LeBron James Family Foundation Purchases Akron's Historic Tangier Restaurant

The LeBron James Family Foundation announced on Tuesday it has purchased Akron's Tangier restaurant.

The organization will turn the restaurant into a facility called "House Three Thirty," a multi-use space for iPromise families as well as other members of the Akron community.

"House Three Thirty" will include a sports complex on the top deck of the restaurant sponsored by Dick’s Sporting goods as well as a newly renovated indoor facility. An Old El Paso restaurant, coffee bar, retail space, ice cream parlor and even a Chase Bank will also be part of the facility.

"We just love these people for what they do for the community," said Ed George, owner of the historic Tangier.

After 65 years of owning the restaurant, George says the place could use some work and needed an update.

"When they came along especially with his name behind it, and what they're going to do for these kids, it made sense for us to be interested in this," he explained.

The building was once of the most popular fine-dining spots in Akron, and its cabaret hosted big names such as Tina Turner, James Brown and Danny Thomas. George’s daughter, Angelica, took the reins several years ago and transitioned it into an event space.

In July, the Georges and LeBron James Family announced an initial partnership for new uses of the 50,000 square foot space.

In a Tuesday tweet, the LeBron James Family Foundation expressed excitement at the prospect of breathing new life into the facility.

"House Three Thirty is everything our families and community need, all under one roof. It’s a place where all are welcome to enter, and all leave with a new purpose. A purpose that takes shape one moment, one movement at a time,” the foundation wrote.

The facility is expected to be ready by 2022.

Copyright 2020 WKSU. To see more, visit WKSU.