In the middle of a huge year for concerts in Tampa, news came out today that the city is getting a sparkling new mid-sized venue, albeit in the somewhat distant future. KETTLER announced plans for a 4,300-seat live music venue in Ybor City, operated by Live Nation and housed in the Gasworx District development.
The indoor venue is currently slated for a late 2028 opening on N 15 Street, next to the site of a future marketplace and a short walk from the 7th Avenue corridor and Centro Ybor. The team behind the new space hopes it will fill a gap in Tampa’s performing arts scene, saying it will be “designed to complement Tampa’s growing live music ecosystem while honoring the unique culture, energy and historic character of Ybor City.”
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KETTLER says the new space will combine modern venue design with a vintage-style marquee lit up with exposed lightbulbs, a brick facade, and a second-level balcony “inspired by Ybor City’s distinctive architecture.” The interior draws inspiration from historic theaters, incorporating a stage proscenium and rich, green tones to evoke a sense of nostalgia.
Projections from the development team say the new venue will generate $80 million in annual economic impact, will create 440 jobs, and will contribute $6 million in local taxes each year. KETTLER says the venue “is designed to strengthen the local economy and support continued growth.”
“Ybor City has a distinct character and a long tradition of nightlife and live music,” said James Nozar, President of Development at KETTLER. “Our goal is to create a venue that carries that legacy forward by adding a new destination for residents, visitors, and artists. It will bring a distinct atmosphere to the neighborhood and give people another reason to experience Ybor and stay longer.”
The Gasworx development – a joint project between KETTLER, Darryl Shaw and international property company PPF Real Estate – is expected to be home to roughly 5,000 new residences, more than 500,000 square feet of new office space, and 120,000 square feet of ground floor retail, including a 28,000-square-foot marketplace opening in 2027 that will feature restaurants, market-style offerings and unique retail, along with a new one-acre park as a central gathering space for residents and visitors.
