TAMPAFLCRE.
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
FAQ · TAMPA, FLORIDA

Tampa commercial real estate FAQ

This page answers the questions people ask about commercial real estate in Tampa: what space costs to lease, what is vacant, how buying and 1031 exchanges work in outline, and what to ask about taxes. Each answer names the publisher of any figure it uses, such as Lee & Associates or Cushman & Wakefield, and the sources are listed at the bottom. The answers are general information from Makayla Richardson's team.[1]

Last updated · Published by Makayla Richardson, Commercial Real Estate Advisor

How to use this page

The questions below are grouped under five headings: buying and selling, leasing, market data, taxes and legal, and working with Makayla. Market figures are quarterly averages, not quotes on a specific building. Every answer ends with the page that covers the topic in depth.

Buying and selling

Questions on commercial property for sale, warehouses, 1031 exchanges and broker opinions of value. In depth: commercial real estate services in Tampa, Tampa property types and the market outlook.

Leasing

Questions on what office, retail and warehouse space costs to lease. In depth: office, retail and industrial space, and Hyde Park.

Market data

Questions on vacancy, Westshore, Ybor City and industrial land. In depth: the Tampa submarkets hub, Westshore, Ybor City and East Tampa.

Taxes and legal

Questions on property tax and legal review. Neither is tax or legal advice. Ask a qualified tax adviser and a Florida-licensed real estate attorney about your own deal. In depth: the market outlook and contact page.

Working with Makayla

Questions on who Makayla is and what her team does. In depth: about Makayla and services.

Did not find your question? Tell her what you are looking at in Tampa.

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Questions people ask

Is there commercial property for sale in Tampa, FL?

Lee & Associates reported Tampa Bay retail sale pricing holding at $270 per square foot with cap rates near 6.7% in Q2 2026. This site shows market data, not a live listings feed, so ask Makayla Richardson what fits your budget, property type and timeline.

Is there a warehouse for sale in Tampa, FL?

Industrial building is active in Tampa Bay. Lee & Associates reported 3,466,755 square feet of industrial space under construction in Q2 2026, plus 12-month net absorption of 2,697,386 square feet. Whether a particular warehouse is for sale depends on what is available today, so tell Makayla Richardson the size, location and use you need.

What is a 1031 exchange for Tampa property?

A 1031 exchange is a tax-deferred swap of one investment property for another, governed by federal tax rules with strict timing. Whether one fits your sale is a question for a qualified intermediary and your tax adviser. This is not tax or legal advice. Makayla Richardson can discuss the Tampa property side.

What is a BOV in commercial real estate?

A BOV is a broker opinion of value: an informed estimate of what a commercial property might sell or lease for. It is not an appraisal. Makayla Richardson is a Florida real estate sales associate with Bosshardt Realty Services, so ask her what a BOV would cover for your building before you rely on one.

Is Tampa a good place to buy commercial property?

It depends on the property type. Lee & Associates reported Tampa Bay vacancy of 4.27% for retail and 13.50% for office in Q2 2026, and 12-month industrial net absorption of 2,697,386 square feet. Those readings point different ways, so compare each type with your hold period and financing. This is general information, not investment advice.

How much does office space cost in Tampa, FL?

Lee & Associates reported average office asking rents of $35.78 per square foot in Q2 2026, covering the Downtown Tampa, South Tampa and Westshore submarkets. Cushman & Wakefield reported that Class A rates in Westshore rose 6.0% year over year to $45.58 per square foot. Asking rents are not quotes for a specific building.

How much is retail space for lease in Tampa, FL?

Lee & Associates reported Tampa Bay retail asking rents averaging $26.29 per square foot NNN in Q2 2026, with vacancy of 4.27%. Cushman & Wakefield put South Tampa retail at $33.43 per square foot and Downtown Tampa at $30.54. NNN means the tenant pays costs beyond base rent, so ask what is included.

How much is warehouse space for rent in Tampa, FL?

Lee & Associates reported an average NNN asking rate of $11.45 per square foot for Tampa Bay industrial space in Q2 2026. Cushman & Wakefield reported 6.6% vacancy in its Eastside industrial submarket and 2.7% in South Tampa. Rates vary by building, so compare against the specific space you tour.

Is there retail space for lease in Hyde Park, Tampa?

