With gym deal, retail space in downtown Tampa apartment complex is fully leased
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Jun 8, 2023

The street-level retail in AVE Tampa Riverwalk, a midrise apartment complex in downtown Tampa, is fully leased.

ACRE Commercial Real Estate, which marketed the retail space, said Thursday that it has signed a 10-year lease with BodyFit Training for the final 2,517-square-foot storefront in the complex. AVE is on the northern end of downtown Tampa, across the street from John F. Germany Public Library.

BodyFit, which will employ 12 people, offers 50-minute strength training classes combining personal training with group fitness. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Brooke Williams of ACRE Commercial represented the landlord, a partnership of Korman Communities and RXR Realty, in the lease transaction. Michael Coppola of Avison Young represented BFT, which expects to open by year's end.

The property has a total of 12,000 square feet of retail space. Other tenants that have leased the storefronts include Melting Pot Social, which recently opened, as well as Pacific Counter, Bare Blends, Flatbread and Butter and Rumble Boxing.

Retail leasing activity is a trailing indicator of residential growth. The food and fitness concepts leasing space at AVE Tampa Riverwalk signal that they see a solid customer base in the area, from a combination of downtown residents, office workers, tourists and University of Tampa students.

"The tenant lineup was carefully curated by ACRE Commercial, ensuring a diverse and appealing mix of businesses," the firm said in a statement. "This selection aims to meet the needs and preferences of the residents of AVE and create an attractive destination for the broader community."