Zach’s Corner
Zach's Commercial Realestate Corner. Features news, thoughts on Florida's Commercial Real Estate and more.
-
Orlando’s Creative Village Is Entering the Phase Where Retail Must Catch Up With Development
Two new commercial leases and approximately $100 million in active Phase II construction suggest the innovation district is beginning to function more like a neighborhood. By Zachary Ellis | Zach’s Corner The success of a mixed-use district is not measured only by how many buildings rise from the ground. It is measured by what happens between them. Creative Village has already brought a university campus, corporate offices, apartments, student housing and a major public park to the western side of Downtown Orlando. Now, a pair of commercial leases at Modera Creative Village is offering another indicator of the district’s evolution. MADabolic and Image Studios have leased a combined 7,260 square feet of ground-floor space at the 292-unit Modera Creative Village apartment building. The additions bring the property’s commercial space to approximately 87% leased, according to reporting on the transactions. The leases are not enormous. Their significance comes from what they represent. Retail Often Arrives After the Renderings Large mixed-use developments frequently open in an awkward sequence. Apartments are delivered. Offices become occupied. Parks are completed. Students and employees begin arriving. The street-level businesses take longer. Retailers want proof that enough people are present throughout the day. Restaurants need confidence in…
Read More » -
Zephyrhills Wins a Four-State Manufacturing Competition as Monin Plans $111 Million Facility
A 70-acre production and distribution campus could signal that Pasco County’s long-promoted industrial strategy is beginning to deliver measurable results. For years, Zephyrhills was discussed primarily as a residential growth market on the outer edge of Tampa Bay. That description is becoming outdated. French-owned flavoring company Monin plans to purchase 70 acres in the Zephyrhills Airport Industrial Park for a new production and distribution facility serving customers across the United States. The company expects to invest more than $111 million during the project’s initial phase and hire more than 100 employees. Once fully operational, the facility is projected to support 173 ongoing jobs and generate approximately $53.9 million in annual economic output. Those figures make this more than another corporate expansion announcement. Monin evaluated 10 sites across four states before selecting Zephyrhills. Company executives identified labor availability, site readiness, long-term manufacturing potential and proximity to Monin’s existing Clearwater operation as key factors in the decision. In commercial real estate, that competitive process may be the most important part of the story. The Land Was Prepared Before the Company Arrived Major manufacturers rarely begin their search by asking which community has the most attractive promotional campaign. They begin with infrastructure, utilities,…
Read More » -
Construction Begins on 24-Story Manor Riverwalk Tower in Downtown Tampa
TAMPA, FL — Construction is officially underway on Manor Riverwalk, a new 24-story luxury apartment tower that will serve as the first phase of a transformative riverfront district planned along the Hillsborough River in Downtown Tampa. Developed by Related Group, the project represents a major investment in Tampa’s urban core and continues the city’s momentum as one of Florida’s fastest-growing downtown markets. Located at 101 South Parker Street near the intersection of Kennedy Boulevard and the Hillsborough River, Manor Riverwalk will feature 369 rental residences, approximately 18,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, an 805-space parking garage, and a 23,000-square-foot elevated amenity deck overlooking the waterfront. The development was designed by Arquitectonica with interior design by ID & Design International. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 17 and marks the beginning of what developers envision as a multi-phase riverfront district. The broader master plan encompasses approximately 5.8 acres and calls for more than 1,200 residential units across five buildings ranging from 12 to 44 stories, along with roughly 37,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. Future phases are expected to include additional apartment towers, condominium residences, retail destinations, and enhanced public waterfront access. The project will also connect…
Read More » -
Tampa Developer Plans 2,500-Home Master-Planned Community in Eastern Pasco County
