Zach’s Corner
Zach's Commercial Realestate Corner. Features news, thoughts on Florida's Commercial Real Estate and more.
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BJ’s Wholesale Club Comes to Pasco County with The Marketplace at Trinity Development
Pasco County’s retail landscape is set for a major expansion as BJ’s Wholesale Club prepares to join the growing commercial corridor at The Marketplace at Trinity in Trinity, Florida. The announcement comes with submitted development plans signaling forward momentum for the long-anticipated shopping destination near SR-54 and Little Road, poised to become a new hub for retail and community services in West Pasco County. Source: https://www.welcometotrinity.com/breaking-news-the-marketplace-at-trinity-featuring-bjs-and-home-depot Address & Location The Marketplace at Trinity is planned at 8600 FL-54, Trinity, FL — a high-growth area in Pasco County just north of Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. This location offers strong visibility and access along one of the region’s busiest east-west corridors, with future traffic control enhancements planned at nearby intersections including SR-54 and Cattle Ranch Way. Project Overview The overall development is being referred to as The Marketplace at Trinity, and the first formal plans submitted to Pasco County were for: BJ’s Wholesale Club (with a fuel station), and The Home Depot (including a garden center). While earlier renderings and concepts circulated for this long-discussed site, the recent submission on February 13, 2026 marks the first time specific big-box retailers have been officially filed with the county, moving the project out of…
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The Rebirth of a Retail Corridor: Costco Anchors Seminole Towne Center Redevelopment in Sanford
Zach’s Corner | Extended Reach USA SANFORD, FL — If you look at the trajectory of Central Florida retail real estate over the past decade, few properties illustrate the full cycle of boom, decline, and strategic reinvention like Seminole Towne Center. Once a 1.14-million-square-foot regional mall serving Orlando’s northern suburbs, the property struggled under changing consumer behavior and declining occupancy before closing in 2025. What was once a dominant retail destination became emblematic of the “dead mall” narrative seen across the country. That narrative is now being rewritten. 200 Towne Center Circle, Sanford, FL 32771 – Via Google Maps A 164,585-Square-Foot Anchor Changes the Equation The Sanford City Commission has approved plans for a 164,585-square-foot Costco Wholesale to be constructed on the former Macy’s footprint — making it one of the largest Costco locations planned in Central Florida. The development will include: A full-service gas station A tire center A liquor store Surface parking and supporting site infrastructure Demolition of the former Macy’s structure is expected to begin during the early redevelopment phase, with construction projected to follow. Current timelines point toward an opening in early 2027. This is not a small infill retail play. It is a strategic anchor…
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JW Marriott Moves Forward at St. Pete Beach, Signaling Continued Confidence in Gulf-Front Hospitality
St. Pete Beach continues to attract significant investment interest, and the approved JW Marriott redevelopment at the former Sirata Beach Resort site is one of the most notable hospitality projects currently in the pipeline along Florida’s Gulf Coast. From a commercial real estate perspective, this development reflects broader market confidence in luxury coastal hospitality, long-term tourism demand, and the continued repositioning of legacy beachfront assets into higher-yield properties. Project Overview The approved redevelopment plan includes a new JW Marriott hotel with approximately 290 rooms, paired with a 130-room Hampton Inn, along with a comprehensive renovation of existing resort facilities. The project is designed to modernize the site while increasing room inventory and introducing higher-end amenities such as rooftop dining, upgraded event spaces, and improved pedestrian and beach access along Gulf Boulevard. For St. Pete Beach, the JW Marriott brand represents a meaningful step up in positioning—placing the market in closer alignment with other premium Gulf Coast destinations competing for high-spend leisure travelers, corporate retreats, and destination events. Approval Status and Development Phase The St. Pete Beach City Commission approved the project in early 2024 following extensive public review and revisions addressing building height, massing, and community impact. With entitlements now…
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Jack in the Box Is Coming to Florida, Starting With Orlando and Longwood
