A major change is coming to the Grand Central District. The Citgo gas station and convenience store at 2801 Central Ave is set to be demolished to make way for a brand-new retail and dining hub.
According to the Tampa Bay Business Journal, local contractor Build America Luxury Homes plans to construct a two-story, 13,000-square-foot building on the site. The development could create multiple new spaces for restaurants and shops, adding even more activity to Central Avenue.
New restaurant and retail spaces coming to the Grand Central District
Plans show the first floor will feature a 3,000-square-foot restaurant alongside two retail bays, each 1,500 square feet. Upstairs, the design allows for flexible use, with room for two restaurants, a single large restaurant, or a mix of restaurants and bars.
The project is estimated to have a cost of $945,000, according to the building permit. Developer Hasanbelli told the Business Journal that they aim to break ground in the first quarter of next year, with construction expected to take seven to nine months.
Central and 28th QOZB LLC, a company registered to Hasanbelli, purchased the quarter-acre property in 2023 for $1.75 million. A demolition permit for the gas station was filed in winter 2025; however, work has not yet commenced.
Joining a bustling local business corridor
Once complete, the new building will be constructed with customization in mind, notes TBBJ, giving future tenants the ability to tailor the spaces to their needs…