Downtown Tampa is experiencing one of the most significant development waves in its modern history. The skyline is currently dotted with a high concentration of cranes for high-rise projects, an intensity of construction not seen since the late-2000s cycle. Among the most prominent projects reshaping the urban core are One Tampa, Pendry Residences Tampa, and a future tower planned by Stock Development. Together, the announced developments are expected to add roughly 425 condominium units and 220 hotel rooms to downtown, not including details from Stock Development’s still-unreleased project.
These three towers occupy closely aligned sites along North Ashley Drive near the Hillsborough River. Pendry Residences Tampa is rising at 111 South Ashley Drive, while One Tampa is under construction at 507 North Ashley Drive. Just north of both sites, Stock Development controls 601 North Ashley Drive, where demolition is currently underway following the company’s $40 million acquisition of the property. The site was previously owned by TLR Group, which had proposed a roughly 540 FT tower that went through several design iterations before ultimately being shelved.
As Tampa’s skyline continues to evolve, new photos highlight the rapid progress of several major projects now reshaping the downtown core.
One Tampa
According to photos taken by Floridian Development, One Tampa has reached its 24th floor, with the structure rising at a pace of roughly one new floor per week. The pace has accelerated since the project’s foundation and the large parking podium, spanning approximately 10 floors, were completed. Window installation is now underway on the lower residential floors, while exterior treatments for the podium will be installed at a later stage of construction.
One Tampa’s podium will feature a distinctive mesh screening incorporating artistic patterns designed to provide both visual interest and ventilation for the parking levels. The podium will also incorporate a reconstructed historic facade as part of an agreement with the City of Tampa. The original structure at 520 North Tampa Street was built in the 1920s and later demolished to make way for the tower. As part of the development agreement, Kolter Urban committed to reconstructing an interpretive version of the building’s facade along N Tampa St and E Twiggs St.
Work on that reconstruction is currently underway. The portion of the podium where the historic facade will appear is currently covered with a concrete backing, which will later be clad with brick detailing and window elements designed to replicate the appearance of the original building.
One Tampa is set to include 225 residential units, along with 464 parking spaces and 5,000 SF of ground-floor retail. The tower will ultimately rise 44 stories, reaching a height of about 494 FT. The project is being developed by Kolter Urban, Adache Group Architects is serving as the architect, and Moss Construction is the general contractor.
Pendry Residences Tampa
Pendry Residences Tampa has recently begun vertical construction on its first residential floors following completion of the tower’s 11-story podium and two amenity levels on floors 12 and 13. Crews are now working on the 14th and 15th floors, marking the start of the residential portion of the building.
Similar to One Tampa, construction has accelerated after an extensive foundation phase, which included some of the deepest piles installed in Florida, and the completion of a podium spanning the full length of the site. With that work finished, the tower is now rising at a pace of roughly one floor per week.
Pendry Residences Tampa is taking shape as a prominent tower along the Hillsborough River, with a footprint that will make it the widest skyscraper in the city. The waterfront hotel portion of the podium, anchored by the Pendry brand and planned to include 220 hotel rooms, is currently being enclosed in glass. Meanwhile, the garage section of the podium is slated to be finished with vertical metal louvers. This design reflects a modification by the developer: earlier plans incorporated greenery between the louvers, but the revised design removes that element in favor of a simpler black-and-white finish.
Pendry Residences Tampa will introduce 200 luxury condos, 220 hotel rooms, and approximately 5,000 SF of retail space to the heart of Tampa. The 38-story, 444-FT-tall development will also feature a podium with 656 parking spaces.
Arquitectonica is serving as the project’s architect, while Two Roads Development is the developer and Coastal Construction Group is acting as the site’s general contractor.
601 North Ashley
While full development plans have not yet been announced for 601 North Ashley Drive, Stock Development is continuing demolition work on the existing structure occupying the site. The property was previously home to the 12-story GTE Tower. The office building has origins dating back to the 1920s but was later heavily modified, including the addition of a stucco exterior that concealed much of the original brick facade. The building most recently housed a branch of GTE Financial, which has since vacated the premises.
Demolition crews are now stripping away the building’s modern exterior, leaving behind a gray structural shell where sections of the original brick occasionally emerge beneath the removed cladding. Windows are also being removed throughout the structure. Much of the facade along the west, south, and north sides has already been cleared, while the eastern elevation remains partially covered by scaffolding as work continues.
According to permitting records, demolition is being carried out by D.H. Griffin Wrecking Company and includes the removal of the existing structure, basement, and foundation. Reporting from roughly two months ago indicated that Stock Development may consider utilizing development plans previously submitted by the TLR Group under its former ownership of the site.
Those earlier plans called for a 540 FT tower containing approximately 600 residential units, along with 68,000 SF of office space and 12,000 SF of retail. The proposal also included a large parking podium featuring circular cutouts and capacity for up to 985 vehicles.