After decades away from the Sunshine State, Jack in the Box is officially returning to Florida. The iconic fast-food brand has confirmed plans to open its first two Florida locations in Orlando and Longwood, marking a major expansion milestone and signaling long-term ambitions across the state. Jack in the Box is Coming to 5324 S John Young Pkwy – Orlando, FL First Florida Locations: Orlando and Longwood Jack in the Box’s Florida comeback will begin in Central Florida, with two restaurants planned in Orlando and Longwood, FL. These locations represent the brand’s first presence in Florida in more than 30 years and are expected to open in early 2026. The Orlando and Longwood restaurants are strategically positioned in high-traffic corridors, allowing the brand to reintroduce itself to longtime fans while attracting new customers who may be experiencing Jack in the Box for the first time. The return is already generating buzz among residents familiar with the brand from the West Coast and Southwest. Expanding Across Florida Through Franchising The Orlando and Longwood openings are just the beginning. Jack in the Box has made it clear that Florida is a priority growth market and is actively seeking franchise partners to develop…
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New Walmart Planned at Morris Bridge Road: A Major Boost for East Wesley Chapel Retail Economy
Wesley Chapel, FL — As Wesley Chapel continues its rapid transformation from a quiet suburb into one of the Tampa Bay region’s most dynamic growth corridors, developers and retailers are responding to booming demand with major new projects. Among the most anticipated is a planned Walmart at the intersection of State Road 56 and Morris Bridge Road, a strategic addition that will bring enhanced shopping convenience and a commercial anchor to the community’s fast-growing east side. Meeting Retail Needs in a Growing Community Located adjacent to expanding residential developments — including the expansive Two Rivers community and several large master-planned neighborhoods — the new Walmart project is positioned to serve residents who have increasingly needed easier access to everyday essentials without long drives to established retail hubs. As Wesley Chapel’s population continues to grow, demand for accessible grocery, pharmacy, and general merchandise options has risen accordingly. The proposed Walmart is expected to feature the brand’s full retail format, offering grocery, household goods, and general merchandise under one roof. Beyond the store itself, the project is anticipated to anchor a larger commercial site that could include additional retail, dining, and service businesses, further solidifying the Morris Bridge Road / SR 56…
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Rocky Sniffing Out the Condo Market: A Dog’s-Eye View of 2026
Woof! Rocky here — back for my second installment of Rocky on Real Estate, sniffing out trends in housing and the world at large. If you’re wondering what a dog thinks about the national condominium market, let me tell you: there’s a whole lot more to sniff than just fire hydrants in front of tall buildings. The Lay of the Land (and the Scent of Change) Something smells different in 2026 — and it’s not just my human’s shoes. Across the country, there are more condos for sale than this time last year, and even a dog can tell when inventory is rising. Nationally, condominium inventory is up roughly 20% year-over-year, giving buyers more options and — thankfully — less frantic barking over bidding wars. More listings mean less pressure, more time to sniff around, and better negotiating power for buyers. That shift is backed up by a January 2026 front-page story from The Wall Street Journal, which bluntly declared: “Condo Owners Face Worst Market Since 2012.” According to the Journal, demand for second-home condos has cooled noticeably, and prices fell 1.9% year-over-year during September and October 2025. That kind of number definitely gets a dog’s attention. Index shown for…
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New Housing Development Momentum in Apollo Beach — Luxury Waterfront, Master-Planned Communities, and New Home Growth
Apollo Beach, Florida — one of the Tampa Bay region’s most desirable coastal communities — is experiencing a notable wave of new residential housing development. Activity spans boutique luxury waterfront estates, expanding master-planned communities, and a growing pipeline of new-construction homes. This housing momentum reflects sustained demand for quality living near Tampa Bay’s waterfront, convenient access to regional employment centers, and a steadily expanding base of local amenities. Hammock Bay Offering 47 Luxury Homes with Waterfront Access Hammock Bay: Luxury Waterfront Community Taking Shape One of the most anticipated residential projects in the area is Hammock Bay, a luxury waterfront community currently under development along the scenic Tampa Bay shoreline in Apollo Beach. Situated on approximately 16 acres of prime coastal land, Hammock Bay will feature just 47 expansive homesites, each offering private boat access and direct waterway exposure — a rare opportunity for true waterfront living in the region. Homesites at Hammock Bay are priced starting in the $600,000s, with completed home-and-lot packages reaching into the multi-million-dollar range. Planned residences range from approximately 3,500 to more than 7,500 square feet, blending custom and pre-designed floorplans. A gated entry, modern architectural styling, and premium coastal finishes position the community for…
