RD Management Announces 29,944-SF LA Fitness Under Construction at Tampa RITHM Mixed-Use Redevelopment

TAMPA, Fla. — RD Management has announced that a 29,944-square-foot LA Fitness is under construction at Tampa RITHM, the firm's mixed-use redevelopment of the former University Mall in Tampa, Florida. The fitness club is scheduled to open in 2026, according to a March 6 announcement from the firm.

LA Fitness Expands Tampa RITHM's Retail Footprint

The new LA Fitness will offer strength and cardio equipment, group fitness programming, and modern facilities, with many classes included at no additional charge, according to RD Management. The club will be supported by on-site parking within the Tampa RITHM development.

"Tampa RITHM represents the future of mixed-use redevelopment," said Richard Birdoff, Co-Chief Executive Officer of RD Management. "The addition of LA Fitness further strengthens our vision of creating a vibrant destination that serves the everyday needs of the community."

The LA Fitness space joins two other anchor tenants already operating within the Shoppes at RITHM: a 23,218-square-foot Sprouts Farmers Market, which is open, and a 50,000-square-foot Burlington, also open.

National Pad Site Tenants Round Out Retail Lineup

Beyond the inline retail anchors, Tampa RITHM has attracted a series of national restaurant and convenience brands to its pad sites. Existing pad site tenants include LongHorn Steakhouse, KFC, and Panda Express. RD Management also announced three newly added pad site tenants: Portillo's, Miller's Ale House, and RaceTrac.

Student Housing Development Advances

Tampa RITHM's residential components are being developed in partnership with Core Spaces and include two student housing projects totaling approximately 2,000 beds. Hub 1, which opened in 2022, delivered approximately 891 units alongside a 700-stall parking garage, rooftop resort-style pools, fitness facilities, study lounges, and collaborative social spaces.

Hub 2 is currently under construction as a $185 million development scheduled to open in summer 2027 for the 2027–2028 academic year. The project will deliver 1,167 beds and an 800-stall garage. RD Management noted that three additional student housing communities are also planned in the area, with the broader student housing component targeting nearly 5,000 beds across five communities.

In addition to student housing, Tampa RITHM's master plan integrates market-rate multifamily residences, hospitality, education, and innovation space as part of its comprehensive repositioning of the former single-use regional mall.

About Tampa RITHM and RD Management

Tampa RITHM is located off East Fowler Avenue in Tampa, accessible via I-275 and I-75, near the University of South Florida. RD Management is the lead developer on the project, which encompasses retail, student housing, market-rate multifamily, hospitality, education, and innovation uses. The project represents the comprehensive repositioning of the former University Mall. No financial terms related to the LA Fitness lease or the broader Tampa RITHM development were disclosed.