Construction is nearing for Ora Hotel and Residences in Tampa, as the city’s first condo-hotel project without short-term rental restrictions begins to show clear signs of forward momentum. Led by a joint venture between Arc Development and Prosper Group, the development team has recently filed multiple applications with the FAA for tower cranes, adding to a growing list of indicators that groundbreaking is approaching.
The project, planned for a three-parcel assemblage just north of Water Street Tampa, has been in the works for several years. Earlier this year, the developers secured full control of the block fronting East Jackson Street and North Brush Street in a $22.5 million acquisition, setting the stage for construction to progress. Since then, activity behind the scenes has accelerated, with strong presales, multiple permit filings, and now crane applications all pointing toward a near-term start.
Three crane permits were submitted to the FAA. One application covers a 250-foot crawling mobile crane, expected to be used for deep foundation work. That permit outlines a work window from August 1 through July 2027, meaning foundation activity could stretch close to a full year. If the current schedule holds, demolition would likely begin ahead of that, with a summer groundbreaking target.
Two additional filings call for tower cranes rising significantly higher, at 532 feet and 508 feet. Those are slated for installation beginning March 1, 2027, and remaining in place until late 2029: a clear timeline for vertical construction. While all three applications are still under FAA review, approval is expected.
Beyond the crane permits, the development team has also submitted a range of construction-related applications in recent months. These include a foundation permit under general contractor Kast Construction, along with utility permits, and more.
According to recent filings from just a few months ago, Ora Hotel and Residences is set to deliver 658 condo-hotel units, all of which will allow short-term rentals without restriction. The project will also include 12 traditional hotel rooms, 16,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space geared toward food and beverage uses, and 550 parking spaces.
Designed by Adache Group Architects, the tower is planned to rise 40 stories, reaching a height of about 465 feet. Once complete, it is expected to become the tallest building east of Tampa’s urban core, standing out prominently along the skyline: at least until future phases of Water Street Tampa begin to fill in the surrounding area.
Although a groundbreaking was initially targeted for March of this year, that timeline has since slipped, with the developer now aiming for a summer start. Given the steady stream of positive indicators, that revised schedule appears increasingly likely.