Ferguson Signs 50,570-Square-Foot Office Lease at Kettler's Gasworx in Tampa's Ybor City

TAMPA, Fla. — Fortune 500 distributor Ferguson has signed a 50,570-square-foot office lease at the Gasworx mixed-use district in Tampa's Ybor City, developer Kettler announced Aug. 13, bringing the project's Class A office building to 100 percent occupancy before construction is complete.

Ferguson (NYSE: FERG), North America's largest value-added distributor of essential water and air solutions, plans to begin occupying the space in April 2027. The company said it intends to use the location as a corporate office and training and development hub, with an initial relocation of executive leadership roles and a range of business functions including onboarding initiatives.

Building Reaches Full Occupancy Ahead of Schedule

Ferguson's lease fills the remaining space in the six-story, 110,000-square-foot office and retail building currently under construction within the Gasworx district. The building was previously anchored by Grow Financial. Together, Ferguson and Grow Financial are expected to bring hundreds of employees to Ybor City daily.

The building is designed by S9 Architecture and Smallwood and is being constructed by Moss. Completion is scheduled for December 2026. Amenities include a rooftop deck, outdoor terraces, a lobby café and bar, and direct access to Gasworx's retail and dining marketplace.

"Today's office users expect far more than four walls and a desk," said David Bevirt, Managing Director of Corporate Leasing at Kettler. "The flight to quality continues to reshape workplace decisions, and companies are seeking environments that help attract and retain talent while supporting collaboration, culture and flexibility. This building was designed with that reality in mind, offering premier amenities, flexible workspaces and direct access to the restaurants, retail, housing and experiences that make Gasworx a true destination."

Ferguson Cites Connectivity and Mixed-Use Amenities

Ferguson generated $31.3 billion in sales in 2025 and employs approximately 35,000 associates across more than 1,700 locations throughout North America. The company joined the S&P 500 Index on Aug. 5, 2026. It serves specialized professionals across residential and non-residential construction markets, providing products spanning plumbing, HVAC, appliances, lighting, waterworks and industrial solutions.

Ferguson CEO Kevin Murphy said Tampa's accessibility was a primary driver of the decision. "We chose Tampa for its strong accessibility and connectivity to our locations across all 50 states and every province of Canada," Murphy said. "Tampa's accessibility, combined with Gasworx's variety of mixed-use amenities, aligns with how we want our associates to work, learn and connect. As we continue investing in our people and culture, the opportunity to establish a corporate location that can also serve as a training and development hub in the heart of historic Ybor City made this an ideal fit."

The company cited convenient access to Tampa International Airport, modern meeting spaces and the surrounding mixed-use environment as factors supporting collaboration, employee development and future growth.

Gasworx: A 50-Acre Live-Work-Play District in Ybor City

Gasworx encompasses 50 acres in the heart of Ybor City and is planned to ultimately deliver thousands of residences, significant office and retail space, new public gathering spaces, pedestrian-friendly streets and enhanced transit connections, including a new TECO Line Streetcar stop. The project is a joint venture among Kettler, local developer Darryl Shaw and strategic partner PPF Real Estate.

James Nozar, President of Development at Kettler, said the lease reflects broader market dynamics around talent attraction and workplace experience. "Ferguson's decision reinforces what we're seeing across the market: leading companies are choosing places that help them attract talent, strengthen culture and create a better experience for their employees," Nozar said. "Gasworx was designed to be more than a place where companies can simply lease office space. It is a neighborhood where employees can walk to lunch, collaborate with colleagues, connect with the surrounding community and experience the energy that makes Ybor City unlike anywhere else."

Robert Kettler, Founder and CEO of Kettler, said the Ferguson deal validates the firm's long-term thesis for the Tampa market. "From the beginning, we recognized Tampa as one of the country's fastest-growing markets and knew Kettler could bring decades of experience creating vibrant, mixed-use neighborhoods to this community," Robert Kettler said. "Gasworx is the realization of that vision. Seeing a Fortune 500 company like Ferguson choose the district for its new Tampa office reinforces our belief that great places attract investment, create opportunity and strengthen communities."

Market Context: Trophy Office Product Finds Traction

The Ferguson lease arrives as the national office market continues to face elevated vacancy rates, making the pre-leasing of new, amenity-rich office product a notable data point for the sector. The deal reflects a pattern in which occupiers are prioritizing high-quality, mixed-use environments over conventional office inventory — particularly locations that offer transit access, walkable retail and workplace experiences that support recruiting and retention.

For Gasworx, the 100 percent pre-leased status of the office building ahead of its December 2026 delivery reduces lease-up risk and positions the district as it continues to add residential, retail and public-space components. Additional leases are described as nearing completion, according to Kettler.

Sources

Kettler — Fortune 500 Ferguson Selects Gasworx in Ybor City for New Corporate Office in Tampa (Aug. 13, 2026)