Tampa Union Station

Tampa Union Station was completed in 1912 under the direction of architect Joseph F. Leitner, built as a union depot to consolidate rail services for Atlantic Coast Line, Seaboard Air Line, and Tampa Northern Railroad lines. Its elegant form—rendered in the Italian Renaissance Revival style—served as a grand gateway to the city, combining both utility and architectural presence. For much of the 20th century it remained a bustling transportation hub, but by the 1980s the building had slipped into neglect, plagued by leaking roofs, deteriorating plaster, and interior decay. In 1984 it closed its doors, but after years of advocacy and fundraising, it was restored and reopened in 1998, and was transferred into public hands. Today, the station continues to operate for rail passengers while also serving as a civic and event space, and it is once again undergoing renewal to preserve its historic character for future generations.