What's rising up in the Channel District — beyond, uh, the plethora of skyscrapers already hugging the Hillsborough River?

McKibbon Equities just announced plans for a new 13-story AC Hotels + Moxy by Marriott hotel, the Tampa Bay Business Journal first reported. The 310-room hotel will be parked just a short jaunt away from Port Tampa Bay — and easily accessible for those Margaritaville at Sea cruisers.

Construction on the hotel project is expected to start early next year with the projected opening set for 2028, according to a release. Plans also include:

A rooftop restaurant and bar
A ground floor cafe and wine bar
A bodega
A pool
12,000 sqft of retail
A 230-space parking deck
5,000 sqft of meeting and event space

Imagine rolling out of bed and heading straight to the Riverwalk. | Rendering via McKibbon.

What other hotels are going up in the TBAY area?

Local investors plan to transform a Davis Islands apartment building back into a new boutique hotel, The Mirasol.
Water Street Tampa's incoming condo-hotel tower, The Hotel Ora + Private Residences launched sales earlier this year.
The Central, a new Autograph Collection hotel, is planned for the Edge District.