TAMPA, FL - Strategic Property Partners (SPP) today announced plans for a transformational entertainment district in downtown Tampa featuring a 3,500-person live-music and performance venue, a hotel, retail, and parking offerings. The planned project, which will be privately financed, supports the broader Water Street Tampa vision and will build on the energy surrounding Benchmark International Arena to create a vibrant extension of the area that strengthens Tampa’s position as a premier destination for live music, sports, dining, and cultural experiences.
SPP plans to partner with Vinik Sports Group (VSG) to manage the entertainment venue and enhance the world-class events offered across Water Street Tampa. VSG was established in 2020 by Jeff Vinik and expanded to include Arctos in 2021 and Doug Ostrover and Marc Lipschultz in 2024.
The district is proposed for a vacant parcel across from Benchmark International Arena on Channelside Drive between Morgan Street and Jefferson Street. Its location offers convenient access to the Riverwalk, the Convention Center, the Selmon Expressway, and nearby hotels and neighborhoods, positioning it as a natural continuation of Water Street Tampa and Ford Thunder Alley, the Lightning’s outdoor entertainment plaza.
The district will include:
- A 3,500-seat music & performance venue designed for rising and mid-tier touring artists
- A 250-room hotel featuring indoor and outdoor amenities
- 100,000 square feet of high-energy retail, dining, and entertainment
- More than 1,000 parking spaces that enhance accessibility for visitors
“Water Street Tampa was designed to evolve, and this entertainment district is the next step in completing the larger vision,” said Josh Taube, CEO of Strategic Property Partners. “Water Street Tampa today is a dynamic neighborhood with waterfront, public spaces, residences, retail, hotels, and offices all connected through a walkable experience. This project activates the western edge of the neighborhood by adding an entertainment energy through live music and cultural experiences; strengthening WST as a preeminent destination.”
The new venue will fill a void in downtown by offering a right-sized performance space that Tampa does not currently have. It will provide an intimate setting that allows emerging artists to build their fanbase before advancing to larger venues such as the Yuengling Center, Benchmark International Arena, or Raymond James Stadium. With added flexibility, the venue is expected to attract more performers to downtown Tampa and give fans more opportunities to experience live music, immersive experiences, and intimate shows designed for this scale.
“Fans will see more shows, more often, and with greater variety,” said Steve Griggs, Chief Executive Officer of Vinik Sports Group. “This district will strengthen the entertainment ecosystem surrounding the arena, forging the live entertainment center of Tampa Bay. A venue of this size provides much needed flexibility for booking more artists and world-class shows to our region.”
The project will also extend the Ford Thunder Alley experience across Channelside Drive, creating an all-day destination with new hotel, dining, retail, and flex space. Given the location within Water Street Tampa and the proximity to Benchmark International Arena, the district will help establish a fully connected entertainment corridor for residents and visitors.
“This Water Street expansion moves Tampa forward as a top entertainment destination,” said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. “It strengthens tourism and creates new experiences for residents and visitors, all within steps of the Riverwalk and Convention Center.”
SPP aims to break ground on the project in 2027.
About Strategic Property Partners: Strategic Property Partners, LLC (“SPP”) is a full-service real estate developer, owner and operator focused on the creation of high-quality, experiential places through world-class execution and innovation. SPP’s projects currently include Water Street Tampa and developments in historic Charleston, South Carolina. For more information on Water Street Tampa, visit www.waterstreettampa.com
About Vinik Sports Group: Vinik Sports Group (VSG) is an entity established by Jeff Vinik to manage the three-time Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning (2004, 2020, 2021) of the National Hockey League and hold the leasehold rights to Benchmark International Arena, the 19,092-seat downtown Tampa home in which the team plays its games. The venue opened in 1996 and became Benchmark International Arena in 2025 when Benchmark International partnered with Vinik and the Lightning. Since 2010, Vinik has led a complete brand and business transformation of the Lightning and the arena. Doug Ostrover and Marc Lipschultz joined the expanded ownership group of Vinik Sports Group in 2024, alongside Arctos, which initially joined in 2021. In addition to owning the Lightning and managing Benchmark International Arena, Vinik Sports Group, through TBSE, manages the Yuengling Center on the campus at the University of South Florida.