Water Street Plaza stands as a testament to innovative urban planning in the heart of downtown Tampa. Serving as the inaugural phase of a comprehensive district-wide master plan, this public space is the result of collaborative efforts from diverse stakeholders and a multidisciplinary design team, including renowned architects CookFox and civil engineers Stantec. The plaza’s design is deeply responsive to its architectural surroundings, programmatic functions, and specific local conditions, all while thoughtfully embracing its position within the unique Florida ecosystem.
Strategically located to harmonize the public realm between the University of South Florida medical school, office buildings, residential spaces, and retail outlets, Water Street Plaza cultivates an inviting and dynamic urban environment. It artfully reveals crucial elements of its ecological context, drawing inspiration from the natural landscape of Florida.
Nestled at the convergence of Wetland and Upland ecologies, Water Street Plaza showcases constructed systems that are characteristic of the Coastal Floodplain, alongside islands of indigenous hardwood trees known as Hardwood Hammocks. A gracefully meandering runnel flows through the plaza, echoing the natural movement of water from Tampa’s upper regions towards the Channel in Tampa Bay. This runnel not only effectively manages rainwater but also sculpts a distinctive edge with integrated benches along its curves, defining the eastern boundary of the floodplain plantings. In contrast, the western edge of these plantings exhibits a rigid, linear form, reminiscent of the constructed channels and docks that characterize Tampa Bay.
Providing both visual appeal and ecological relevance, Bald Cypress trees, a hallmark of Floodplain Ecologies, offer substantial shade along the sun-drenched southern perimeter of the plaza. This creates an immersive outdoor sanctuary within Florida’s subtropical climate. The Bald Cypress trees also play a key role in announcing the plaza’s presence within the urban flow, strategically replacing the street oak trees common throughout the rest of the district. In the elevated Hardwood Hammocks section of the plaza, Live Oak trees define pedestrian pathways, acting as focal points along the route and casting cool, welcoming shadows across the extended benches.
Ultimately, Water Street Plaza delivers an ecologically diverse and engaging urban space. It caters to a wide array of users, from visitors exploring Tampa to the diverse groups who live, work, and study in the surrounding buildings, fostering a vibrant and connected downtown experience.
