Industry Insights

The Pinellas County Commission has adopted a new ordinance aimed at increasing oversight and accountability for short-term rental properties in unincorporated areas of the county. The ordinance establishes a certification process for rental owners, sets safety and occupancy requirements and outlines rules on parking, noise and inspections. The goal is to preserve quality of life

Cirque St. Armands Beachside, a new boutique hotel inspired by Sarasota’s circus heritage, has officially opened on Florida’s west coast. Located steps from Lido Beach, the 135-room hotel features a design that blends Art Deco and circus-inspired elements including striped columns, ornate feather chandeliers and vintage circus posters. The hotel is part of the Opal

Kolter Group has announced a new luxury development, at 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, in Sarasota, featuring residential condominiums and a full-service Hyatt Centric Harborside hotel. Construction is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025. Located in Sarasota’s waterfront district, at Quay Commons and Boulevard of the Arts, the development will offer direct

The Whitaker Group plans to relocate its Social Status retail store to a new, larger space in Tampa’s historic Ybor City neighborhood. The move from Hyde Park to Ybor City is scheduled for spring, 2025. The new 2,794-square-foot store, located at 1318 E 7th Ave., will be near landmarks significant to Tampa’s Cuban heritage including

LEGOLAND Florida Resort provided an early look at its upcoming SEA LIFE Florida Aquarium, during a behind-the-scenes hard hat tour. The new attraction, described as the world’s first “Theme Park Under the Sea,” is scheduled to open on May 23, 2025. “SEA LIFE Florida is designed to be a child’s first aquarium experience,” said Franceen

American Integrity Insurance has signed a 75,000-square-foot lease at Bayport Plaza, a Class A office tower in Tampa’s Westshore submarket. The company plans to relocate its headquarters to the new location in early 2026, occupying three floors and becoming the first tenant to secure building-top signage at the property. Stream Realty Partners represented American Integrity

The first phase of Hotel ORA + Private Residences, a $675 million condominium-hotel project planned for downtown Tampa, has sold out within 40 days of launching. The initial phase sales totaled more than $84 million, with 97 units purchased. Located at 1101 East Jackson Street, the development will include 658 units, comprising 31 private residences

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden will be at the Hooters Owl’s Nest at the Valspar Championship on Thursday, March 20, from 1 to 3 p.m. Fans attending the tournament will have the opportunity to meet Gruden, while taking in views of the Copperhead Course. The Hooters Owl’s Nest, located near the 12th

Moffitt Cancer Center has appointed Josh Carpenter as president of SPEROS FL, the cancer center’s 775-acre global innovation campus, in Pasco County. Carpenter will also serve as Moffitt’s chief integration officer, overseeing strategic alignment between the cancer center and its research and commercial partners. Carpenter will guide SPEROS FL’s expansion as a biotechnology and life

Baseball Hall of Famers Wade Boggs and Gary Sheffield, along with former major leaguer Orestes Destrade, will headline the annual Baseball, Bourbon and Cigars event on March 20, in Ybor City. Hosted by the Florida Sports Hall of Fame, the event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at JC Newman Cigar Co., the

While many in the news have been widely covering the rising cost of everyday items, they’ve been surprisingly quiet about the state of the real estate market lately. I suspect that’s because they’re concerned about causing a panic that could lead to a market crash. What I’m afraid they don’t realize is that we may

PulteGroup has announced plans for Del Webb Explore North River Ranch, a new residential community designed for homebuyers seeking a resort-style living experience. Located in the North River Ranch master-planned community, the development will span 413 acres, between Tampa and Sarasota, and feature 901 homes. It is designed to appeal to Gen X buyers and