The long-quiet Godfrey Hotel site on Rocky Point might be in for a dramatic comeback, with a fresh redevelopment pitch that swaps the storm-battered property for three new towers mixing hotel rooms and housing. The 6.6-acre bayfront parcel has sat dark since Hurricane Helene tore through in 2024, and the new concept would put a very different silhouette on the Courtney Campbell Causeway.
Developer Unveils Three-Tower Vision
According to Tampa Bay Business Journal, the latest concept lays out three towers on the former Godfrey site, pairing hotel rooms with hundreds of residential units and amenities that would be open to the public. The publication reports that illustrative renderings, credited in captions to ELG Tampa, are meant to show a general direction rather than final architecture. Before any shovels hit the ground, the plan still needs city approvals and formal filings.
Earlier Filings Showed a Different Plan
This is not the first development idea floated for the property. As reported by Appraisal Development, which cited prior coverage, an earlier proposal from developer Equicor sought rezoning for two 14-story towers with about 215 hotel keys, roughly 489 multifamily units and a parking garage with more than 1,100 spaces. The swing from a two-tower layout to a three-tower concept highlights how the development team is still tweaking density and mix of uses while working through city rules.
Why Rocky Point Matters
Rocky Point has long been catnip for developers thanks to its waterfront views and quick access to Westshore and Tampa International Airport. The Godfrey parcel, roughly 6.6 acres, is large enough to support taller buildings and a sizable new skyline cluster. The hotel itself has remained closed since it suffered storm damage in Hurricane Helene in 2024, according to local listings. Nearby, plans to overhaul other sites, including the Rusty Pelican property, have helped put the island back on developers’ radar, according to local coverage.
What Happens Next
For now, the three-tower pitch is still just that, an early concept. It would need a formal rezoning request, detailed site-plan review and multiple public hearings before the city signs off. Applications and permits are logged in the municipal Accela system, and nearby residents will have chances to weigh in as hearings are scheduled, according to Tampa Bay Business Journal. If the project moves forward, the development team will also be expected to address storm hardening, traffic mitigation and other technical conditions that surface during the review.
Bottom Line
The three-tower idea could dramatically reshape a short stretch of the Courtney Campbell Causeway and turn a shuttered hotel into a high-profile bayfront hub. It is still months from any final approvals, and details are likely to evolve through the rezoning and public-review process. We will keep an eye on city filings and public notices for formal applications and hearing dates as the proposal advances.