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — A Tampa-based developer is making a significant investment in one of Florida’s fastest-growing regions, acquiring more than 3,500 acres in eastern Pasco County for a new master-planned community expected to bring approximately 2,500 homes to the area. The project, known as Verona, will be located near San Antonio and represents one of the largest residential development initiatives announced in the county this year. The development is being led by Eisenhower Property Group, which continues to expand its presence throughout the Tampa Bay region as demand for housing remains strong across Pasco County. Company officials say the community is designed to accommodate future population growth while creating a connected neighborhood environment that supports long-term economic development. “Pasco County continues to be one of Florida’s most dynamic growth corridors, and Verona is an exciting next chapter in that story,” Eisenhower Property Group President Jeffrey Hills said in announcing the project. The company indicated that the community will be designed to strengthen local connections while contributing to the county’s continued momentum. The announcement comes amid sustained residential growth throughout Pasco County, where new housing communities, infrastructure investments, and business relocations have fueled population gains over the past decade. Recent…
Read More » -
Florida Aquarium’s $45 Million Expansion Signals Long-Term Vision for Tampa Landmark
TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida Aquarium is entering a transformative new chapter as leaders advance a $45 million expansion designed to elevate the institution’s visitor experience, conservation impact, and national profile. Under the leadership of President and CEO Roger Germann, the Tampa attraction is pursuing what officials describe as a long-term strategy to position the aquarium among the nation’s premier marine science and conservation destinations. The expansion, known as the Sea Change initiative, represents one of the largest investments in the organization’s history and is expected to introduce new exhibits, enhanced educational opportunities, and expanded guest experiences. The project comes as The Florida Aquarium celebrates continued growth in attendance and community engagement while expanding its role in marine research, wildlife rescue, and environmental conservation. Germann has emphasized that the initiative is about more than physical improvements, focusing instead on creating compelling reasons for visitors to return while strengthening the aquarium’s connection to the Tampa Bay community. Several components of the expansion are already taking shape. In 2025, the aquarium unveiled The Tide Pool, an immersive hands-on exhibit that allows guests to interact with marine species in a larger and more engaging environment. Aquarium officials described the exhibit as an early…
Read More » -
Permits Advance for Echelon’s $225 Million Twin-Tower Development in Downtown St. Pete
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — One of downtown St. Petersburg’s largest planned residential developments has reached another key milestone as permits move forward for Echelon’s proposed twin-tower apartment project on the former UPC Insurance headquarters site. The mixed-use development, planned for approximately 3 acres at 800 2nd Avenue South, will transform a prominent downtown property into a high-density residential destination featuring two 31-story towers, hundreds of apartments, ground-floor retail space, and extensive resident amenities. The latest permit activity signals continued progress toward construction as developers work through the final stages of approvals. The project is being developed through a partnership between St. Petersburg-based Echelon and Tampa investment firm Third Lake Partners. Plans call for approximately 824 market-rate apartment units and more than 35,000 square feet of retail and commercial space designed to activate the surrounding streetscape. Once completed, the development will rank among the largest residential projects ever built in downtown St. Petersburg. The towers will rise roughly 343 feet above downtown, making them among the tallest structures in the city. The residential community will include studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom floorplans, with private balconies and premium amenities overlooking the downtown skyline and Tampa Bay waterfront. Project plans also include a…
Read More » -
Foxtail Coffee Expands Sarasota Presence with New Location at The Quay
SARASOTA, Fla. — Florida-based coffee chain Foxtail Coffee is preparing to open a new waterfront location at The Quay, one of Sarasota’s most prominent mixed-use developments, further expanding the brand’s footprint along the Gulf Coast. The upcoming café will be located at 468 Quay Commons, Suite G, in the heart of the rapidly growing downtown district. The new location is being developed by franchise owner Adrian Lojo, who already operates Foxtail Coffee stores in the Carrollwood and University of South Florida areas. According to Lojo, community demand helped drive the decision to bring the popular coffee brand to The Quay. “The Quay is this brand-new, really exciting development,” Lojo told What Now Tampa, noting that residents and visitors consistently expressed interest in having a dedicated coffee shop within the waterfront community. The new café is expected to open in mid-June pending final occupancy approvals. Founded in Winter Park, Florida, Foxtail Coffee has grown from a single neighborhood café into a regional brand with more than 100 locations across multiple states. The company has built its reputation around ethically sourced coffee, in-house roasting operations, and community-focused café environments. The Sarasota location will offer Foxtail’s signature lineup of espresso beverages, cold brews,…
