Commercial real estate development firm, which entered Tampa in 2023, reveals plans for 23-building project designed to support 2,000 jobs.

TAMPA, FL – St. John Properties, Inc. has acquired a 93-acre site located 30 miles north of Tampa, Florida with plans to develop a 23-building mixed-use business community comprised of nearly 570,000 square feet of single-story flex/R&D and retail space. This represents the first Florida acquisition by the vertically integrated commercial real estate development and management firm. The Baltimore-based company, holds a national portfolio of more than 25 million square feet valued at over $5.5 billion across 13 states.

St. John Properties plans to immediately break ground on Phase I of the business community branded Mitchell Business Park. Phase I will feature two flex/R&D buildings totaling over 86,000 square feet, in addition to two retail buildings spanning 18,000 square feet. The company is also completing site and infrastructure work for three of the five retail pad sites. Mitchell Business Park is positioned directly adjacent to FL State Road 54 in Pasco County. Upon final completion, the business community is expected to support nearly 2,000 jobs.

“This project fulfills our mission to secure strategically-located sites where our team can execute a long-term development and investment strategy, provide much-needed space for growing businesses, and add new jobs into the Tampa business community,” stated St. John Properties Regional Partner Michael Sacks. “Southwest Florida lacks sufficient modern flex/R&D space, and Mitchell Business Park provides us with the opportunity to tap into a rapidly-growing area, with a welcoming business environment, and skilled workforce.”

Development, construction, and delivery timetable for Mitchell Business Park

St. John Properties plans to deliver the first two of their signature flex/R&D buildings by the end of this year. The asset class consists of a “part office/part warehouse” single-story building separated into suites which can be fully customized based on each tenant’s requirements. The prototype is a LEED-designed building, and includes 18-foot clear heights, rear dock and drive-in loading doors, elevated landscaping, and ample parking to support office, retail, and light industrial users. The product serves a broad array of businesses including professional services companies, traditional office uses, government contractors, retailers, daycares/schools, light manufacturing and warehouse/logistics users, among others.

Two inline retail buildings are scheduled for delivery in early 2027. Suitable tenants for the one-story product include sit-down, fast-casual and quick-serve restaurants; healthcare, medical and fitness concepts; and a range of other soft goods, professional and financial services. Sales and leasing activities for the first three pad sites will also begin immediately with target users including financial institutions, childcare concepts, restaurants, and gas stations among others.

“Pasco County is focused on establishing quality real estate projects which help bring new opportunities to our citizens,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey. “Adding commercial and industrial properties helps to relieve some of the tax burden on Pasco’s residents. With more than half of our residents heading to other counties for work, high-quality developments such as Mitchell Business Park give citizens a reason to stay close to home and afford them the opportunity to have their businesses where they live.”

Dewey Mitchell explained that this transaction was initiated when St. John Properties approached him to inquire about a possible sale. “In selecting an eventual buyer, we wanted to assure that the final development was something our family and the local community could be proud of,” Mitchell said. “We were immediately impressed with the company, its commitment to sustainability and LEED-certified buildings, and its selection as a recent NAIOP national developer of the year. St. John Properties’ plan to deliver a highly-flexible business community, serving the needs of both large- and small-scale users will fill an important need locally. Equally as important, we know Mitchell Business Park will be extremely tasteful and seamlessly integrate with the local landscape.”  

Strength of Pasco County business and real estate markets

Pasco County’s strategic location and sustained growth position it as a hub for business expansion and talent attraction. Located along key transportation corridors with direct access to Interstate 75, State Road 54, and proximity to Tampa International Airport and Port Tampa Bay, the county offers connectivity to regional, national, and global markets. Pasco’s workforce has expanded by 34 percent over the past decade, reflecting a strong and deepening labor pool that supports a wide range of industries.

“Projects like Mitchell Business Park are exactly what Pasco County needs to support the next phase of our economic growth,” said Bill Cronin, President/CEO of the Pasco Economic Development Council. “The availability of high-quality, smaller-format flex and R&D space in this part of the county is critical for our existing industries and locally-based companies that are ready to expand but want to stay in Pasco. This development provides a pathway for homegrown businesses to scale, create high-wage jobs, and continue contributing to a diversified and resilient local economy.”

Pasco County has a diverse economic landscape, with activity spanning across advanced manufacturing, logistics, life sciences, aerospace, and professional services. Supported by strategic site development, workforce programs, and local incentive partnerships, the county has positioned itself as a competitive destination for companies seeking growth opportunities in the Tampa Bay region.

St. John Properties continues to pursue development opportunities in southwest Florida

Led by Michael Sacks, St. John Properties plans to continue its efforts to identify and acquire strategic sites throughout the greater Tampa area to develop ground-up Class ‘A’ commercial office, retail, warehouse/logistics and flex/R&D space. Sacks adds that St. John Properties “intends to become a long-term real estate investor and holder in the greater Tampa region and make a positive impact in the communities where we develop projects.” 

Founded in 1971, St. John Properties, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest and most successful privately held commercial real estate firms. The company is distinguished by its commitment to customer service, achievements in green building, and top-rated workplace culture. Throughout St. John Properties’ 55-year history, the company has developed more than 25 million square feet of flex/R&D, office, retail, warehouse space and has investments in over 3,000 residential units. The company proudly serves more than 2,700 clients in Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Utah, and Wisconsin. For more information about the company, visit www.sjpi.com.