Inside the mind of a Real Estate Developer

In Episode 113 of the TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with real estate developer Omar Garcia, a builder who has taken on some of Tampa’s most challenging projects. Garcia has turned abandoned and overlooked properties—like a foreclosed office building and a 123-year-old cigar factory—into thriving student housing developments. He talks about how to spot undervalued real estate, the risks of adaptive reuse, and the importance of preserving Tampa’s history while building for the future. They cover everything from navigating zoning laws and historic designations to handling crime, city bureaucracy, and financing unconventional projects. Garcia also shares the wildest moments of his career, including dealing with a SWAT team, a hitman, and the massive turnaround of a once-troubled apartment complex.Omar Garcia is a real estate developer and investor who has built a reputation for taking on projects others overlook. His work includes revitalizing historic buildings, adaptive reuse projects, and large-scale student housing developments. A former Navy officer and construction manager, his notable projects include 220 Madison, the Cigar Lofts, and the transformation of West River Flats. With a deep understanding of real estate, urban development, and business strategy, he shares insights on how to find value in forgotten properties, why historic preservation matters, and what’s next for Tampa’s real estate market.