The F. Lozano and Sons Building which was constructed in 1907 and housed the F. Lozano and Sons Cigar Company has been restored to serve a new purpose that will touch the lives of many in need.

The Institute, which was established to facilitate corneal transplants, purchased the F. Lozano Building at 1410 N. 20th Street in Ybor City in 2005 to serve as its new headquarters and research center. In its history, the three-story 28,000 square foot facility also housed a casket factory and it served as offices for Hillsborough County’s Environmental Protection Commission.

The first floor includes laboratories for the eye and tissue bank and for research for glaucoma and macular degeneration. The third floor houses administrative offices for the Eye Institute and the Lions Eye Institute Foundation. On the second floor there is a 4,500 square foot ballroom with a full catering kitchen and a 1,950 square foot multipurpose room for rental by area community groups. The space is made available to non-profit organizations for free or at reduced rates.