Tampa Bay Local
Daily-updated notes on what's actually happening in St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay — new restaurants opening, neighborhood events, market shifts, what's changing in the communities I cover. Written and curated by Luke Salm.
Downtown St. Pete Condos: Is Now the Right Time to Buy?
Condo inventory tops 13 months of supply and values are down 10–18% from peak. Here's what the September 2026 market means for downtown St. Pete buyers.
Tampa Bay's Fall Market Window Is Opening — Here's What the Data Says
Inventory is up, homes are sitting longer, and seller concessions are back. Here's what Tampa Bay's August 2026 data means for buyers and sellers heading into fall.
Tampa Bay weekly: Rays stadium is officially a done deal
Rays get final approval for a $2.3B ballpark in Tampa, rates tick up to 6.66%, and a new luxury tower starts leasing in St. Pete.
Two Rivers Wesley Chapel: 7,500 Homes, a $27M Club, and What It Means If You're Buying in Pasco
Wesley Chapel's newest master-planned community, Two Rivers, is adding 7,500+ homes and a $27M private club — here's the real estate angle for buyers.
Isla del Sol Condos: Flood Zones, HOA Fees & Insurance in 2026
Thinking about a condo on Isla del Sol? Here's what buyers must know about FEMA flood zones, HOA costs, insurance, and the milestone law before you offer.
Rays Stadium Gets Its City Vote: What It Means for Dale Mabry Home Prices
Tampa City Council approved the $2.36B Rays stadium deal 4-3 on Aug. 27. Here's what the Dale Mabry–Drew Park corridor means for buyers and sellers nearby.
Pinellas Flood Maps Just Changed: Winners, Losers, and What Buyers Must Know
FEMA's updated Pinellas County flood maps took effect August 24. Most of the county wins — but Snell Isle, Shore Acres, and the beaches could see big rate jumps.
Westshore Is Booming — and South Tampa Home Values Are Feeling It
New apartments, falling office vacancy, and a $50M corporate hub are reshaping Westshore. Here's what it means for buyers eyeing South Tampa.
South Tampa's New Luxury Townhomes: What $1.2M Steel-Framed Homes Mean for the Market
OX Development just launched sales on a 13-unit gated townhome community on S. MacDill Ave — and it signals a real shift in South Tampa's supply picture.
I ran the numbers on assumable mortgages in Pinellas — here's why most don't work
Assuming a seller's 3% FHA or VA loan sounds like a cheat code. I ran the real Pinellas math, and the equity gap kills most of them. Here are the 3 times it actually works — plus the truth about subject-to.
North Hyde Park, Tampa: Does Rome Yards Finally Make This Neighborhood Click for Buyers?
The 954-unit Rome Yards redevelopment is reshaping North Hyde Park fast. Here's what buyers need to know about prices, walkability, and upside.
NFIP Expires September 30: What Tampa Bay Buyers and Sellers Must Do Now
The federal flood insurance program expires Sept. 30, 2026. Here's what Tampa Bay buyers, sellers, and anyone closing this fall need to do before the deadline.
Tampa Bay weekly: Sky Town pre-leasing kicks off as Rays stay hot and rates dip
Sky Town pre-leasing, Freddie Mac rate dip, Rays historic road trip, Kingfish sushi opening, St. Pete mayoral primary eve — your Aug. 17 Tampa Bay roundup.
Shore Acres Home Values After the Hurricanes: What to Know Now
Shore Acres homes sold at steep losses after Helene and Milton — but infrastructure is changing. Here's what the data means for buyers and sellers right now.
WestShore Plaza Is Coming Down — and It Could Lift South Tampa Home Values
Tampa-based Third Lake Partners bought the 57-year-old WestShore Plaza for $135M and plans to level it for a mixed-use neighborhood. Here's what it means for nearby buyers.
Florida's $250K Homestead Exemption: What Pinellas Homeowners Need to Know Before November
A $250,000 homestead exemption is headed to Florida's November ballot. Here's what St. Pete and Pinellas homeowners could save — and the deadline that matters.
Pinellas Park Just Cut Flood Insurance 25%—Here's What Every Tampa Bay Buyer Must Check
Pinellas Park just earned a FEMA CRS Class 5 rating, unlocking a 25% NFIP flood insurance discount starting Oct. 1. Here's how to look up any address before you close.
