Because of the great demand of tiles in Florida one or two factories were established in the forties including our company. Tile floors were once popular in tropical climates because they were cool, long lasting and easy to maintain. American tourists visiting Cuba in the forties and fifties often brought back tiles to put in their homes and before long a new industry was born in South Florida. But in the 1960’s, when air-conditioning and wall-to-wall carpeting became prevalent, demand for the tile floors decreased. Other factories went out of business but Cuban Tropical Tile still has its faithful customers, most of them architects, designers, builders and general contractors.
Even when its original founder Heriberto Borroto decided to retire after retaining a prestigious name for the company, with projects like the restoration of the Institute of San Carlos in Key West, FL; matching the original tiles used in 1924. Later the company came into the hands of a Venezuelan Economist, Ramon Curiel who retired after ten years, having achieved an excellent portfolio of work. Such projects included providing tiles in the residences of celebrities like the actor Andy Garcia, Robert Denning, president of the New York design firm of Denning & Fourcade, Joe Allen’s South Beach Restaurant, Coral Gables Congregational Church, built in 1923, Holly Hunt Gallery and many more.
Now Bs. Civil Eng. Manuel Moreno is the new President/Owner who during the last sixteen years, began as an assistant to Mr. Borroto, and in the Mr. Curiel period, led to Site & Project Operation Manager and chief in the Quality Control department.
Cuban Tropical Tile expanded to manufacturing tiles for residential projects, restaurants, hotels, and office buildings, particularly shopping centers, in selected areas such as, Coral Gables, South Beach, Coconut Grove, Key Biscayne and Broward etc. Presently, Cuban Tropical Tile Co. does not limit itself to South Florida. It has expanded itself to places like Tampa, Naples, Sarasota, Orlando, New York, Chicago, New Jersey, Los Angeles and Jamaica.
Cuban Tropical Tile is a fully licensed and insured company authorized to produce and install tile under the Certificate of Competency # 04BS01061.