Cushman & Wakefield reports retail for its South Tampa submarket, not for Hyde Park alone. South Tampa showed 2.0% vacancy and $33.43 per square foot asking in Q2 2026. The City of Tampa says the Hyde Park Historic District was expanded to include an additional 184 buildings, effective January 5, 2023, so ask early what design review applies.

How much office space is vacant in Tampa?

Lee & Associates reported that Tampa Bay office vacancy declined 11 basis points quarter over quarter to 13.50% in Q2 2026, with 12-month net absorption of negative 29,909 square feet. Cushman & Wakefield's submarket vacancy ran from 10.0% in Hyde Park to 24.4% in Ybor City.

What is the industrial vacancy rate in Tampa?

It varies by submarket. Cushman & Wakefield reported 6.6% industrial vacancy in Eastside and 2.7% in South Tampa in Q2 2026. Lee & Associates reported Tampa Bay industrial net absorption of 205,087 square feet for the quarter, against 3,466,755 square feet under construction. Ask for the figures in the area you want.

Where is Westshore and what office space does it have?

83 Degrees Media described Westshore as bordered by Hillsborough Avenue, Kennedy Boulevard, Himes Avenue and Old Tampa Bay, with some 6,500 businesses and the largest commercial office district on the West Coast of Florida. Cushman & Wakefield reported 16.0% office vacancy in Westshore in Q2 2026.

What is commercial property in Ybor City like?

The City of Tampa calls Ybor City Tampa's National Historic Landmark District, and the National Park Service counts more than 950 historic buildings and structures from its peak industrial years. Cushman & Wakefield reported 24.4% office vacancy there in Q2 2026. Historic status can affect what you may change, so ask early.

Where are the industrial parks and industrial land in Tampa?

Port Tampa Bay says it has more than 1,000 acres of industrially zoned property featuring deepwater access. Cushman & Wakefield tracks an Eastside industrial submarket with 54,097,882 square feet of inventory and a South Tampa one with 965,055 square feet. Ask which parcels and buildings are available.

What are commercial property taxes in Tampa?

The City of Tampa's Ordinance 2025-97 states that its millage rate of 6.2076 exceeds the rolled-back rate of 5.9535 mills. That is the City's rate only and does not give a tax bill for any one property. Before you buy, ask for the parcel's full tax bill. This is not tax advice.

Do I need a real estate attorney for a commercial deal in Tampa?

This page is not legal advice. Before you sign a commercial purchase contract or lease in Tampa, ask a Florida-licensed real estate attorney to review it, and agree on their scope and fee first. Bring them the property details, the draft terms and any deadlines set in the letter of intent.

What real estate license does Makayla Richardson hold in Tampa?

Makayla Richardson is a Florida real estate sales associate, license SL3598503, with Bosshardt Realty Services, on the team Invest Florida CRE. Her team lists investment properties, retail leasing and landlord representation, alongside site selection, lease-up strategies and repositioning opportunities. You can verify her license on the Florida DBPR licensee search.

Does Makayla Richardson offer commercial property management in Tampa?

Property management is not among the services this site lists. Invest Florida CRE, the team Makayla Richardson works with, lists investment properties, retail leasing and landlord representation. Landlord representation covers leasing your building, not running it day to day, so ask who will manage it before you list.

Sources

  1. About, Invest Florida CRE, 2026. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  2. Tampa Bay Office Market Report, Q2 2026, Lee & Associates, Q2 2026. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  3. Tampa Bay Retail Market Report, Q2 2026, Lee & Associates, Q2 2026. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  4. Tampa Bay Industrial Market Report, Q2 2026, Lee & Associates, Q2 2026. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  5. Tampa Bay Office MarketBeat, Q2 2026, Cushman & Wakefield, Q2 2026. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  6. Tampa Retail MarketBeat, Q2 2026, Cushman & Wakefield, Q2 2026. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  7. Tampa Bay Industrial MarketBeat, Q2 2026, Cushman & Wakefield, Q2 2026. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  8. About the Port, Port Tampa Bay. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  9. Westshore Alliance helps guide Tampa Westshore district transformation, 83 Degrees Media. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  10. Historic Ybor, City of Tampa. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  11. Ybor City Historic District, National Park Service. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  12. Hyde Park Historic District expansion, City of Tampa Historic Preservation, Effective January 5, 2023. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  13. Ordinance No. 2025-97, City of Tampa. Accessed October 13, 2026.