Pinellas County Is a Tale of Two Markets Right Now
Single-family homes are tightening while condos pile up unsold. Here's what the August 2026 data means if you're buying or selling in Pinellas County.
Tampa Bay weekly: mortgage rates hit a one-year high as the Bay keeps building
30-year rates at 6.69%, a 14-story tower opens in St. Pete, new food openings, Rays cruise at 70-46, and Baker Mayfield heads into camp deal-less.
Clearwater's Landings Golf Course Could Become a $180M Sports Hub
Clearwater City Council just voted to advance a $180M sports complex at The Landings Golf Club. Here's what it means for nearby North Clearwater home values.
Mortgage Rates Hit a One-Year High — What Tampa Bay Buyers Should Do Right Now
Florida 30-year rates just touched 6.75%, a one-year high per Tampa Bay Times. Here's what it actually means if you're buying or selling in Tampa Bay this fall.
Gasworx Is Filling In: What Ybor City's Building Boom Means for Buyers
The Stevedore is open, Olivette just topped out, and 5,000 units are coming. Here's what Gasworx's momentum means for Tampa home values near Ybor City.
St. Pete's Housing Market Just Tilted — Here's What Buyers See Right Now
Inventory at a 10-year high, homes sitting 59+ days, sellers cutting prices — here's what the August 2026 St. Pete market actually looks like.
Is Now a Good Time to Buy in St. Pete? The August 2026 Market, Honestly
St. Pete home values are down 3.9% year-over-year, inventory is at a 10-year high, and sellers are offering rate buydowns. Here's what the August 2026 market really means for buyers.
PSTA's 727 Express Bus Will Link St. Pete to TPA for $2.25
PSTA launches the 727 Airport Express in October, giving downtown St. Pete residents a direct, car-free shot to Tampa International for just $2.25.
Tampa Bay weekly: Army/Navy site gets 1,150 homes, Rays lead the AL East, and insurance finally bends
Tampa Bay roundup Aug 3: Tampa approves 1,150-unit downtown housing deal, Rays sit atop AL East, Busch Gardens opens Lion & Hyena Ridge, and mortgage rates hold at 6.65%.
ClearView at Echelon City Center opens in north St. Pete
A 14-story, 363-unit luxury apartment tower just opened in St. Pete's Carillon corridor — and it's only the first piece of a 2,300-unit mixed-use district.
O-Ku brings Tokyo-sourced sushi to South Tampa's Bayshore Gardens
The Southeast's beloved modern Japanese restaurant O-Ku just opened in South Tampa, landing next door to sibling spot Maru on scenic Bayshore Boulevard.
Puffins Are Coming to Tampa: Florida Aquarium's Sea Change Expansion
The Florida Aquarium's $45M Sea Change project is bringing Florida's first puffin habitat, California sea lions, and an expanded penguin colony to Channelside.
Two big St. Pete infrastructure wins that will reshape downtown property values
St. Pete just locked in the Booker Creek Trail land deal AND a November ferry launch. Here's what both mean for downtown property values in 2026.
Tampa Bay weekly: Rates hit a summer high, the Rays are buyers, and St. Pete says goodbye to Thirsty First
Tampa Bay real estate roundup for July 27, 2026: mortgage rates spike, Pasco gets $85M in new housing, Rays go all-in at the deadline, and St. Pete loses a landmark.
The Tampa Bay Ferry Is Finally Happening — Here's What to Know
PSTA bought two boats, St. Pete Council approved the dock, and service kicks off October–November. Here's what the long-awaited ferry means for locals.
Cook Out just opened its first Tampa Bay location near USF
The beloved North Carolina fast-food chain Cook Out opened its first Tampa Bay restaurant at 5501 E. Fowler Ave in Temple Terrace — and the buzz is real.
Ziki's Greek Street Food is bringing gyros to Sparkman Wharf this July
A Tampa father-and-son team is opening Ziki's Greek Street Food in Sparkman Wharf's Container Dining Garden — gyros, loukoumades, and a waterfront view.
