Winter Haven approves plan to redevelop 4 historic buildings

TAMPA, Fla. — Downtown Winter Haven is about to get a makeover.

The city recently approved plans to redevelop four historic vacant buildings in the heart of downtown.

Stepping into Art & Framing On the Park, Sean Greear describes it as an organized chaos.

He’s been in business for 15 years, helping give every piece of art a new life with a custom frame. 

“It has an opportunity to bring warmth to a home,” he says.

It’s that warmth that he hopes will also spread into the downtown area, as the city approved a $20 million plan to renovate four historic buildings in the heart of downtown.

For Greear, he sees this development as a positive for the city.

“The ones that sort of are still here, it’s just very comforting, nobody wants to see blight, everybody wants to see somebody filling these store fronts,“ he said.

The redevelopment would focus on Taylor, Mowery North and South and the Hoffman buildings. The project would include a restaurant, bar, coffee shop, reception area, wellness center and more.

City manager T. Michael Stavres says this project will help preserve the history of the area while creating a busier downtown.

“When these four buildings get renovated and activated, you know that’s one more draw in, you may come for a hair appointment at this new salon which causes you to be downtown, walk about and see what else is down here,” says Stavers.

For business owners like Carissa Hughes, it could mean a new clientele stepping into her bakery. “Definitely makes it more inviting for people outside of our area,” she said.

Her business, Gourmet Goodies Bake Shop, has been open for 10 years, not too far from where the redevelopment will take place.

Hughes says she’s seen growth happen over the years. She thinks this project will put Winter Haven on the map as a place where families can live, work and play.

“It’s definitely something that has been wanted and we’ve been waiting for, and we’re really excited to see that actually come to fruition now,” she said.

It’s so that more people can enjoy a piece of what the city has to offer.

The timeline of full restoration is tentatively broken up into two phases. The first phase will be completed in July of 2026, while the second phase will have a completion date of May of 2027.