Key Takeaways
- Strategic Property Partners has announced plans for a new entertainment district in downtown Tampa, featuring a 3,500-seat live music venue, hotel, retail space, and structured parking.
- The project is planned for a vacant parcel on Channelside Drive, directly across from Amalie Arena, and is expected to strengthen the entertainment ecosystem in the area.
- The development will include a 250-room hotel, approximately 100,000 square feet of retail, dining, and entertainment space, and more than 1,000 parking spaces.
- The project is expected to extend activity along Channelside Drive, creating a continuous entertainment corridor that operates beyond event nights.
- Groundbreaking is targeted for 2027, pending final planning, approvals, and permitting.
Introduction to the Project
Strategic Property Partners has announced plans for a new entertainment district proposed for downtown Tampa, adding a mid-sized live music venue, hotel, retail space, and structured parking to the Water Street Tampa master-planned development. The privately financed project is planned for a vacant parcel on Channelside Drive, directly across from Amalie Arena, between Morgan Street and Jefferson Street. This new development is expected to bring a new level of entertainment and excitement to the area, and will be a welcome addition to the existing Water Street Tampa neighborhood.
The Entertainment District
The proposal calls for a purpose-built district anchored by a 3,500-seat live music and performance venue, intended to serve touring artists that currently fall between small clubs and large arenas. Strategic Property Partners plans to partner with Vinik Sports Group to operate and manage the venue, integrating it into the broader event programming ecosystem surrounding Water Street Tampa. The site sits within walking distance of the Tampa Riverwalk, the Tampa Convention Center, and nearby hotels and residential neighborhoods, and is positioned to function as a westward extension of Water Street Tampa and Ford Thunder Alley.
Project Details
In addition to the performance venue, the district is planned to include a 250-room hotel, approximately 100,000 square feet of retail, dining, and entertainment space, and more than 1,000 parking spaces intended to support both the district and nearby event activity. The development team believes that this project will address a gap in downtown Tampa’s live performance infrastructure by providing a flexible, mid-capacity space that complements larger facilities in the region. The goal is to accommodate emerging and mid-tier performers while expanding the range of events that can be programmed downtown.
Benefits of the Project
According to Josh Taube, CEO of Strategic Property Partners, "Water Street Tampa was designed to evolve, and this entertainment district is the next step in completing the larger vision." The project is expected to strengthen the entertainment ecosystem surrounding the arena, forging the live entertainment center of Tampa Bay. Steve Griggs, Chief Executive Officer of Vinik Sports Group, added that "fans will see more shows, more often, and with greater variety." The project is also expected to extend activity along Channelside Drive by linking the new district more directly with Ford Thunder Alley and the arena, creating a continuous entertainment corridor that operates beyond event nights.
Community Impact
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has expressed her support for the project, stating that "this Water Street expansion moves Tampa forward as a top entertainment destination." The project is expected to strengthen tourism and create new experiences for residents and visitors, all within steps of the Riverwalk and Convention Center. The development is also expected to have a positive impact on the local economy, creating new jobs and stimulating growth in the area.
Timeline and Next Steps
Strategic Property Partners has indicated that groundbreaking is targeted for 2027, pending final planning, approvals, and permitting. The development team is working to move the project forward as quickly as possible, while also ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to ensure the project’s success. As the project moves forward, it is expected to bring a new level of excitement and entertainment to the downtown Tampa area, and will be a welcome addition to the existing Water Street Tampa neighborhood.
