As Tampa Bay moves into 2026, the region’s growth story is becoming more defined.
Capital is concentrating around walkable districts, mixed-use density and projects that move beyond planning into real construction.
From downtown Tampa to St. Petersburg and Ybor City, these developments signal where demand, infrastructure and long-term value are converging.
Below are the projects that matter most.
Gasworx, Ybor City
15-block mixed-use district | Phased openings starting 2026
Gasworx is transforming one of Tampa’s most disconnected areas into a walkable district linking Ybor City with downtown and Channelside.
Unlike Water Street, which rose on largely open land, Gasworx is being built within a historic neighborhood shaped by rail lines, brick structures and legacy infrastructure.
Led by KETTLER, the district emphasizes neighborhood scale over towers. Blocks are tighter, buildings are lower and streets are designed for daily use rather than destination traffic.
Three residential buildings are under construction, The Stevedore opening in early 2026, followed by The Luisa and Olivette in 2027, all surrounding a central one-acre park.
Why it matters:
- Closes a long-missing physical gap between Ybor, downtown and Channelside
- Adds real mixed-use density instead of single-purpose zones
- Preserves Ybor’s history through naming, design and adaptive reuse
- Expands Tampa’s urban core and long-term growth path
ONE Tampa, downtown Tampa
225 luxury condos | Delivery expected 2027
ONE Tampa reflects a broader theme across the region: Tampa is still early in its luxury condo cycle.
Developers see strong employment growth, corporate relocations and rising executive demand as long-term drivers rather than short-term spikes.
READ: Tampa Bay’s growth is no accident: 2026 outlook
The project sits within a downtown core that remains supply-constrained compared to peer markets.
Buyers are increasingly seeking lock-and-leave urban living that places work, dining and entertainment within walking distance.
Why it matters:
- Signals confidence in downtown Tampa residential demand
- Adds density without overshooting price sensitivity
- Supports downtown retail and street-level activity
Hotel ORA + Private Residences, downtown Tampa
$675M mixed-use | Groundbreaking targeted 2026
Hotel ORA continues to advance with strong presales and an all-cash land strategy that reduces financing risk in a tight lending environment.
The project includes a luxury hotel, branded residences, convention space, dining and rooftop amenities positioned near Water Street.
With more than $200M in presale contracts secured, the development highlights growing appetite for condo-hotel models that combine ownership flexibility with income potential.
Why it matters:
- Demonstrates global buyer confidence in Tampa
- Adds hospitality capacity near the Convention Center and arena
- Reinforces downtown as a luxury destination
Downtown Tampa entertainment district
3,500-seat venue | Construction planned 2027
A new entertainment district anchored by a 3,500-seat live music venue is planned across from Benchmark International Arena.
The project fills a critical gap between small clubs and arena-scale venues, making Tampa more competitive for touring artists.
READ: TAMPA BAY REAL ESTATE NEWS
The district also includes a hotel, retail, dining and structured parking designed to activate the area beyond event nights.
Why it matters:
- Expands downtown Tampa’s entertainment ecosystem
- Increases foot traffic near Water Street and the Riverwalk
- Strengthens Tampa’s appeal as a live events market
Tampa Police Department HQ redevelopment site
1-acre downtown parcel | RFP issued
The City of Tampa has placed the police headquarters site on the market with a minimum asking price of $36M.
The full-block parcel sits at the center of the Central Business District and represents one of downtown’s rare redevelopment opportunities.
READ: TAMPA BAY BUSINESS NEWS
Developers are required to submit full financing, design and construction plans, making this a high-bar, catalyst-level site.
Why it matters:
- Opens a once-in-a-generation downtown development opportunity
- Positioned to attract jobs, housing or innovation-focused uses
- Could reshape the city’s civic and commercial core
Gallery Haus, downtown St. Petersburg
$125M mixed-use | Demolition beginning
Gallery Haus is moving from planning to execution, with demolition of a 23-story mixed-use tower near Tropicana Field set to begin.
The project will deliver 254 homes, a coworking space, retail and wellness amenities adjacent to the Pinellas Trail.
Backed by a site work loan and a proven Miami development model, Gallery Haus stands out for advancing while many projects remain stalled.
Why it matters:
- Adds housing in a supply-constrained downtown market
- Sits next to the planned Historic Gas Plant District rebuild
- Signals real momentum in St. Petersburg’s urban core
St. Petersburg condo market expansion
New inventory delivering | 2025–2026
While Tampa’s condo pipeline remains tight, St. Petersburg is entering a new phase with completed and near-complete inventory coming online.
Branded residences and move-in-ready condos are reshaping buyer choice and putting competitive pressure on existing buildings.
Why it matters:
- Shifts buyer leverage toward finished product
- Attracts out-of-market buyers familiar with branded living
- Reinforces St. Petersburg as a mature urban market
What this says about Tampa Bay in 2026
The region is no longer defined by speculative growth.
Projects moving forward share common traits: walkability, mixed-use density, disciplined capital structures and respect for place.
Tampa Bay is not just building more. It is building more intentionally.
For business leaders, investors and developers, these projects mark where the next phase of the region’s economy is taking shape.