Water Street Tampa just filed plans for a new 33-story luxury tower
Strategic Property Partners filed plans for a 400-foot, 452-unit residential tower at Water Street Tampa — groundbreaking set for spring 2027.
Rippers is coming to downtown Clearwater — and who's behind it matters
The Michelin-starred group behind Tampa's Rocca just announced its first Pinellas concept — a casual hot-dog-and-burger joint inside Clearwater's restored Telephone Building.
Tampa Bay weekly: mortgage rates hit seasonal high as Rays navigate post-All-Star skid
30-yr rates touch 6.75%, Rays stumble out of the All-Star break, Tampa's $60M Riverwalk breaks ground, and OpenTable crowns two Bay hotel restaurants.
The $8.1B Burg Bid: What It Means for St. Pete Real Estate
Mayor Welch just selected The Burg Bid for the Historic Gas Plant District. Here's what the $8.1B redevelopment means for buyers and sellers in St. Pete.
St. Pete just bought $7M of railroad tracks to build a downtown trail
St. Petersburg City Council approved a $7 million acquisition of downtown railroad tracks this week — the first step toward a brand-new recreational trail in the heart of the city.
Tampa Bay weekly: Rays lead the AL East, mortgage rates tick up, and downtown St. Pete's skyline just got a $32.5M shakeup
Tampa Bay roundup for July 7–13: Rays in first, 30-yr rates at 6.49%, Stock Development buys the old Times building, Lumbre opens in Tampa, and the MLB Draft.
The $8.1B Burg Bid: What Blake's Gas Plant Win Means for Home Values Near Downtown St. Pete
Mayor Welch picked Blake Investment Partners' $8.1B 'Burg Bid' to redevelop the Gas Plant District. Here's what 86 acres of new parks, housing, and culture means for nearby property values.
The Burg Bid Won: Here's What Happens Next at the Gas Plant
Blake Investment Partners is St. Pete's pick for the $8.1B Gas Plant District. Here's the real timeline, what's getting built first, and what it means nearby.
Christian's on the Water, St. Pete: The Bay Pines Tiki Spot
Christian's is the tiki spot at Bay Pines Marina, between War Veterans Park and the Intracoastal. Where it sits, and why waterfront here undercuts the beaches.
Tampa Bay weekly: Rays kick off stadium construction manager search as mortgage rates creep toward 6.7%
Tampa Bay real estate + community news for the week of July 6, 2026: mortgage rate spike, St. Pete market data, Rays stadium move, World Cup fever, and America 250.
St. Pete's Gas Plant District: Mayor Welch Is About to Pick a Winner
Nine proposals are in for St. Pete's 86-acre Gas Plant District, and Mayor Welch is expected to name a finalist this month. Here's what's on the table.
Tampa Bay weekly: Lightning trade up at NHL Draft, Rays' Caminero eyes All-Star history, and mortgage rates creep back toward 6.6%
Tampa Bay roundup for the week of June 23–29: Lightning draft haul, Rays' Caminero surge, stadium money fight, mortgage rates, and downtown St. Pete land deal.
Central Park St. Pete is finally open — and it's just getting started
St. Pete's most-anticipated food hall, Central Park at 551 Central Ave, is rolling out 14 concepts across five stories this summer. Here's what's open now.
Cousin Vinny's is headed to Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives — and St. Pete
Tampa's Michelin-recommended Cousin Vinny's Sandwich Co. lands a July 10 Food Network debut and is expanding to St. Pete. Here's what locals need to know.
Downtown Largo Is About to Let You Walk Around With a Drink
Largo just approved an open-container entertainment district downtown. Here's what changes, where it applies, and why it matters for Central Avenue's neighbor.
St. Pete's tallest tower, 400 Central, is officially filling up
The 46-story, 515-foot Residences at 400 Central is now welcoming residents — here's what makes this downtown St. Pete tower such a big deal.
Tampa Bay weekly: Pasco hits pause on data centers, rates drift higher, and Ybor fights back
Mortgage rates hit 6.59% post-Fed, Pasco County moves on data center moratorium, Ybor's Crowbar closes, Rays sit at 42-30 — your June 22 Tampa Bay roundup.
