J.C. Newman Cigar Co. and a local restaurant group are teaming up to turn Ybor City’s historic Sanchez y Haya building into an upscale full-service restaurant, cigar lounge and small boutique hotel. The multi million dollar restoration of the 1910 landmark is slated to wrap in time for a reopening by Thanksgiving 2026, aiming to stitch the building back into everyday neighborhood life while tying El Reloj’s cigar tourism to new dining and lodging options right across the street.
What’s Going In
As reported by the Tampa Bay Times, the project pairs J.C. Newman with the hospitality team behind Willa’s and Cheeky’s and follows roughly a $20 million renovation. The Times’ early look includes photos and renderings that show off the restored facade and interior concepts. Developers say the ground floor is set to focus on dining and a curated cigar experience, with the upper level becoming a small inn.
Names and Concepts…