NORTH HYDE PARK - The city council has given initial local historic status to a 1926 building that originally housed a furniture store and recently was restored.

Gary Dicus bought the building in 2004 for $530,000 and hopes to create an interior design and home furnishing district.

Dicus will lease the two-story brick building, 302 N. Willow Ave., to Ferguson Enterprises. The building, which has large first-floor windows, will become a showroom for the Newport News, Va.-based company specializing in plumbing, lighting fixtures and appliances. Ferguson plans to move its Waters Avenue showroom to Willow in February.

The council voted 5-0 on Dec. 6, with a final hearing on the local historic designation set for 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

"It is really great to see this part of the town find its roots again," Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena said.

The building was home to an electrical components manufacturer before Dicus bought it. He said he was impressed with the original design and wanted to preserve it.

"I thought it was beautiful as it was first built," Dicus said. "It was pleasing to keep it that way."

Dicus owns a 1920s building at 309 N. Willow Ave. that houses his rug and carpet business, Addison/Dicus Co. He also rents space to merchants who sell antiques, art and furnishings.

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 835-2110 or jpatino@tampatrib.com.