The $500 Million Retail Surge: 7 Mega-Projects Reshaping Winter Haven, FL’s Commercial Landscape
Winter Haven, Florida, is currently experiencing an unprecedented retail and commercial construction boom, transforming key corridors and revitalizing its downtown core. As of late December 2025, the city's status as part of one of the nation’s fastest-growing metro areas is fueling a massive wave of development, with several multi-million dollar projects nearing completion or breaking ground, promising a significant expansion of shopping, dining, and medical services for the rapidly increasing population. This surge is defined by new grocery-anchored centers, a major big-box retailer, and complementary industrial investments that solidify Winter Haven’s role as a Central Florida economic hub.
The sheer scale of recent commercial activity—including 19 new commercial permits issued in 2024—signals a profound shift from residential growth to mixed-use and retail expansion, directly addressing the demand from thousands of new residents. From the massive new Target superstore to specialized downtown food halls, the landscape of retail consumption in Winter Haven is being completely redrawn for the 2025 and 2026 consumer.
The New Retail Anchors: Target and Publix-Driven Centers
The current retail construction wave is largely defined by major anchor tenants and new, large-scale shopping centers designed to serve expanding residential areas. These projects are strategically located to capture traffic along major thoroughfares like US-17 and Cypress Gardens Boulevard, dramatically increasing the city’s retail footprint.
The 149,000-Sq.-Ft. Target Superstore
One of the most anticipated retail developments is the forthcoming Target superstore. This massive project, clocking in at approximately 149,000 square feet, is a landmark investment for the city. Its strategic location at U.S. Highway 17 / 3rd Street SW & Avenue R SW places it in a high-traffic, easily accessible area, set to become a primary shopping destination for residents of Winter Haven and surrounding Polk County communities.
The Shoppes at Country Club: A Publix-Anchored Hub
Grocery-anchored retail remains a powerful growth driver. The Shoppes at Country Club, located on Dundee Road, is a prime example of this trend.
- Anchor Tenant: The center is anchored by a new Publix store, a cornerstone of Florida retail.
- Development Status: As of late 2024, the project was under construction, a testament to the continuous demand for new, modern grocery shopping facilities.
- Developer: The project is managed by The Shoppes at CC LLC, with WMG Development's CEO, Curtis Frost, involved in the planning and approval process.
Haven Square Development: The Mixed-Use Model
Moving beyond pure retail, the Haven Square Development is a significant mixed-use project at the intersection of US-17 & Cypress Gardens Blvd. This ±20-acre site is dedicating space to a crucial blend of services:
- Retail and Restaurants: Dedicated space for new retail businesses and dining options.
- Medical Health Park: A substantial 7-acre portion is dedicated to a new medical health park, reflecting the growing need for healthcare infrastructure alongside commercial expansion.
- Developer: V3 Capital Group is spearheading this large-scale development, showcasing the investment of major commercial real estate developers in the Winter Haven market.
Downtown Winter Haven’s Commercial Renaissance
The retail construction boom is not limited to the city’s outskirts. Downtown Winter Haven is undergoing a focused transformation, led by local developers like Six/Ten LLC, who own and manage substantial commercial property in the area. This revitalization is shifting the downtown district into an innovative, high-tech hub that welcomes an unprecedented number of new businesses.
Bowen Yard: The New Social and Culinary Hub
A key piece of the downtown puzzle is the Bowen Yard development. This project is transforming the intersection of 4th Street and Avenue D Southwest into a vibrant food and event space. Nearing completion, Bowen Yard is set to open in the spring, providing a new venue for dining, social gatherings, and local events, boosting the city's hospitality sector.
Hospitality and Service Sector Investment
The influx of new residents and business travelers is also driving construction in the hospitality sector. The Onicx Group, a Tampa-based developer, is set to construct a new Marriott hotel in downtown Winter Haven. This new hotel, located at 310 West Central Avenue, will provide essential accommodations and further solidify downtown’s position as a central business and leisure destination. Furthermore, the announcement of Diversity Healthcare’s grand opening in September 2025 at 435 2nd St. NE highlights the growth of essential services and specialized businesses moving into the area.
The Commercial Backbone: Industrial and Economic Drivers
While retail construction captures public attention, the underlying strength of Winter Haven’s economy is supported by massive industrial and logistics investments, which create the jobs and population density necessary to sustain the retail boom. This commercial backbone is crucial for long-term economic stability.
Sherwin-Williams Distribution Center Expansion
One of the largest non-retail construction projects is the $31 million expansion of the Sherwin-Williams Distribution Service Center.
- Scope: Miller Construction is undertaking the project, adding nearly 300,000 square feet to the facility.
- Impact: This expansion involves four new buildings and new offices, demonstrating a long-term commitment to the area and creating significant job opportunities in logistics and industrial operations.
Chick-fil-A Supply’s Mega-Investment
Further underscoring the region’s logistical importance is the development of a new Chick-fil-A Supply Distribution Center. This project represents an investment of more than $150 million at the Central Florida Integrated Logistics Center. This substantial investment, projected for completion in November 2025, highlights Winter Haven’s strategic location within Central Florida, attracting major national corporations for distribution and supply chain operations.
The Economic Outlook: Why Winter Haven is Booming
The explosive construction activity is a direct result of Winter Haven's rapid population and economic growth. The Lakeland-Winter Haven metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is consistently ranked among the nation’s fastest-growing, with significant population increases driving demand across all sectors. Retail is already one of the largest employment industries in the area, and the new construction projects are set to further solidify this status.
The city’s proactive approach, including the adoption of a five-year strategic plan, ensures that the infrastructure and services can keep pace with the development. The simultaneous growth in residential units (close to 2,000 new multi-family units in 2024) and commercial permits (19 new commercial permits in 2024) creates a self-sustaining cycle of economic vitality. The combined efforts of developers like WMG Development, V3 Capital Group, Six/Ten LLC, and Onicx Group, along with corporate giants like Target, Publix, Sherwin-Williams, and Chick-fil-A Supply, are cementing Winter Haven’s reputation as a major destination for commerce, retail, and quality of life in Central Florida.
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