At a glance
| Location | West Tampa, between downtown and Tampa International Airport |
|---|---|
| Business district | More than 11 million square feet of office space and about 4,000 businesses |
| Shopping | International Plaza and Bay Street, and WestShore Plaza |
| Zoning | Mostly commercial, with some residential |
| Home types | Condos and apartments in the district; houses in surrounding neighborhoods |
| West Shore Palms (Zillow, Aug 2026) | $480,634, flat over the year |
What Westshore is known for
Westshore is Tampa's principal business district outside downtown. It has more than 11 million square feet of office space, around 4,000 businesses with nearly 100,000 employees, more than 200 restaurants and bars, and 32 hotels. Westshore Boulevard is the main road, and Tampa International Airport is part of the district.
Shopping centers include International Plaza and Bay Street, and WestShore Plaza. The district is mostly zoned for commercial use, with some residential space.
The district also includes the headquarters of OSI Restaurant Partners, owner of Outback Steakhouse, and One Buccaneer Place, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers team headquarters. Rocky Point, an island neighborhood, sits next to the district and the airport.
Is Westshore a good area to live?
It suits buyers who want to live close to offices, shopping and the airport, either in a condo inside the district or a house in a nearby neighborhood. Because Westshore is mostly commercial, the trade-offs are traffic, airport noise on some streets and the chance of new development next door. Prices range widely, from $287,638 in the Tampa International Airport Area to $1,315,985 in Beach Park, so the answer depends on which of those you are actually buying.
Westshore homes and prices
Buying "in Westshore" usually means one of two things: a condo or townhome inside or at the edge of the business district, or a house in a neighborhood nearby. Zillow figures for some nearby areas (August 2026):
| Zillow neighborhood | Typical value | 1-year change |
|---|---|---|
| Beach Park | $1,315,985 | -1.9% |
| West Shore Palms | $480,634 | 0.0% |
| Tampa International Airport Area | $287,638 | -5.0% |
The gap between these areas is wide, so first decide between a condo near offices and a house on a residential street. The Beach Park guide and Town 'n' Country guide cover two nearby options.
Condos and townhomes in the district
Ask for the association budget, reserve balances, any milestone inspection and structural integrity reserve study, and approved or proposed special assessments. The Tampa condo guide explains what to read.
Houses in nearby neighborhoods
West Shore Palms, in ZIP 33609, sits roughly between I-275, Westshore Boulevard, Kennedy Boulevard and Lois Avenue, according to the City of Tampa. Beach Park lies to the south of Kennedy Boulevard.
Living near Westshore
Shopping and dining
International Plaza and Bay Street and WestShore Plaza are the two major shopping centers, and the district has more than 200 restaurants and bars.
Airport, traffic and noise
Because the airport is part of the district, flight paths and traffic affect some streets more than others. Visit at rush hour and in the evening, check the property's location against the airport's published noise contours, and ask the seller about any noise-related disclosures.
Schools
Hillsborough County Public Schools assigns schools by address, and boundaries can change. Check the exact address in the district's school zone locator rather than relying on a listing, and read the Tampa schools guide for how to compare state grades.
Getting around
Westshore Boulevard is the main road, and I-275 runs along the north side of West Shore Palms. HART runs the area's buses, at $2.00 a trip with a $4.00 daily cap.
Costs to budget for near Westshore
Property tax
City of Tampa parcels paid a total of 19.8428 mills for 2025, according to the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser, or about $1,984 a year for every $100,000 of taxable value before exemptions. The assessed value resets after a sale, so estimate taxes from your purchase price rather than the seller's bill, and file for homestead by March 1 if the home will be your permanent residence. See Hillsborough County property tax.
Flood insurance
Look up the address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and ask for an elevation certificate if the seller has one. Tampa is a Class 5 community in FEMA's Community Rating System, which gives a 25% discount on flood insurance in flood zones and 10% outside them. Get a quote before your inspection period ends. The Tampa flood zone guide explains the maps.
HOA and condo fees
Condos and townhomes carry association fees; older houses nearby may have none. Ask for the current fee and what it covers.
What to check before buying near Westshore
- Evacuation zone: Hillsborough County revised its evacuation zones for 2026, expanding Zone A farther inland along the coast. Check the current zone for the address.
- Nearby development: in a commercial district, check city zoning and permit records for planned buildings next to the property.
- City or county: some nearby neighborhoods to the north and west are unincorporated; confirm the jurisdiction on the property appraiser record.
Pros and cons of living near Westshore
Pros
- Close to major employers, two large shopping centers and the airport.
- A choice of condos in the district or houses nearby.
- Inside Tampa city limits.
Cons
- Airport noise and traffic on some streets.
- Commercial development can change the view or traffic next door.
- A wide price range, so neighborhood comparisons take work.
See the Beach Park guide, the Town 'n' Country guide and the Tampa housing market page.
Common questions
Is Westshore a good area to buy a home in Tampa?+
Westshore itself is mostly a commercial district, with offices, shopping and the airport. Homes inside it are mainly condos and apartments, while houses are in the neighborhoods around it. Compare commute, noise, flood zone and total monthly cost for the specific address rather than the district as a whole.
How big is the Westshore business district?+
Westshore has more than 11 million square feet of commercial office space, about 4,000 businesses and nearly 100,000 employees. It also has more than 200 restaurants and bars, 32 hotels, and major shopping at International Plaza and Bay Street and at WestShore Plaza.
How much are homes near Westshore?+
It depends on the neighborhood. In August 2026, Zillow's typical home value was $480,634 in West Shore Palms, $287,638 in the Tampa International Airport Area and $1,315,985 in Beach Park. Condos inside the district price by building, so compare recent sales in the same building.
Is Westshore in the City of Tampa?+
Yes. The Westshore business district is inside Tampa city limits in Hillsborough County, so City of Tampa zoning, permitting and utilities generally apply. Some nearby neighborhoods to the north and west are unincorporated, so confirm the jurisdiction on the property appraiser record for any address before you estimate taxes and fees.
What is Westshore in Tampa known for?+
Westshore is known as Tampa's main business district outside downtown, with more than 11 million square feet of office space, about 4,000 businesses, more than 200 restaurants and bars, 32 hotels, International Plaza and Bay Street, WestShore Plaza and Tampa International Airport.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Westshore (Tampa)
- City of Tampa: Flooding
- FEMA: Flood Map Service Center
- FOX 13 Tampa Bay: Hillsborough County adjusts hurricane evacuation zones (April 2026)
- Zillow Research: Zillow Home Value Index (August 2026 data)
- City of Tampa: Westshore Palms
- Hillsborough County Property Appraiser: 2025 final millage rates
- Hillsborough County Public Schools: School zone locator
- HART: Fares
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Antonio Roberts
Antonio Roberts has spent five years helping more than 500 Florida buyers and sellers choose the right real estate agent. He is not a real estate agent himself: he researches what matters in a Florida move and connects people with licensed local agents, free of charge.
Reviewed by a licensed Florida real estate agent. Before publication, this guide was checked for accuracy by a licensed Florida real estate agent on our team. It is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
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