Following the recent unveiling of interior renderings of the Forever Home ballpark, the Tampa Bay Rays today released illustrations related to the surrounding mixed-use development, with a focus on premier office space that, according to Rays Chief Executive Officer Ken Babby, has attracted early interest from Fortune 500 companies based outside the region and within.
”We have said from the start that this project is about much more than baseball and a new ballpark,” Babby said. “The proposed privately financed district that will be made possible by a new ballpark is attracting interest and gaining significant momentum. It has sparked an appetite among Fortune 500 companies from beyond Tampa Bay who want to be part of a game-changing vision, and we’ve also had meaningful conversations with businesses based here who want to learn more and be among the first to call the district their home.
“Of course, we have more ground to cover, and we are making great progress. But, what we’ve envisioned–a vibrant, walkable neighborhood where people work, live, learn, and play–is at our doorstep. The interest from major businesses to be part of Tampa Bay history is real and growing. A new neighborhood that will be a year-round community asset, driving economic growth and opportunity for decades to come, can be ours.”
The transformative 100-plus-acre mixed-use development will encompass more than 8 million square feet of mixed-use space organized around four distinctive districts: Champions Quarter, Innovation Edge (featuring a reimagined Hillsborough College campus), The Canopy, and The Row. Together, these neighborhoods will redefine and enhance Tampa Bay as a premier sports and entertainment destination.
MIXED-USE DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS
The development includes:
The design, created by world-renowned design firms Gensler and Populous, prioritizes connectivity, walkability, and a strong relationship between the workplace, entertainment venues, and the ballpark. Additional renderings of the mixed-used district, including its master plan that incorporates a reimagined campus for Hillsborough College, will be shared in the near future.
The Rays, Hillsborough College, and local officials continue to work collaboratively with the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County toward a funding agreement. Design elements will continue to evolve based on community input, market conditions, and ongoing stakeholder engagement.
“We’re committed to getting all the details right,” Babby said. “This neighborhood will be here for generations of Tampa residents to enjoy and thrive. Every design decision, every tenant partnership, every community commitment, it all matters. We’re listening, we’re investing, and we’re building something that truly belongs to and is uniquely Tampa Bay.”
The new ballpark and its associated district are targeted for opening in 2029. Rays fans and the community can learn more about the Rays Forever Home by visiting NewBallpark.RaysBaseball.com.