St. Pete Is Suddenly a Comedy Town — Three Clubs Are Opening in 2026
Side Splitters, St. Pete Comedy Club, and Sunshine Comedy Café are all landing in downtown St. Pete this year — here's what's driving the boom.
Mozzarella Mike is opening Mozza Paninoteca on MLK this summer
St. Pete native 'Mozzarella Mike' Deininger is turning his sold-out pop-ups into a permanent paninoteca on MLK Street in Crescent Heights this summer.
Whataburger Finally Hits Tampa Bay — and More Are on the Way
The Texas-born burger chain famous for its 40-plus milkshake flavors just opened its first Tampa Bay location in Largo — with Brandon and Lutz coming soon.
Related Group breaks ground on Manor Riverwalk District in Tampa
Related Group just broke ground on a 24-story, 369-unit tower at 101 S. Parker St. — the first phase of a $1 billion master plan reshaping Tampa's west riverbank.
St. Pete just voted to study breaking up with Duke Energy
St. Petersburg City Council approved a $590K study on forming its own electric utility. Here's what that means for residents and homeowners.
Tampa CRA pumps the brakes on the $2.3B Rays stadium deal
Tampa's CRA just voted to delay a key Rays stadium funding decision until August. Here's where the $2.3B deal stands — and what it means for the city.
Gallery at Rome Yards tops out — 234 affordable units rising in West Tampa
Tampa's West River neighborhood just hit a big milestone: an 11-story affordable and workforce housing tower topped out on May 29 — here's what it means for the area.
St. Pete ranks No. 19 in the nation for parks — and it's only getting better
St. Petersburg held a top-20 national park ranking in 2026 despite a five-spot slide, spending $222 per person on parks — well above the U.S. average.
St. Pete Pride 2026 kicks off with a month of events June 16–28
St. Pete Pride 2026 runs June 16–28 with a parade, festival, Dali night, and more. Here's everything locals need to know before the crowds arrive.
Red Bull Cliff Diving just made history at the St. Pete Pier
Elite divers launched off the St. Pete Pier into Tampa Bay this weekend in the first-ever Gulf Coast stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series.
Tampa Bay just landed 10 new Michelin Guide spots — here's what to know
The Michelin Guide Florida 2026 added 10 Tampa Bay restaurants to its list, including a new Green Star for Tampa and first-ever nods for Elliott Aster in St. Pete.
Green Bench Brewing crosses the bay with its first Tampa tasting room
St. Pete craft beer icon Green Bench Brewing is opening its first Tampa location this month at 200 N. Tampa St. — a big deal for local beer lovers on both sides of the bay.
Downtown Clearwater's $50M Entertainment Complex Just Broke Ground
Demolition is underway at the future EVO Entertainment site on Cleveland Street — a $50M, 83,000-sq-ft complex that could reshape the Clearwater market.
St. Pete's Downtown Marina Is Getting a $165M Overhaul
St. Petersburg is taking full control of its century-old 640-slip marina for a $165M rebuild — here's what's changing and why waterfront fans should care.
Howard Frankland's new trail and express lanes open this week
After a nearly $1B rebuild, the Howard Frankland Bridge finally opens express lanes and a 7-mile pedestrian-bike path linking Tampa and St. Pete.
Tampa just greenlit $35M to turn Ybor Harbor into a waterfront destination
Tampa's CRA approved $35M to transform a forgotten industrial strip between Ybor City and Channelside into a walkable waterfront district — here's what's coming.
St. Pete lands the American Conference Football Kickoff for the first time
The American Conference is bringing its annual Football Kickoff & Media Days to the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront on July 23–24 — a first for the Sunshine City.
St. Pete just killed parking minimums along the SunRunner corridor
St. Petersburg City Council unanimously approved eliminating parking minimums along the SunRunner corridor — here's what it means for Central Ave and your neighborhood.
The Dalí Museum's $65M expansion is about to break ground in St. Pete
St. Pete's iconic Dalí Museum is getting a massive 35,000-sq-ft addition with immersive galleries and a rooftop event hall. Here's what locals need to know.
Tampa Bay BBQ Festival fires up Vinoy Park this weekend
The annual Tampa Bay Barbecue Festival returns to Vinoy Park May 23–24 with 100+ dishes, live country music, and Florida's top pitmasters competing.