Ecology, Infrastructure, and Urban Refuge
At the heart of downtown Tampa, Water Street Plaza marks the inaugural phase of a transformative 56-acre master plan that reimagines the city’s waterfront core as a walkable, ecologically attuned urban district. Designed by Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects in collaboration with CookFox Architects and Stantec, the plaza serves as a connective tissue between the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine, residential towers, offices, and retail spaces, embodying a vision where public space is both infrastructure and sanctuary.
Rooted in Florida’s native ecologies, the plaza bridges Wetland and Upland environments, integrating constructed systems reminiscent of the Coastal Floodplain and Hardwood Hammocks. A sinuous runnel traverses the site, evoking the karst landscape through the initial bubbling from below and the thin trail of water that appears and disappears throughout the site. This water feature delineates the eastern edge of the floodplain plantings, while the western edge’s linear form recalls Tampa Bay’s historic docks and channels.
The southern expanse of the plaza is shaded by Bald Cypress trees, emblematic of floodplain ecologies, offering respite in Tampa’s subtropical climate. These trees not only provide shade but also serve as a visual and spatial transition from the district’s street-lined oaks. Elevated areas of the plaza feature live oaks within the Hardwood Hammocks, guiding circulation and casting dappled shadows over sculpted benches, inviting pause and reflection.
Water Street Plaza exemplifies a resilient public realm that harmonizes ecological systems with urban life, offering a dynamic space for residents, workers, students, and visitors.
