West Tampa

West Tampa isn’t one City of Tampa neighborhood association but several, spread west of the Hillsborough River. Together they cover much of the old city of West Tampa, including many streets in the West Tampa Historic District.

Other City of Tampa neighborhood associations in West Tampa include Marina Club of Tampa, Bowman Heights, Northeast Macfarlane and Riverside Heights. Nearby: North Hyde Park, Ridgewood Park and the rest of 33607. The map and listings on this page cover West Tampa north of Interstate 275 plus the Midtown Tampa area. Confirm the neighborhood association for any address with the City of Tampa.

West Tampa homes for sale range from cigar-era streets to brand-new builds, and price per square foot varies widely by age, condition and location:

• Historic homes and bungalows. Older homes on West Tampa’s original streets, many within the West Tampa Historic District. Condition ranges from restored to original.
• Renovated older homes. Updated bungalows and cottages that keep their original character with modern systems. Ask what was updated, when, and with which permits.
• New construction. New single-family homes and townhomes on infill lots across the neighborhood. Ask for permits, the builder’s warranty and the elevation certificate.

See the townhome and condo communities in West Tampa below, and more on the 33607 page.

The City of Tampa’s West River plan is reshaping West Tampa’s riverfront:

• Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park: reopened in 2018 after a $35 million rebuild, with about 25 acres of riverfront space, a boathouse, river center, playgrounds and sports courts.
• West Riverwalk: a 1.5-mile multi-use trail under construction along the west bank of the river, connecting Plant Park and the University of Tampa to Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park and the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex on Rome Avenue.

Timelines for public projects can change. We’ll keep this section updated.

Community names are listed as they appear in the MLS. Review each association’s fees, reserves and insurance before you buy.

Dining

West Tampa’s Cuban and Latin eateries and markets line Columbus Drive, Armenia Avenue, Howard Avenue and Main Street. Start with La Teresita on West Columbus Drive, a family-run Cuban restaurant, café and bakery that began as a market in 1972 and was named to Food & Wine’s list of America’s best diners.

On the river, Rick’s on the River on North Willow Avenue is a longtime riverfront bar and grill with its own marina, live music every day and boat docking for diners who arrive by water. In neighboring North Hyde Park, Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Co. on West Cass Street serves New York-style Italian sandwiches; it was recommended in the 2026 Florida Michelin Guide and featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” On the district’s western edge, Midtown Tampa at Dale Mabry Highway and I-275 adds restaurants, shops, a Whole Foods Market and a public lake and walking trail.

Parks and things to do

• Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park: riverfront lawns, boathouse, playgrounds and sports courts on the Hillsborough River.
• MacFarlane Park: West Tampa’s historic park, with the Freedom Playground on North MacDill Avenue.
• Neighborhood parks: City of Tampa playgrounds at Rey Park on North Howard Avenue, Capaz Park on West Aileen Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park on North Oregon Avenue.
• West Tampa Library: the county’s first public library, opened in 1914 in a Carnegie-funded building on Howard Avenue and restored in 2004.
• Game days: Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is a short drive west.

Restaurants, venues and park facilities change. Check hours and status before you go.

Living in West Tampa

• Close to downtown: Downtown Tampa and the Riverwalk are just across the Hillsborough River, and the West River project is adding new bike and walking connections.
• Getting around: Interstate 275, Kennedy Boulevard, Columbus Drive and Dale Mabry Highway connect West Tampa to Westshore, South Tampa and Tampa International Airport (TIA). Travel times depend on your address and traffic.
• Schools: consult Hillsborough County Public Schools for current school information and address-specific assignments. Confirm zoning for each home rather than relying on its ZIP code.

1. 1892 Attorney Hugh Macfarlane bought 200 acres west of the Hillsborough River and founded West Tampa to attract cigar factories. By 1894 he had built a bridge linking it to Tampa’s streetcar system.
2. 1895 West Tampa incorporated as its own city on May 18. Together with Ybor City, it produced more hand-rolled cigars than anywhere else in the world in the early 1900s, earning Tampa the nickname “Cigar City.”
3. 1914 The West Tampa Free Public Library, the county’s first public library, opened on Howard Avenue in a building funded by Andrew Carnegie.
4. 1925 The City of Tampa annexed West Tampa.
5. 2004 The historic West Tampa Library was restored and expanded.
6. 2018 Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park reopened after a $35 million rebuild, an early anchor of the city’s West River plan.
7. 2021 Midtown Tampa opened at Dale Mabry Highway and I-275, adding offices, shops, restaurants, hotels and apartments to West Tampa’s historic footprint.
8. 2026 The West Riverwalk extension is under construction along the west bank of the Hillsborough River.

Sources: West Tampa (Wikipedia), Bob Buckhorn (Wikipedia), 83 Degrees: West Riverwalk expansion, Bromley Companies: Midtown Tampa.

Check whether a property lies within the West Tampa Historic District before planning exterior changes, additions or new construction, and confirm the requirements with the City of Tampa’s historic preservation office.

For older homes, budget for a thorough inspection of the roof, plumbing, electrical and foundation, and ask what was updated and whether it was permitted. For new construction, confirm the builder, permits and warranty. Review the property’s FEMA flood map, elevation certificate if available, and property-specific insurance quotes before making a decision, especially near the Hillsborough River.

Near Raymond James Stadium and the Riverwalk construction, visit at different times of day to get a feel for traffic and activity.