Darryl Shaw, the developer behind Gas Worx is moving forward with plans to rejuvenate downtown Tampa’s waterfront. On Thursday, a rezoning request was filed for what Shaw is envisioning for a new district named Ybor Harbor.

Shaw confirmed plans in August to buy land surrounding the Ybor Channel in August, closing on the land in phases to give time for the relocation and preservation of maritime jobs. Shaw closed on 1 acre of property late last year, with the remaining vacant land west and north of the Ybor Channel closing in the first half of 2023. The remaining land could close out over the next five years as efforts to relocate the shipyard and preserve maritime jobs are made. 

The Ybor Harbor is seeking approval for just over six million square feet of commercial development that will include hotel rooms, residential units, and office and retail space. Proposed uses are:

•       Up to 2,586 residential units.
•      Up to 140,400 square feet of office space.
•      Up to 375 hotel rooms.
•      Up to 292,600 square feet of commercial retail, spanning 20 blocks.

Renderings for the district did not include a Ray’s stadium – and the Ray’s have proposed the area to be a site for a new stadium and even have renderings for the site. Shaw told the Tampa Bay Business Journal that his team did not create the renderings and would not comment on assertions made by Tampa City Officials that he was in negotiations with the team to develop a stadium on the site.



Shaw plans to work with Port Tampa Bay to coordinate public access to piers, boat slips, and floating docks. A boardwalk lined with restaurants and entertainment concepts is also planned. Parks will be throughout the neighborhood and Shaw will improve the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway greenway that runs along the northern edge of the proposed district. Shaw is one of the largest landowners in Ybor City and is currently working on the mixed-use development Gas Worx, partnering with Kettler on the development that spans more than 50 acres between Ybor City and the Channel District.