Armature Works

WEST REGION
$21 million TOTAL PROJECT
$20 million FCLF NMTC ALLOCATION
Renovation and restoration of historic streetcar maintenance facility, 84,700 square feet
Space for local food vendors in USDA Food Desert and co-working space for local small businesses
165 Temporary and 438 Permanent Jobs estimated

In the Riverfront District of Tampa Heights, the City’s oldest residential neighborhood, the Armature Works building was once the storage and maintenance facility for Tampa’s streetcars. Originally built in 1910, the 2017 update gave this abandoned, historic landmark building new purpose while creating new jobs, stimulating local small business development, and creating a retail and fresh food destination for community residents.

The Armature Works building, developed by SoHo Capital, is the new home of The Heights Market Hall and Bay 3. Bay 3 provides a business incubator offering open space, hot desks, concierge services and training for 20+ emerging small and micro businesses. The Heights houses a fresh foods indoor market hall and weekly outdoor farmers market that will increase food access to fresh produce and meats, which were formerly unavailable in this USDA Food Desert area. A demonstration kitchen on site will also provide classes in nutrition and healthy foods. Overall, the Heights Market Hall & Gathering facility will create over 900 jobs through construction (165) and expanded permanent employment opportunities generated by small businesses and retail (438). Partnerships with local nonprofits will also provide on-site job training, employment counseling and culinary expertise.

In keeping with the historical heritage of the property, original building materials are being repurposed such as using ceiling wood planks for flooring. The developers will also be seeking Certification through the Florida Green Builders Association. The Armature Works project, over 84,700 sq ft in all, is in an area targeted by the City of Tampa for redevelopment, with a goal of spurring economic investment and growth. It is expected to be a catalyst for new investment in the area, and will bridge the divide between the traditional downtown and the Tampa Heights community. On adjacent property, 300+ units of affordable workforce housing is also under construction to add to the economic development in the area.

Florida Community Loan Fund (FCLF) provided $20 million in federal NMTCs for Armature Works. Investors are U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation and USAmeriBank. This transaction was finalized in June 2017.

Community Profile:

Tampa Heights Riverfront CRA District
20.4% Poverty Rate
17% Unemployment Rate - 2.15x the national average
Brownfield, TIF District, Redevelopment Zone, HUB Zone, USDA Food Desert, Medically Underserved Area / Population

Pictured above, architectural rendering of the Armature Works project upon completion.
Below, aerial photo of construction in progress, and photos of interior / exterior of Armature Works.

To download this information as a pdf file, click here.
For more information visit Armature Works website, www.armatureworks.com.
View more photos of Armature Works here in FCLF's Flickr album.

Update:

In February 2018, Armature Works held a "soft" opening to give a sneak peek to the public. Articles on the project can be viewed here:

ArmWorks aerial Armature Works exterior Armature Works courtyard Armature Works interior, Bay 3 Armature Works The Heights food hall