Harbour Island is an island neighborhood situated adjacent to Downtown Tampa across the Garrison Channel. Other nearby areas include Davis Islands and Channelside. The Tampa Convention Center is located directly across the Harbour Island Bridge and Channelside is just across Beneficial Drive, both walking distance.
Harbour Island was originally known as Seddon Island, which was named after W. L. Seddon, chief engineer for the Seaboard Air Line railroad. In 1906, a public hearing was held to plan a new port for the city. Seddon's plans were adopted and soon his company dredged a channel and established a port facility on Grassy Island. The 177 acre island was later purchased from the Seaboard Coast Line in 1979 for residential, office and retail development purposes. The first phase of development did not begin until 1985. Between 1985 and January 1999, Harbour Island was linked to Downtown Tampa by the Harbour Island People Mover, an automated tram shuttle system that ran on an elevated concrete trackway connecting the Harbor Island shopping center to the Franklin Street parking garage a mile and a half away.
In 1991 the development really started with Island Walk Apartments, Harbour Homes, and Island Homes. Soon the development could not be stopped. In the 1990's, Port Royal and St. Tropez on Seddon Channel, The Keys and Harbour Side townhomes on the East side channel were completed. The few pieces of land left became the Point, which are large single family homes on the south tip of Harbour Island, and the Park crest and Plaza condos. Entry level condos can be very affordable these days with prices starting in the $100K-$200K range for Island Walk, Island Place, Harbor Place City Homes, & Parkcrest. Or you can live in a luxury condo community such as the Plaza, Garrison, or Grandview. If you are looking for a more private residence, the island offers a few upscale communities such as Island Homes, Port Royal, St Tropez & the Pointe.
Today, the island consists of mostly exclusive residential areas, with high-end hotels, nightclubs and cafes at the northernmost strip. The TECO Streetcar "In-Town" trolley connects the island to Downtown and Channelside. NEVs (Neighborhood Electronic Vehicles) also connect the island to other core neighborhoods such as Hyde Park, Ybor City, SOHO & Davis Island.
Harbour Island is a private, gated, master-planned community in South Tampa. Although it’s located right next to downtown, it can feel like an island getaway. There is a healthy mix of single family homes, townhomes, and condos on Harbour Island giving a choice to a wide range of people. The Harbour Island Athletic Club is one of the premiere clubs with fabulous tennis facility and state-of-the-art gym. It is just a short walk over the bridge to the downtown activities including the St Pete Times Forum, Tampa Aquarium, History museum, and the Channelside nightlife. It is the best of both worlds. Harbour Island is in one of best school districts in the nation – the Plant School District.