Open Gate Motel, 4810 North Florida Avenue
Open Gate Motel, 4810 North Florida Avenue. 1957. Burgert Brothers. Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System
Open Gate Motel, 4810 North Florida Avenue. 2021. © Chip Weiner
A December 16, 1950, Tampa Morning Tribune business section advertisement states that the Open Gate Motel is Tampa’s “newest and most modern motel, featuring 14 modernly decorated and furnished units.” In 1959, the owners sold the motel to a Tampa couple for $90,000. That turned out to be a wise investment. In 1960, the couple sold the motel again for $128,500.
The horseshoe-shaped hotel has experienced very few changes over the course of its life but remains an open business that rents rooms by the night, week, or month.
© Chip Weiner. All rights reserved
From Burgert Brothers: Look Again, Vol.2