Construction of New Tampa Retail Complex Nears Completion

Trout Creek Commons, a retail center at Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and Trout Creek Drive, is nearing completion and is slated to open for business at the end of this month.

Developer Maher Alagal, president of The Maher Group Properties, has construction crews putting the finishing touches on an 11-unit, 15,000-square-foot facility targeting national retailers.

Future tenants can leverage .

Colonial Grand at Hampton Preserve’s grand opening is Oct. 17, with luxury apartments helping feed Trout Creek Commons. “We’re an eco-friendly community … one-, two- and three-bedroom luxury apartment rentals,” said Nate Thompson of Colonial Grand.

More retail construction is planned north and south of Trout Creek Commons, rounding out an area Alagal feels packs enormous potential.

Location, Location, Location

Trout Creek Commons enjoys easy access to both Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and County Line Road. And the intersection between Hillsborough and Pasco Counties pulls traffic from both Tampa and Wesley Chapel.

Alagal broke ground on his two acres in March, wanting to keep pace with New Tampa’s protracted growth while banking on the area’s future upside. He acknowledges a tough economy but sees the local real estate cup half full.

“(Route) 56 is going to be the hot thing. There are so many things happening on 56,” said Alagal.

Invest in New Tampa

Alagal believes Trout Creek Commons offers a destination address for retailers wanting a presence in one of Tampa’s more stable markets. Maher Properties invested more than $3 million in the project — and the area.

“New Tampa is the best area in Tampa," he said. "It’s growing and growing.”

Trout Creek Commons features two buildings with similar dimensions. The first offers six units, each running 1,330 to 1,340 square feet. Building two houses five units, each approximately 1,420 square feet. The building contract was awarded to J.O. DeLotto and Sons, Inc. of Tampa.

Big Retail Presence

Alagal, a New Tampa resident of 11 years, is targeting national retailers to occupy what he considers prime real estate. Visibility, growth and built-in clientele coming from the Colonial Grand at Hampton Preserve apartment complex should – Alagal projects - make Trout Creek Commons an attractive location for bigger brand names.

“I’m hoping to get national tenants. I prefer national tenants, they are more secure,” said Alagal.

According to Alagal, Burger 21, a growing Tampa franchise and an affiliate of the same management company — Front Burner Brands — as The Melting Pot and GrillSmith restaurants, is considering the location to expand operations. Alagal anticipates more occupancy for Trout Creek Commons upon completion. He is now focused on finishing construction.

“We’re looking for nice tenants," Alagal said, "come on over."