A New Hotel For a New Waterfront Rapidly Developing

Tampa, FL — Channel District / Water Street

The planned dual-brand AC Hotels + Moxy by Marriott at 111 N. Meridian Ave. isn’t “news” because a permit dropped yesterday; it’s important because it fits the bigger waterfront build-out linking Water Street, Sparkman Wharf, and the newly renamed arena district—bringing more foot traffic, more nights, and more street-level energy to downtown Tampa’s edge, along with the development in the Gaslight district and near the Benchmark International Arena ( formerly Amelie Arena ).

Aerial rendering showing pool deck and massing of the AC + Moxy hotel in Tampa’s Channel District. – Rendering via McKibbon.

What’s planned (quick recap)

Program: ~13-story tower, ~310 rooms, dual flags (AC + Moxy) with rooftop bar/restaurant, 5,000 SF of meeting space, pool deck, and ~12,000 SF of active ground-floor retail + café/wine bar.
Where: 111 N. Meridian Ave., a block from Water Street’s spine and walkable to Benchmark International Arena (formerly Amalie), Sparkman Wharf, cruise berths, and the Riverwalk.
Why it matters: Multifamily has boomed in Channelside; this adds keys + F&B + meeting space to match the demand curve and keeps sidewalks busy between cruise days and event nights.

A waterfront district still growing

Water Street’s next phase adds new retail, park space, and mixed-use, tightening the grid between Channelside and the arena. A dual-flag hotel fills a hospitality gap at the Meridian/Washington edge—capturing event-goers, cruise traffic, and business travel while activating the ground floor along a corridor that’s going more pedestrian-friendly.

Why it matters now: the regional development lens

Water Street Phase 2 is live. The next phase brings more retail, a one-acre park, and a new mixed-use building, stitching the grid closer to the arena and Channelside. A dual-flag hotel adds keys, F&B, and meeting space right where the pedestrian network is still expanding.
The arena just rebranded. The Lightning’s home is now Benchmark International Arena (formerly Amalie), a fresh hook for national event nights and traveler awareness—another reason to add room supply at the edge of the district.
Channel District CRA momentum. City planning documents continue to prioritize mixed-use, walkable street life along Meridian/Washington—exactly the conditions hotels and retailers need to thrive.

ERF Development Snapshot

Project: AC Hotels + Moxy — Channel District
Address: 111 N. Meridian Ave., Tampa
Use/Scope: ~13-story dual-brand hotel (~310 keys); ~12k SF retail; rooftop F&B; meeting space
Developer: McKibbon (development arm)
Status: Advancing through entitlements; target start early next year, projected opening 2028 (per reporting).
Why it matters: Adds room supply and destination F&B exactly where Water Street’s build-out is pulling daily foot traffic—stitching Sparkman Wharf, the arena district, and Channelside into a continuous waterfront experience.