Knight and Wall Company Building, corner of Lafayette and Tampa Streets
View of Rialto Theater at 1621 Franklin Street. 1925. Burgert Brothers. Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System
Bank of America Plaza, 101 E Kennedy Blvd. 2021. © Chip Weiner
The hardware wholesaler Knight and Wall building was a landmark, not only because of its structure but also due to the 33,000 gal. water tank on top of it. It was once painted to look like a spray paint can, but in the early 1950s, it was revamped to resemble an Early Times whiskey bottle. It could be seen for miles. The company, owned by Henry L. Knight and Perry G. Wall, started in 1884 and built this 3-story structure on the corner of Lafayette (now Kennedy) and Tampa Streets in 1891.
The business grew to be one of the largest hardware sellers in Florida. They moved their operation to Adamo Drive in 1967, and it lasted until 1980 when it was purchased by Alchar Wholesale Hardware based in Miami. Alchar was bankrupt by 1982. The Knight and Wall building at 101 Kennedy Blvd was torn down that same year. Begun in 1983, the 42-story, $100-million Barnett Bank building was completed by the Paragon Group in 1986. It towered over Tampa City Center as the tallest building in the city until the completion of 100 North Tampa in 1992. It is now known as the Bank of America Plaza.
© Chip Weiner. All rights reserved
From Burgert Brothers: Look Again, Vol. 1