Uptown Landing name unveiled as construction begins on transformative mixed-use destination at USF

By Althea Johnson, University Communications and Marketing

The University of South Florida broke ground today on Uptown Landing, a nearly $500 million mixed-use development that will create a new destination for students, community members, alumni and Bulls fans. During today's ceremony, leaders revealed a new name for the project, Uptown Landing, replacing the working title of "Fletcher District" originally used in the planning stages.

Uptown Landing marks a bold new chapter for the university, creating a vibrant neighborhood to live, work, learn and play, while also providing a hub for the Tampa Bay community and conference attendees from across the world to gather, connect and experience USF in an entirely different way.

Located within walking distance of USF's new on-campus stadium, the development will also bring people together on gamedays and for other big events throughout the year.

"Uptown Landing is much more than a new neighborhood. This will be a destination anchored by USF, but created for the entire community," USF President Moez Limayem said. "Uptown is a name this district has earned through decades of research, innovation, jobs and investment. We're not creating an identity here. We're helping write its next chapter. Landing is the word we bring. Tampa Bay began at its landings. A landing is where a journey stops and becomes a place for connection. What we're building with Uptown Landing is a front door for USF and a gateway for the Tampa Bay region. A place to arrive, to belong and to launch."

The first phase of the project, approximately 30 acres, is located north of Fletcher Avenue and east of North 46th Street. Uptown Landing will feature 700 new beds for student housing, four-six restaurants, retail spaces, a hotel and conference center, along with a major academic research building. Known as the Translational Research Institute, the facility will provide capacity for about 100 National Institutes of Health-funded investigators and approximately 1,000 additional researchers.

"At the University of South Florida, our time is now. Uptown Landing will absolutely transform our area of the city and USF is proud to anchor this transformative development," USF Board of Trustees Chair Mike Griffin said. "We are deeply grateful to our partners, and our state, city and county leaders who have supported this innovative project. We could not have gotten here without them."

The university is using a public-private partnership (P3) model for this project, the largest in the history of Florida's State University System. In total, the estimated cost for the first phase is nearly $500 million, with the P3 portion of the development at approximately $270 million and the academic research building at approximately $225 million.

"USF is one of the county's largest and most important economic engines, with a truly remarkable upward trajectory," said Ken Hagan, chair of the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners. "Hillsborough County is proud of our long-standing partnership and excited to see the continued growth through transformative projects like Uptown Landing and the on-campus stadium that are shaping the university and county's future."

Uptown Landing will be developed through a Master Development Agreement with ACE Fletcher, LLC, an entity comprising Capstone Development Partners, Aureate Development and Ellison Development.

"I cannot wait to come back as an alumna - to stay at our hotel, have dinner here, walk to a Bulls game in our new stadium and see another generation of students building their own lives in a place we helped begin today," USF senior Helena Ardigo said.

The first phase is expected to open in time for fall 2028.

What partners are saying about Uptown Landing:

Delo Baker, Aureate Development: "USF continues to be the anchor that pushes the Tampa Bay region to new heights. With the redevelopment of Uptown Landing, USF has taken an old golf course and redesigned the experience for students and the community to form a vibrant, activated venue. Uptown Landing will elevate the gameday atmosphere and serve as a 365-day-a-year amenity that has never existed in this area."

Walker May, Capstone Development Partners: "Today's groundbreaking marks an important milestone for the Uptown Landing mixed-use P3 and reflects the power of a shared vision between the University of South Florida and an exceptional team of development partners. We are grateful for USF's trust and collaboration, and we look forward to delivering a vibrant district that enhances campus life, expands housing opportunities and supports the university's long-term growth."

Casey Ellison, Ellison Development: "USF is entering an important next chapter, and as an alumnus, I'm proud of our role in helping bring it to life. The new stadium, advances in academics and athletics, and investments across campus are transforming the USF experience. As master plan developer for Uptown Landing, we've worked closely with the university to shape a district that builds on USF's momentum and reflects where it's headed. Today's groundbreaking is an exciting step in turning that vision into reality."