TAMPA, FLA. — The University of South Florida (USF) and its development partners have broken ground on the $500 million first phase of Uptown Landing, a new mixed-use project situated within walking distance of the planned USF on-campus football stadium.
The first phase of the project comprises 30 acres and will include 717 beds of student housing; 152 apartments reserved for graduate students and USF employees; four to six restaurant venues; 68,000 square feet of retail space; a hotel and conference center and academic research facilities.
Delivered through a master development agreement with ACE Fletcher LLC, this development marks the largest public-private partnership (PPP) in the history of the State University System of Florida. ACE Fletcher is a partnership between Capstone Development Partners, Aureate Development and Ellison Development. The project team also includes Provident Resources Group, CBI Construction, Baker Barrios Architects and Kimley-Horn.
Funding for the project includes $270 million in tax-exempt bond financing for the student housing, hospitality, restaurant and retail uses, as well as a roughly $225 million investment for the Translational Research Institute.
Capstone Management Partners will provide maintenance and operations services at the student housing building in a shared services agreement with USF.
The first phase is expected to open in fall 2028. USF expects the football stadium to deliver in 2027.
— Hayden Spiess