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Walmart Signals Continued Confidence in Florida With Four New Store Openings in Early 2026
When Walmart commits capital to new ground-up locations, the move is rarely speculative. It’s data-driven, demographic-led, and almost always aligned with long-term population and spending trends. That’s why Walmart’s plan to open four new stores across Florida in early 2026, including a highly anticipated Apollo Beach location, is worth paying attention to—especially from a commercial real estate perspective. These locations are not random dots on a map. They sit squarely within growth corridors where rooftops, traffic counts, and household formation continue to accelerate. The Four Florida Locations Coming Online Apollo Beach – Hillsborough County The Apollo Beach store anchors Walmart’s early-2026 Florida rollout and reinforces what many in the industry already recognize: South Hillsborough County remains one of the most compelling growth markets in the Tampa Bay region. With continued residential development and expanding infrastructure along U.S. 41 and nearby arterials, this location is positioned to serve both established neighborhoods and new communities coming online. From a retail standpoint, Apollo Beach represents daily-needs retail at scale, with strong implications for nearby pad sites, service retail, and complementary tenants. Ocala – Marion County Walmart’s Ocala opening aligns with steady in-migration and affordability-driven growth in Central Florida. As Ocala continues to absorb…
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Tampa Ranks #2 Among Top U.S. Retail Markets in 2025 — What It Means for Florida CRE
Why Population Growth, Tight Supply, and Investor Demand Are Powering Tampa’s Retail Momentum What It Means for Florida Commercial Real Estate As 2025 comes to a close, Tampa has another milestone to add to its growing list of national accolades. The Tampa Bay metro ranked No. 2 among the top U.S. retail markets for 2025, according to CoStar Group, trailing only Charlotte. For Florida’s commercial real estate community, this ranking isn’t just a headline—it’s a data-backed confirmation of what brokers, developers, and investors have been seeing on the ground for several years: Tampa’s retail fundamentals are strong, balanced, and increasingly resilient in a shifting national market. Strong Retail Fundamentals Drive Tampa’s Ranking CoStar’s 2025 retail league table evaluated 43 U.S. markets with at least 100 million square feet of retail inventory, measuring performance across five core indicators: Percent of inventory leased Availability rate Market rent growth Sales volume change Total investment return Tampa didn’t dominate a single category outright—but it performed consistently well across all five, a key reason it earned the runner-up position nationally. Low vacancy, steady rent growth, and attractive total returns created a picture of balance rather than volatility—an increasingly valuable trait in today’s CRE landscape. Why…
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Rocky on Real Estate and World Affairs… 🐾
Hello, humans and hoomans-in-training!Rocky here — a Florida pup with a keen nose for all things real estate. Over the past three years, I’ve chased plenty of bunnies, greeted more neighbors than I can count, and — believe it or not — kept a close eye on how the Florida real estate market has changed. With the Oracle of Omaha stepping away from the airwaves, I figured there might be room for one good nose in real estate commentary. Despite my very full schedule (see above), I’ll be making time each month to share a few observations and “heads-ups” on things I think are worth considering. Looking Ahead to 2026 As we move toward 2026, it seems pretty clear to me that Florida real estate — and the South as a whole — remains a strong long-term investment and growth strategy. I recently sniffed out a few insights from TVG Strategy that do a great job reviewing the past five years while looking ahead to what’s next. One point really stood out: “Florida has transformed into one of the most closely watched commercial real estate markets in the nation.” I couldn’t agree more. Why Florida Keeps Winning (From a Dog’s…
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