National builder breaks ground on 807-bed student housing for USF

Landmark Properties has broken ground on a new, six-story luxury student housing community for the University of South Florida. 

The Athens, Georgia-based real estate firm announced Tuesday that construction is underway on The Mark Tampa, with hopes that the new community will open ahead of the 2027-2028 academic year. 

Located in the University Square shopping plaza, at 2700 University Square Drive, the 807-bed community offers a mix of studios through five-bedroom floor plans across 215 units, a release states. The pet–friendly community provides a total 270,500 square feet of residential space and more than 25,000 square feet of amenities. These include a rooftop pool deck, clubhouse, jumbotron, sports simulator, sauna and cold plunge, computer lab and fitness center. 

“At Landmark, we’re focused on building communities that elevate the student living experience and contribute positively to the neighborhoods we serve,” Chase Powell, Senior Director of Development at Landmark Properties, says in a release. “The Mark Tampa will offer first-class amenities, modern living spaces and walkable access to campus.”

The Mark Tampa is situated at the intersection of University Square Drive and Club Drive, just 0.18 miles from the USF's campus.

Each apartment will be fully furnished and come wired for internet and cable. Units will include quartz countertops, stainless-steel appliances, in-unit laundry, hardwood-style laminate floors, large closets, blinds and, in some cases, balconies. 

The new development sits on a 4.31-acre site and will offer on-site parking for approximately 647 cars, as well as 988 square feet of ground-floor retail space, the release states. 

According to the release, Landmark Properties celebrated Tuesday’s groundbreaking by presenting a $10,000 donation to Tampa-based non-profit The Lions World Vision Institute, which aims to advance the future of sight restoration through research, innovation and education. 

The Mark Tampa is a joint venture between Landmark Properties, Dallas-based Canyon Partners Real Estate LLC and Miami-based Peninsula Investments, the release states. Landmark Properties is the general contractor for the project and Dwell Design Studios is the architect. 

The Mark Tampa will be Landmark Properties’ fourth community in the city. Other properties include The Retreat at Tampa, The Metropolitan Tampa and The Standard Tampa. Landmark has built student housing complexes throughout the state in university communities in Gainesville, Miami, Orlando, South Miami, Sweetwater and Tallahassee.