New images show what’s planned around proposed Rays’ ballpark

The Tampa Bay Rays released renderings Thursday showing the office component planned for the proposed Forever Home development next to the team’s new ballpark.

The images show glass office buildings alongside restaurants, retail, public plazas and landscaped walkways. Rays Chief Executive Officer Ken Babby said the team has spent the summer meeting with Fortune 500 companies outside Tampa Bay, as well as local businesses, that have expressed preliminary interest in locating offices in the development. The Rays did not identify the companies or announce any leasing agreements.

“We have said from the start that this project is about much more than baseball and a new ballpark,” Babby said. “The proposed privately financed district that will be made possible by a new ballpark is attracting interest and gaining significant momentum.”

The proposed 100-acre development calls for more than 8 million square feet across four districts: Champions Quarter, Innovation Edge, The Canopy and The Row. Plans include about 400,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space, residential buildings, a convention hotel and a redesigned Hillsborough College campus.

The district was designed by Gensler and Populous. The Rays said they will release additional renderings, including the full master plan, in the coming months.

An economic study commissioned for the project estimates the development would generate $55.5 billion in economic activity over 30 years, create 11,900 permanent jobs and attract about 10 million visitors annually.

The proposed district would rise next to Raymond James Stadium, George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa International Airport and the Westshore business district.

The Rays, Hillsborough College, the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County continue negotiating a funding agreement for the project. The team expects the ballpark and surrounding development to open in 2029.