Here's A Preview Of What To Expect From Sparkman Wharf

TAMPA, FL -- The wait is over.

The much-anticipated Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa, will officially open Friday at 11 a.m. and stay open until 11 p.m.

Previously known as Channelside Bay Plaza, the mixed-use retail center has had a complete makeover, including a fresh industrial look and a focus on Garrison Channel, which runs beside it.

"We really reimagined the space," said Ali Glisson, spokeswoman Strategic Property Partners. "We've opened it up to the water and we're going to provide a really dynamic park-like environment."

The centerpiece is a 1-acre outdoor space with seating for 500 overlooking the channel. It has lawn games including cornhole, shuffleboard and outdoor chess, a giant television to broadcast Tampa Bay Lightning games and a stage for local bands. Visitors can cozy up on Adirondack lawn chairs, love seats, bench swings and bistro tables and chairs.

The Fermented Reality Biergarten, operated by Joel Bigham and Daniel K. Charley, features a 3,000-square-foot covered bar with 30 taps serving craft beers as well as outdoor televisions and a cooling mister system for hot summer nights.

Tampa's top chefs have come together to offer a culinary commix of tasty offerings.

• Boat Run Oyster Company serving raw and chargilled hand-raised tide-tumbled oysters from a sustainable farm in Cedar Key.

• BT in a Box serving French Vietnamese fusion with a creative twist.

• Flock and Stock preparing high-quality American roadside favorites, such as burgers, chicken sandwiches, tenders, and fries.

• Foundation Coffee Company brewing locally brewed craft coffee.

• Gallito, a modern taqueria that puts a twist on classic Mexican street food.

• Montados by Mise En Place presenting traditional Spanish-style tapas, shareable appetizers and snacks.

• Edison’s Swigamajig combining the allure of outdoor bohemian dining with a serious seafood menu, craft cocktails, beer and wine.

• The Corners Pizza bringing Detroit-style pizza with thick and airy topped with simple ingredients.

• Whatever Pops serving ice pops, gelato, grilled cheese and acai bowls.

The existing movie theaters at Channelside Bay Plaza have been transformed into 180,000 square feet of office lofts overlooking the water -- ideal for incubator businesses.

Additionally, Sparkman Wharf offers 65,000 square feet of retail space.

Named for Stephen M. Sparkman, Tampa's first congressman who appropriated the federal funds to dredge Garrison Channel and the Port of Tampa in 1905, Sparkman Wharf is part of the ambitious $3 billion Water Street Tampa development masterminded by Tampa Bay Lightning owner and Strategic Property Partners founder Jeff Vinik.

The 3.5 million-square-foot project bounded by Channelside Drive, East Cumberland Avenue, South Meridian Avenue and South Morgan Street includes a 26-story JW Marriott hotel, a 173-room Marriott Edition hoteltwo 20-story condominium towers, three apartment buildings, three office buildings, a new medical building for the University of South Florida College of Medicine along with restaurants and shops. It's expected to be completed between summer 2020 and late 2021.

This weekend's grand opening of Sparkman Wharf will include pop-up festivities, fitness events and live music.

Performing Friday are John Holley, Silent Disco, Connor Zwetch and J.T. Brown.

On Saturday, visitors will enjoy the music of Camp Games, Have Gun Will Travel, Ari Chi and DJ Sirius.

Then, on Sunday, the public will enjoy the sounds of Wild Hearts, La Lucha and Tribal Style.

See related story:

Sparkman Wharf: More Major Development Coming To Downtown Tampa

Images via Sparkman Wharf

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