Richard Ellis 鈥�19 discusses the Islamic influences in the architecture of the former Tampa Bay Hotel, home to the Plant Museum - Bay News 9
Richard Ellis has been studying Orientalist Architecture for as long as he鈥檚 lived in Tampa.
鈥淚鈥檝e been in the city for a decade and so looking around at these familiar places from a vantage point is really refreshing,鈥� said Ellis.
This is his first time he鈥檚 been inside a minaret at the former Tampa Bay Hotel, which is now Plant Hall at the University of Tampa. It鈥檚 10 stories off the ground.
鈥淚t was built in the style of Islamic architecture because that style was associated with supreme luxury,鈥� said Ellis.
The hotel was completed in 1891.
A teacher of Art History, Ellis helped interpret the Henry B. Plant Museum鈥檚 latest exhibition-- 鈥淚magined East鈥擠ecorative Art and the Imperial Gaze.
Railroad magnate Henry B. Plant traveled the world and brought back international treasures for the hotel. One of the pieces on display is a painting of the Alcazar of Seville in Spain.
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