Stetson University, Bromley Companies Plan Mixed-Use Redevelopment of Tampa Law Center
A 6.62-acre property in Tampa Heights could soon be transformed into a new mixed-use district centered around higher education, marking the latest redevelopment opportunity just north of Downtown Tampa. Stetson University, in partnership with Bromley Companies, has announced plans to redevelop its Tampa Law Center property into a mixed-use destination featuring a new academic facility, residential development, hotel accommodations, retail, and dining. Bromley Companies is no stranger to Tampa, having previously led the transformative Midtown Tampa development. Located at 1710 N. Tampa Street, the site is currently occupied by the Tampa Law Center, multiple surface parking lots, and related campus facilities. Since opening in 2004, the satellite campus has served law students, alumni, legal professionals, and the broader Tampa Bay community. At the heart of the redevelopment will be a newly constructed, multi-story Stetson Law Center featuring prominent university branding and modern academic space. According to Stetson University, the facility will support continued expansion of its Flex JD program, which provides greater flexibility for students pursuing a Juris Doctor degree outside the traditional full-time model. The new campus will also accommodate advocacy programs, professional development initiatives, micro-credentialing opportunities, and other legal education offerings. Beyond the academic component, the master plan envisions a walkable mixed-use district that would introduce new residential buildings, a hotel, retail, and dining uses within close proximity to Downtown Tampa and the Tampa Riverwalk. Stetson officials say the redevelopment is intended to modernize the university’s presence in Tampa while expanding opportunities for legal education and professional development. “This project will substantially increase our visibility while allowing us to reimagine our Tampa Law Center in a way that reflects the energy and growth of the city—and the ever-changing needs of the legal profession,” said Stetson Law Dean D. Benjamin Barros. “This is an investment in the future of legal education, professional development, and sustainable economic development in the Tampa Bay region.” Many details of the development have yet to be finalized, including building heights, hotel room counts, and the project’s architect. According to the development team, construction is expected to begin in late next year and will proceed in multiple phases. Stetson also says the new law center will be delivered in a manner that avoids disrupting current academic operations throughout construction.
Plans Revived? New FAA Filing Reveals 954-Foot Tower at Brickell’s Burger King Site
The last major undeveloped corner lot at South 8th Street and South Miami Avenue, just steps from Brickell City Centre and SLS Lux, may finally be moving toward redevelopment. While many know the property simply as the Burger King site, those familiar with Miami development know it has a long and complicated history, with multiple attempts to transform the parcel into one of Brickell’s tallest towers. That vision may once again be gaining momentum after a new FAA application was filed for a 954-foot tower. For longtime followers of Miami development, the filing may feel familiar. The application was submitted by City Center Properties, LLC, an entity associated with Simon Karam of The Karam Group, and closely mirrors an FAA filing first submitted in 2023 by The Karam Group and Claro Development. That earlier application generated excitement but ultimately led to little visible progress, with the project gradually disappearing from the development pipeline. The newly filed application now raises the possibility that the long-dormant proposal is once again gaining momentum. The 954-foot height corresponds with Tower 18, a high-rise proposal originally approved by Miami’s Urban Development Review Board in 2017. Plans at the time called for a striking curvilinear glass tower containing nearly 1 million square feet of development. According to the approved plans, the tower would include 392 residential units, 66,618 square feet of ground-floor retail, and 457 parking spaces. Residents would have access to an extensive amenity package, including a rooftop swimming pool offering some of the highest residential views in Miami, outdoor gathering spaces, and other luxury amenities. The project also proposed widening the narrow sidewalks surrounding the site, creating a more pedestrian-friendly streetscape. The FAA filing, submitted on July 10th, does not authorize construction. Rather, it evaluates whether a proposed structure would interfere with navigable airspace, making it a common early step for high-rise developments before additional permitting and approvals. Only one FAA filing has been submitted so far at the site’s coordinates (25°45’58.45″N, 80°11’38.60″W) at 10 Southwest 8th Street. However, the application notes that three additional filings will eventually be submitted to represent the remaining corners of the tower’s footprint, a typical process for large buildings. Whether the renewed FAA activity ultimately leads to construction remains uncertain. Still, after years of little to no movement, the refiling represents the most tangible sign in recent years that the long-discussed Brickell highrise may start after all.