The pieces are falling into place for Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and his plans to change the face of Channelside.
On Thursday, the Tampa City Council voted unanimously to approve Vinik’s rezoning request to build a 400-room hotel near Amalie Arena. That same day, he also closed on the neighboring Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina.
"We have an exciting project that we have planned on our real estate," Vinik said. We look forward to rolling it out and making a big difference and making this a great venue and a great district for people from the Tampa Bay area and visitors."
Though Vinik has yet to reveal the specific layout for his master plan, it is expected to include restaurants, shops and hotels, all mixed in with living spaces. That walkability factor is something area realtors believe will give their businesses a major boost.
Josh Taylor, owner of Selling Tampa Bay, said it’s all about where potential home buyers and renters are coming from.
"A lot of the people are coming from the north and the Midwest," said Taylor. "They're used to having communities where they can walk to shops and restaurants."
Taylor said Even just speculating with those clients about what Vinik may do is enough to get them moving in.
"Vinik's plan is an absolute pitch for us. Especially working with investors and first time home buyers," Taylor said. "They want to be able to buy a property in a slowly appreciating market and know a few years down the road, they will be able to sell it for more than they paid for it."
Vinik and his team hope to have their master plan ready to show the public by the end of the year.