The final phase of construction began last week on the historic Sanchez y Haya Hotel in Tampa’s Ybor City. Built in 1910, the building once served as a hub for cigar workers and sits across the street from J.C. Newman’s famed El Reloj factory, but it fell into disrepair after decades of neglect.

Now owned by J.C. Newman, the hotel has been structurally stabilized, stripped to its bones, cleared of a long-running bat infestation, and readied for a complete revival. With $18 million in public and private investment — including major support from Hillsborough County and Tampa’s CRA — it is slated to open as a boutique hotel and cigar destination in November 2026.

J.C. Newman president Drew Newman called the project a “responsibility and tribute to Tampa’s cigar story.”

See coverage of the story on Tampa Bay’s Fox 13.

This article was adapted from an original report published on tobaccoreporter.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.