Back in the 1930s a small band would play on the balcony seen below. I wonder if lunch patrons ever danced to the music? I'll bet they did.
In 1980, the St. Petersburg Times (now the Tampa Bay Times) bought the Tramor and renovated it. The Tramor reopened as a staffer's cafeteria in 1985, and I've had many meals there. For a little privacy, the balcony area was always a good choice (below).
The publisher requested that I design a sign for the entrance, and I created this image, which is about five feet wide, maybe a little wider.
I wanted to convey a 1930s atmosphere, so I used a typeface called Mona Lisa. It was originally designed by Albert Auspurg in the 1930s, and updated for modern use in 1991 by Pat Hickson.
You'll notice that there are no people in these photographs and that this wonderful landmark looks quite bare. That's because financial strains have caused the newspaper to put the Tramor up for sale, and there are no takers in sight.
.
Hello Mark, It is so rare to see a commercial space like this virtually unchanged, and it will be a shame if it can't be rescued. This is a relic of a day when even utilitarian buildings like cafeterias were considered worthy of artistic design and quality construction.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Hello, Jim,
DeleteYes, this harkens back to an age when even a lunchtime cafeteria would have linen tablecloths, and no doubt linen napkins. I think that under the right management, the Tramor could come back to life and thrive.
Dear Mark,
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting post! The whole thing screams 1930s doesn't it and I think that the sign you made for the entrance is very much in keeping with the atmosphere.
I like that era and to me this is like the houses and public places one sees in 1930s Hollywood photos and films.
I do hope that some one or some organisation buys the site. I think that given the right format, it would make for a great dining experience.
Bye for now my friend,
Kirk
Dear Kirk,
DeleteThanks for your comment, and again, welcome back from your trip.
The Tramor could be very Hollywood, especially with a band in the balcony playing Swing. I can hear the saxaphones and clarinets now!
Love places like this that have been lovingly preserved. Hopefully the new owners will retain it!
ReplyDeleteHi, Stefan,
DeleteI thought you would enjoy the Mediterranean Revival — there was quite a bit of it in St. Petersburg, but the city is late in recognizing that it needs to preserve what's left.
Dear Mark - That is very special architecture. I sure hope the right buyer comes soon. Such a pity about the vending machine food, but at least the cafeteria is still being enjoyed. Keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteDear Loi,
DeleteOne of the things that's occured to me since I posted is that the demise of the cafeteria is due in part to the fact that so many staffers now eat their lunch at their desk. That's a recent corporate trend that's unhealthy for the worker and less productive for the company.
Mark I love your 'Hollywood' idea. Why doesn't someone with some money and imagination take it from there? What a special place. Hopefully it won't be knocked down for a parking lot.
ReplyDeleteHi, Yvette,
DeleteI am happy to say that the Tramor has been recognized as a landmark, and is not in danger of being torn down.
What a great place! I can safely say we don't have anything like this in Boston. It seems like the perfect setting for some kind of fantastic theme restaurant. A Great Gatsby Steak House just to throw out a quick idea.
ReplyDeleteHi, Steve,
DeleteMediterranean Revival was VERY popular during the 1920s and 1930s here in St. Petersburg, but as I've said in an earlier comment, many of those great old buildings have been lost. Ironically, many new Mediterranean buildings are being erected — sort of a Mediterranean Revival Revival, but they have a bland generic quality better suited to the title "Contractor's Mediterranean!"
Before I read the line that the sky was painted, I assumed from the photos that this was the real sky. Now of course I see it, but that's rather wonderful. It's nice when these heritage sites can be retained, and I hope it doesn't take too long for someone with the readies to take it on. Interesting to read of your part in the signage.
ReplyDeleteDear Columnist,
ReplyDeleteThe covered illusion of a plaza or atrium was a common theme in Mediterranean Revival interiors. The Tampa Theater, which I showcased in July, has a nightime sky, complete with lights that give the appearance of twinkling stars.
Hello hello Mark!
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning place! I love that such attention for detail was lavished on a daytime gathering place. I especially love the tile work-- beautiful. I hope that a way can be found to keep it open and available for all of the appreciative patrons, including you. I'm sure it was an inspiring place to be! Your sign for the Tramor is wonderful-- its so perfectly suited to the 1930's aesthetic of the interior... Well done!
Warm regards,
Erika
Hello, Erika,
DeleteTile work was indeed lavished on the Tramor, and it's possible that that might have been the work of Cubans. I have a friend whose house contains interesting tiles that were laid by Cuban artisans. They arrived without tiles or molds for tile, and so used cake pans. The floor is a great conversation piece! (Thanks for liking my sign. I insisted that the wall behind it change from a pinkish color to something more peachy.)
Dear Mark, There is no doubt that someone will see and appreciate the work and beauty of this very special place. And because so much of the renovation is already completed and done so well, a building such as the Tramor should be a natural for many purposes.
ReplyDeleteYour design for the entrance shows restraint yet colors that sing and invite.
Great post and of course, you would know that I love anything which includes hand made tiles.
Dear Gina,
DeleteI was of course thinking of you when I took the photographs of the tiles! As I said in my comment to Erika, these could have come from Cuba because the was much traffic between Tampa Bay and Havana, but the tiles may also have been the product of Ybor City in Tampa, which had a huge Cuban community.