “mothball” the residence until a user came forward. TPI President Becky Clarke explained, “Like the people of West Tampa, the Guida House is special, and its architecture and history deserve protection.”

Everyone agrees that the best reuse for this property would be as an event space for weddings and other special occasions.

The City of Tampa issued a request for proposals (RFP) in 2009, which was not a great time for real estate deals. Nothing happened. Jason Busto, longtime advocate for West Tampa, observed, “People spent time, money and hope to protect the Guida House and we turned it over to the City in good faith.” The Mayor’s Office promises to issue another RFP, but doesn't give a timetable.

Okay, Mayor Buckhorn. Let’s move on putting this building out there to get fixed up and earn its keep!

 

**The year is a reference to the acquisition of the house by the City of Tampa, and not the year the interstate split West Tampa in two.  That occurred in the early 1960s.
 
 


Francesco and Maria Guida, with their children (L to R) Mary, George and Fulmena, circa 1924.
Francesco was born in Allesandria, Sicily in 1888.  He came to America in 1911 and worked as a cigar maker until
1933, at which time he opened G & G Grocery at 724 LaSalle in West Tampa.

The 1933 city directory is the last one that shows Francesco was a cigar maker.   His son George worked for Sol Simovitz starting in 1929 as a clerk. In 1934, 1935 and 1936,  city directories show Francesco, wife Mary J., and their business, G & G Grocery (listed at 724 LaSalle in the Grocers section.)  Son George  still worked as a salesman for Sol Simovitz.
 


“Let George Do It”
By Maura Barrios, West Tampa historian

A young George Guida, circa 1934
Photo courtesy of Marilyn Favata Messina

George Guida’s father Francesco, a Sicilian immigrant, operated the F. M. Guida Grocery store at the southeast corner of Howard and Salle until his death in 1965. George left school to work in his father’s grocery store during the Depression, an experience shared by many of West Tampa’s children of the Great Depression era. The Guida family, as with many West Tampa families, engaged in practices that maintained ethnic traditions and values. As they did in Sicily, the family kept chicken, goats and cows in their domestic space, and children became workers in their early years.

George Guida and Palmira Priede wedding photo, 1938, courtesy of Marilyn Favata Messina

Palmira was a daughter of Andres and Trinidad Priede, Spanish & Cuban immigrants.  Palmira had several brothers & sisters: Palmiro, Jose, Violeta, Zenaida, Azulina, Palmira, Rosa, and Andres Jr.

When George and Palmira Priede were married in 1938, they took a chance on a floor covering and Venetian blind store in Roberts City, on Fortune Street. With some success, they decided to move into a commercial space in a former post office at Howard and Union Streets. There, the couple and their children occupied the apartment on the second floor. Their new store offered West Tampa a place for home improvement and modernization by adding air conditioners, kitchen appliances, and home decorating tools such as wallpaper and paint to their inventory.

Though George was offered land on Dale Mabry and Cypress Street to expand his enterprise, he had a deep commitment to West Tampa. He purchased and remodeled the 10,000 feet of commercial space that had been vacated by the A&P grocery store. Within this new space, George added construction services and materials to his inventory.

The patterned tile floors guided shoppers through display areas of the latest in home furnishings, appliances, imported ceramic tile. The store became the place where families’ first televisions and air conditioners were purchased, creating sentimental memories that connect Guida with the comforts of home. Furthermore, Guida’s wise business policies including lay-away and time-payment policies allowed the working-class community access to modern comforts.

 

 

As part of George’s marketing plan, he kept televisions on in the evenings to entertain the neighborhood residents who brought chairs and café con leche to watch episodes of I Love Lucy.

 

At right, George and Palmira Guida with their children, Frank, George Jr. ("Bebe"), Lorraine, Geraldine and Gida.  Photo courtesy of Marilyn Favata Messina

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now,  the Guida's store on Howard Avenue in West Tampa is home to the Center for Affordable Homeownership and the West Tampa Community Development Corp.  Photo below by Maura Barrios.
 

The curved storefront windows have been replaced by glass tiles.


 

 

 

 

George and Palmira Guida family

Palmira and George Guida, seated.

Behind Palmira, their son Frank, with his wife next to him.  Their children are next to Palmira and on her lap.

Standing at center, George "Bebe" Guida, Jr.

Behind George Sr., daughter Lorraine.  On the end standing are her sisters, Geraldine and Gida.

Photo courtesy of Marilyn Favata Messina

 



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

Park 1      |    Park 2    |    Park 3    |  The Guida House

 

 

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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