Top 7 Development Projects in Tampa’s Downtown Area

A Growing Downtown District

We have all heard about the new Water Street Tampa district, the downtown mega-development by Jeff Vinik’s Strategic Property Partners. But did you realize how many more projects are in the works in the surrounding areas? Recently, I had the privilege of taking a narrated bus tour to learn more and see how the Hillsborough River eventually could be the geographic center of downtown.

Here is a list of the other Top 7 projects:

1. Lafayette Place – FL-685 & W Bank River Walk

The proposed mixed-use development at the former Lafayette St. Bridge could bring retail, office, hotel and residential space. The six acres near the Kennedy Blvd. Bridge could add to the skyline with its 40-story Lafayette Tower. Lafayette Parkview provides high-end residential homes along with retail and parking with Lafayette Central creating an urban living environment.

2. Riverwalk Tower – 103 S Ashley Dr

The proposed Riverwalk Tower is to be built on this vacant lot along the Tampa Riverwalk. The ground-floor restaurants on the Riverwalk would join 31 stories of 220 luxury condominiums, 14 stories of 215,000 sf of office space and seven stories of parking.

3. Tampa Tribune Redevelopment – 202 S. Parker St.

The former Tampa Tribune headquarters is currently under construction and is being redeveloped into a 400-unit luxury apartment building with restaurant space on the ground floor.

4. Altis Grand Central – 502 W. Grand Central Ave.

Proposed 10,000 sf of retail space and 314 luxury apartment units near Oxford Exchange, the development would be bordered by Grand Central Avenue to the north, Cleveland Street to the south, Cedar Street to the east and Magnolia Street to the west. Grand Central Place, the 1925 building across from the development site which includes 43,200 sf of office space and restaurant Mise En Place, has also been purchased by the developer.

5. Armature Works – 1910 N Ola Ave.

Renovation of the 70,000 sf Armature Works building in the Tampa Heights neighborhood gives unobstructed views of the Hillsborough River in the adaptive mixed-use building. This hub will showcase the Heights Public Market, progressive eateries, event areas and co-working space. Featured restaurants include Hemingway’s (soulful Cuban classics with a contemporary twist), Surf and Turf (fresh, local and wild-caught seafood that’s friendly and casual), Ichicoro Imoto (mod-casual contemporary Ramen-Ya), Inside the Box (contemporary Americana and grocery market), BnB (boutique butcher showcasing charcuterie and artisan cheeses), and Fine & Dandy (cocktail emporium focusing on package sales, craft cocktail kits and classes).

6. The Heights – 401 W Oak Ave

The Heights is a massive $820 million and 43-acre mixed-use development that includes 1,500 residential units and 640,000 sf of commercial space, including Armature Works. It could create a dense urban bookend to Water Street Tampa for a walkable area popular among Millennials.

7. The Pearl – 2129 N Ola Ave.

Part of The Heights development, this 314-unit apartment building also holds 28,500 sf of retail space on the ground floor.

With the redevelopment of Channelside Bay Plaza in addition to Water Street Tampa and the above projects, Tampa is booming! And Davis Islands continues to be a most desirable location, near the action.

Michelle DiGiore, contributor and 25 year resident of Davis Islands, can be reached at 813-453-3931 or Michelle.DiGiore@TomlinStCyr.com.