This week in Tampa Bay real estate.
The freshest development, infrastructure, retail, school, and market activity across Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, summarized from public reporting and official sources by our team and linked to the original coverage. Updated weekly. Last updated July 3, 2026.
The latest, newest first.
Want the running history for a specific area? Each county hub keeps its own tracked timeline: Hillsborough County, Pinellas County. Community pages on the interactive map carry the same tracked sections for the neighborhoods we cover.
- July 2, 2026Retail & DiningHillsborough County
Michelin adds Big Ray's Fish Camp in South Tampa to its national seafood shack list
The Michelin Guide named Big Ray's Fish Camp in South Tampa among America's best seafood shack restaurants and renewed its Michelin Recommended designation for 2026. The restaurant first earned the designation in 2025 and also operates a location inside the Tampa Convention Center.
Source: Tampa Bay Business and Wealth - July 2, 2026DevelopmentPinellas County
St. Petersburg mayor names preferred developers for the Historic Gas Plant District
Mayor Ken Welch announced his preferred team for the Historic Gas Plant redevelopment, pairing Blake Investment Partners with the Pinellas County Housing Authority. The plan includes housing, retail, office, hotel and park space, plus a separate seven-story, 94-unit affordable senior housing building with direct access to the Pinellas Trail. City Council approval is still required and some members have signaled opposition.
Source: St Pete Catalyst - July 2, 2026DevelopmentPinellas County
Permit filings advance the 120-unit Grand Oaks phase at Rainbow Village in Largo
Newstar Development submitted eight building permit applications for Grand Oaks, a roughly 48.1 million dollar, 120-unit affordable housing phase of the Pinellas County Housing Authority's Rainbow Village redevelopment in Largo. Plans show four apartment buildings, a clubhouse and two stormwater ponds, with financing expected to close before construction starts in January 2027. Full buildout of all four phases would roughly double the site's capacity from about 200 apartments to about 400.
Source: St Pete Catalyst - July 1, 2026DevelopmentHillsborough County
Kolter starts construction on Alton Brandon apartments off Graves Road
Kolter bought about 17 acres at 2408 Graves Road near Interstate 75 in Brandon and has begun building Alton Brandon, a 280 unit community across five four story buildings with a central clubhouse. Floor plans range from one to three bedrooms, and the site plan includes a pool, a pet spa and 365 parking spaces. Move ins are expected in late 2027.
Source: Business Observer FL - June 29, 2026DevelopmentPinellas County
Downtown St. Petersburg tower lands 135 million dollar construction loan
Developers Focus and Bradford Allen secured a 135 million dollar construction loan from Affinius Capital for a planned 24 story tower at 275 5th Street in downtown St. Petersburg. The mixed use project is slated to include 373 apartments and about 6,384 square feet of retail, with amenities such as a pool, sun deck and coworking space. Construction is expected to begin soon with completion planned for 2028.
Source: Business Observer FL - June 26, 2026CivicHillsborough County
Tampa weighs adding a zoning hearing officer step before council votes
Tampa's Charter Review Commission is studying whether rezoning applications should first go to an independent hearing officer instead of directly to City Council. The presentation drew on Hillsborough County's long running hearing officer system, which prepares findings of fact and forwards recommendations to commissioners. Commissioners directed staff to prepare options ranging from a charter amendment to an ordinance to no change.
Source: Tampa Bay Business and Wealth - June 25, 2026Retail & DiningHillsborough County
Midtown Tampa adds Pura Vida Miami, CorePower Yoga and The Shade Store
Bromley Companies and Ram Realty Advisors said three national brands will join the Midtown Tampa mixed-use district, including the Pura Vida Miami all-day restaurant chain, a CorePower Yoga studio and home brand The Shade Store. The leasing follows a retail joint venture the partners formed earlier in the year to refine the 23-acre property's tenant mix, with opening dates not yet disclosed.
Source: Tampa Bay Business and Wealth - June 22, 2026DevelopmentHillsborough County
Land-use change could allow a 280-home community near Lithia
Hillsborough County is reviewing whether to bring roughly 190 acres along Lithia Pinecrest Road into its Urban Service Area, a step that could allow up to 280 single-family homes on land that currently supports about 37. Planning staff found the proposal consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, while the school district reported available elementary and middle capacity but insufficient high school capacity, with companion plan amendments scheduled for an Aug. 13 hearing.
