Ybor’s Gasworx reveals historic names for new buildings
KETTLER’s Gasworx development bridges Tampa’s future and Ybor’s history through three new buildings named to celebrate the city’s cultural roots.
Chuck Merlis
Published: October 21, 2025 | Updated: December 11, 2025
In a move that bridges Tampa’s past and future, KETTLER, a national real estate developer and property management company, has announced the names of three new residential buildings rising in Ybor City’s Gasworx district: The Luisa, Olivette and The Stevedore.
Each name is a tribute to the workers, immigrants and cultural figures who helped shape Ybor City more than a century ago.
Each name carries weight and purpose, weaving Ybor City’s history into the fabric of its next chapter. The announcement highlights how thoughtful storytelling and place-making can shape the identity of an entire district — one that reflects Tampa’s cultural roots while setting the stage for future growth and preservation.
What Happened
On Oct. 21, 2025, KETTLER unveiled the names of its next three buildings in the Gasworx development: The Luisa, Olivette, and The Stevedore.
According to the company, the names were selected through a deliberate process that included archival research, consultation with the Tampa Bay History Center and input from community leaders.
“Gasworx represents more than just a collection of buildings. It’s a vision turning into an intentional, carefully crafted extension of Tampa’s urban sense of place,” said Graham Tyrrell, managing director for Florida at KETTLER. “These names connect directly to the people, ships, traditions and industries that built Ybor City. They ensure the district grows with authenticity and respect for its roots.”
The three buildings each carry historical meaning:
The Luisa, named for Luisa Capetillo, Ybor’s only recorded female lector, honors the intellectual and cultural life of cigar factory workers.
Olivette, named after the steamship Olivette, recognizes Tampa’s link to Havana and the immigrant journeys that shaped its workforce.
The Stevedore, named for the dockworkers who powered the city’s port, pays tribute to the laborers who transformed Tampa into a commercial hub.
Together, they form part of a development that includes over 900 residences, 55,000 square feet of retail, and a master plan that connects Ybor City to downtown through walkable streets, public parks and historic architecture.
Underway in Ybor
Construction is underway across all three sites:
The Stevedore is expected to open in early 2026, built by Juneau Construction.
The Luisa, built by CBG, will follow in spring 2027.
Olivette, constructed by Moss, is slated for completion in summer 2027.
The announcement follows the success of La Unión Residences & Social Hall, completed in 2024. The building honors La Unión Martí-Maceo, an Afro-Cuban social hall that once stood on the same site.
La Unión Residences, the first completed building at Gasworx, pays tribute to Ybor’s Afro-Cuban heritage and sets the tone for the district’s revival.
KETTLER says naming decisions for Gasworx’s planned marketplace and trophy office tower are in progress, with announcements expected later this year.
Business impact
For developers and investors, this naming strategy demonstrates how authentic storytelling can differentiate large-scale projects in a crowded real estate market. By embedding cultural heritage into the brand identity, Gasworx adds emotional and historical depth that resonates with residents and visitors alike.
For local businesses, the new retail spaces across The Luisa, Olivette and The Stevedore will create opportunities for restaurants, boutiques and service providers to establish a presence in one of Tampa’s fastest-growing urban corridors.
For the community, the project represents a rare balance between progress and preservation — proof that redevelopment can honor history without erasing it.
“It’s fitting that so many of the new place names reflect the people and places of Ybor’s past, carrying their legacy into the future,” said Rodney Kite-Powell, historian and curator at the Tampa Bay History Center.
Rooted progress
Gasworx blends growth with meaning in Tampa’s evolving landscape. By choosing names rooted in Ybor’s history, the project positions itself not only as a development but as a cultural restoration.
It’s a reminder that progress can honor the past, and that storytelling still matters in shaping the future of a city.
