Top stories of the week: YouTube-famous real estate investor sells off retail properties; SouthState Bank to sell branches in $475M deal and more
Tampa Bay Business Journal
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YouTube-famous Largo real estate investor Ben Mallah sells off retail properties
Ben Mallah, YouTube star and CEO of Largo-based Equity Partners Management said he wishes he had hedged his investments before interest rates shot up in 2022. With millions in interest payments on the books, Mallah was motivated to sell. Since June 2023, he's sold off eight commercial properties worth a combined $73 million.
Henry Queen has the story.
SouthState Bank to sell branches in $475M deal with investment firm
SouthState Bank plans to sell approximately 170 branches to a real estate investment firm to potentially offset losses if it decides to sell part of its investment bond portfolio that carries substantial unbooked losses.
On the front
Here’s this week’s cover story
This week's cover story offers insight into what business owners need to do to prepare for the year ahead.
See more in this week's digital edition.
National builder to bring 700-home 'active adult' community to Pasco County
A national builder is planning to bring one of its 55-and-up communities to Pasco County.
PulteGroup said that it is moving forward with building model homes at Del Webb River Reserve, where roughly half of the lots in the 692-unit community are under development. Pulte began closing on the land in Del Webb River Reserve in 2024.
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Ashley Gurbal Kritzer has the details.
The Cheesecake Factory to open first Pasco County location
Cheesecake Factory is bringing its encyclopedic menu and deluxe slices of cheesecake to the Tampa Premium Outlets.
The restaurant offers customers over 250 options, from appetizers and flatbread pizzas to seafood, steak, pasta and sandwiches. It has also expanded to offer a low-calorie menu named SkinnyLicious.
Details here.
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West Riverwalk expansion secures $10 million from CRA
Tampa is one step closer to a $56 million expansion of the West Riverwalk.
Tampa City Council, meeting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, on Thursday approved 5-2 to dedicate $10 million of CRA funds toward the project. Councilmembers Lynn Hurtak and Bill Carlson did not support approving the funds.
Breanne Williams has more news.
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