Source: Tampa Bay Business and Wealth - June 22, 2026DevelopmentSkyhawk
Hillsborough weighs Urban Service Area change to allow 280 homes on Lithia Pinecrest Road
Hillsborough County is reviewing a request to bring about 190 acres along Lithia Pinecrest Road, north of Dorman Road and west of Browning Road, into its Urban Service Area, which would permit up to 280 single-family homes where current rules allow roughly 37. Planning staff found the request consistent with the Comprehensive Plan; the school district reported elementary and middle capacity but insufficient high school capacity, and transportation staff estimated about 2,500 daily trips plus a roundabout at the entrance. The rezoning went to the Zoning Hearing Master on June 22, with companion Comprehensive Plan amendments set for an Aug. 13 county commission hearing.
Source: Tampa Bay Business and Wealth - June 20, 2026Retail & DiningPinellas County
New ice cream shop and taco spot open in the Largo and Clearwater area
Strachan's opened an ice cream shop in the Horizon West Bay area of Largo, and a second Poblanos Mexican Grill and Bar opened in May at 2659 Roosevelt Blvd. in Clearwater behind Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen. Both additions expand independent food options along the U.S. 19 corridor.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - June 19, 2026MarketPinellas County
Two downtown St. Petersburg buildings sell for 32.5 million dollars
A buyer acquired the former Tampa Bay Times office building and the historic Tramor Cafeteria property in downtown St. Petersburg for a reported 32.5 million dollars. Both sites have figured in prior redevelopment discussions.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - June 2026InfrastructureSkyhawk
Hillsborough moves the Lithia Pinecrest corridor study toward a planning milestone
Hillsborough County's capital project page for the Lithia Pinecrest Road corridor improvements shows the Project Development and Environment study covering 7.5 miles from FishHawk Boulevard to Lumsden Road, plus a section of Bloomingdale Avenue, with the planning phase listed as complete in early 2026. The county's current program estimate totals about 245.8 million dollars, including roughly 133.2 million dollars for construction, though design and construction dates remain to be determined.
Source: Hillsborough County - June 3, 2026InfrastructurePinellas County
Pinellas and Army Corps reach beach renourishment funding deal
Pinellas County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed an agreement that resolves a multiyear standoff over property easements and restores federal funding for most of the county's beach renourishment. The deal drops the requirement for owners to grant permanent easements.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - May 15, 2026DevelopmentHillsborough County
Nearly 400 apartments and retail proposed for former Westshore hotel site
Cardinal Point Management filed plans to replace the former Ramada Tampa Westshore at 1200 N. West Shore Blvd. with 398 apartments, about 7,500 square feet of ground-floor retail and a 701-space parking garage. The 237-room hotel, built in 1973, would be demolished under a City of Tampa application near Interstate 275, Tampa International Airport and International Plaza.
Source: Tampa Bay Business and Wealth - May 2026InfrastructureSkyhawk
County opens public feedback on the Lithia Pinecrest and County Road 39 intersection upgrade
Hillsborough County held a community feedback period from May 12 to May 26, 2026 for planned improvements at the Lithia Pinecrest Road and County Road 39 intersection, a short drive from the Skyhawk site. Plans call for dual left-turn lanes on both Lithia Pinecrest approaches, new right-turn lanes on all approaches, updated signals with pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, and added stormwater ponds, with design complete by mid 2030 and construction running from early 2031 to early 2033 on a roughly 10.9 million dollar budget.
Source: Hillsborough County - April 30, 2026DevelopmentPinellas County
Four teams present Gas Plant District redevelopment visions
Four shortlisted teams gave public presentations on their proposals to redevelop the roughly 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District around Tropicana Field. The teams were Blake Investment Partners, Foundation Vision Partners, the Pinellas County Housing Authority and Ark Ellison Horus.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - April 8, 2026DevelopmentPinellas County
Construction begins on The Bluffs at the former Clearwater City Hall site
Work started on The Bluffs, a 28-story mixed-use tower planned for the former Clearwater City Hall site. Plans call for roughly 400 apartments plus ground-floor retail space.
Source: Tampa Bay Times
Summaries reflect public reporting and official sources linked above as of the dates shown. Project details, timelines, and approvals can change. Nothing here is investment advice or a prediction for any specific property.
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