Read More » -
Trader Joe’s Confirms Highly Anticipated Sarasota Store
Trader Joe’s is officially moving forward with plans for a new store in Sarasota, adding another location to its growing footprint across Florida. The popular grocery chain has confirmed a second Sarasota-area store planned for 8199 S. Tamiami Trail, in a former Staples building near the Beneva Road corridor. The announcement comes as the company continues expanding nationwide, with multiple new store openings planned across the U.S. in 2026. (MSN / sources) The new location will complement the existing Sarasota Trader Joe’s at 4101 S. Tamiami Trail, which has served the region since 2012. The addition reflects growing demand in the Sarasota market, where population growth and retail expansion have fueled continued investment in grocery and lifestyle retail. While Trader Joe’s has not announced a specific opening date, permitting activity and early site preparation suggest the project is advancing through the development pipeline. The store will need to complete final build-out approvals before construction timelines are confirmed. The Sarasota expansion is part of a broader national strategy by Trader Joe’s to open dozens of new stores in high-demand suburban markets. Florida remains one of the company’s most active growth states, with additional locations also planned in cities like Orlando and…
Read More » -
Sebastian Approves Annexation of Over 600 Acres for Major Housing Expansion
The City of Sebastian is moving forward with a large-scale annexation that could bring more than 1,500 new homes to the area as growth pressures continue across Florida’s Treasure Coast. According to city officials, the Sebastian City Council recently approved the annexation of nearly 600 acres tied to multiple planned residential developments. The projects could include a mix of large-scale residential communities and age-restricted housing developments. City leaders say annexing the land allows Sebastian to maintain control over zoning, development standards and infrastructure planning rather than leaving future projects under county oversight. Officials argue the move gives the city more authority over how the developments are designed and built as population growth continues to push outward across Indian River County. Supporters of the annexation say the city can better regulate density, utilities and construction standards through municipal oversight. Sebastian City Council member Ed Dodd stated during discussions that developments would not move forward unless utility infrastructure requirements are met. However, the proposal has generated strong opposition from residents and neighborhood groups concerned about traffic congestion, infrastructure capacity and rapid growth. Critics argue the city’s current water, sewer and roadway systems may not be prepared to support such a significant increase…
Read More » -
3 New Restaurants Planned for Growing Manatee County Shopping Center
Three new restaurants are planned for the rapidly expanding Marketplace at Heritage Harbour shopping center in Manatee County, according to developers of the project. The shopping center, located near Interstate 75 and State Road 64 East in Bradenton, has continued to attract new retail and dining tenants as growth accelerates throughout eastern Manatee County. The latest additions to the development include Fresh Kitchen, U-Yee Sushi & Grill and Pure Green Juice Bar. The restaurants were recently added to an updated leasing plan released by developer Edgewood Properties. Fresh Kitchen, a Florida-based fast-casual restaurant chain known for customizable bowls and health-focused menu options, is planned for a new five-unit building north of LongHorn Steakhouse. The company currently operates multiple locations across Florida, including one near University Town Center. U-Yee Sushi & Grill is also planned for the same building. The restaurant first opened in the Lakewood Ranch area in 2020 and serves sushi, sashimi and hibachi-style dishes. The new Heritage Harbour location would mark the company’s second restaurant in the region. Meanwhile, Pure Green Juice Bar is slated for a separate building near the future Whole Foods location planned within the shopping center. The brand specializes in smoothies, acai bowls, cold-pressed…
Read More »