Florida Construction News staff writer
The City of Tampa and Related Urban marked a milestone in the transformation of the West River neighborhood with a topping out ceremony for Gallery at Rome Yards, the first phase of the larger Rome Yards redevelopment project.
The final structural beam was placed atop the 11-story residential tower, part of a development that will deliver 234 residential units focused on affordable and workforce housing.
“As Tampa continues to grow, we are focused on creating neighborhoods where residents of all income levels can thrive,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “Gallery at Rome Yards represents the kind of thoughtful, inclusive development our city needs, one that expands housing opportunities, supports workforce development, and reconnects communities through strategic investment in Tampa’s future.”
The project is part of the city’s plan to revitalize the West River neighborhood through the redevelopment of the former 18-acre maintenance yard known as Rome Yards. The City of Tampa partnered with Related Urban to transform the site into a mixed-use community that will eventually include approximately 954 residential units, townhomes, retail and commercial space, and community amenities designed to better connect the historic waterfront neighborhood with the rest of the city.
A unique feature of the development is the inclusion of five live/work units, designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners by combining residential living space with dedicated workspace.
The project will also include a 3,800-square-foot workforce training center that will provide job training, resume-building assistance, and workforce development services for residents. The center will be operated by West Tampa Community Development Corporation in partnership with Related Urban.
“Today’s topping out ceremony reflects the strong momentum behind the revitalization of West River and the collaborative partnerships making it possible,” said Alberto Milo, President of Related. “Gallery at Rome Yards is designed to provide high-quality housing and meaningful economic opportunity for Tampa residents while creating a vibrant mixed-income community.”
In addition to housing, the development will include 230 structured parking spaces, and sustainable design elements intended to achieve green building certification upon completion. Project leaders emphasized that all residential units, regardless of affordability designation, will be built to the same high-quality standards.
Gallery at Rome Yards is expected to be completed in July 2027.
