01. ZILLOW NAMES TAMPA 2022’S HOTTEST MARKET
Tampa came out on top when Zillow, the nation’s most popular real estate website, predicted the hottest housing markets for 2022. The Sun Belt markets dominated, with the second through fifth spots going to Jacksonville, Raleigh, San Antonio and Charlotte, accordingly. The other Florida city on the top 10 was Orlando at No. 9. Zillow foresees the same trends of 2021 to continue with a sellers’ market this year.
02. AUGMENTED REALITY MURAL UNVEILED IN WATER STREET TAMPA
New interactive art with a positive message is turning heads at Water Street Tampa’s East Cumberland Drive parking garage. Dutch artist Leon Keer, in partnership with CASS Contemporary, celebrates people’s differences with Equality Diversity, a 100-foot mural of stacked gemstones in a rainbow of colors. The stones appear to explode toward the viewer when scanned on a smartphone or tablet on the Leon Keer app.
03. NORTH HYDE PARK APARTMENTS IN THE WORKS
Two apartment buildings are making progress in the popular North Hyde Park area. Jade is expected to open to residents in February at 608 N. Willow Ave. with 192 units among five stories. Niche anticipates opening in spring 2023, with pre-leasing starting at 2022’s end. The new six-story building will offer 251 apartments at 1116 W. Carmen St. Some of its smallest (400-squarefoot) units come with Ori robotic furniture for convertible space.
04. ELECTRIC VEHICLE SHOWROOM COMING TO MIDTOWN TAMPA
Polestar, a Swedish electric vehicle maker partly owned by Volvo, plans to open a showroom this spring in Midtown Tampa. It will be the company’s first Florida location, run by Tampa businessman Danny O’Malley. The 2,500-square-foot space across from Sephora will showcase three fully electric vehicles: a sedan starting at $49,900, a c . coupe starting at $156,000 and an SUV expected to launch this year. Additional models are planned for 2023 and 2024.
06. TOM BRADY LAUNCHES CLOTHING BRAND
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is making his debut in the clothing industry. The football star launched Los Angeles-based Brady sportswear in January, available in select Nordstroms, including in Tampa’s International Plaza. Co-founder and CEO Jens Grede brings experience from two Kardashian clothing lines, while designer Dao-Yi Chow co-founded streetwear label Public School New York.
