Top-ranked national construction management firm Moss is acquiring Tampa-based Ellison Construction, combining two builders with deep roots in Florida to undertake transformative projects that shape cities and aim to serve communities.
The acquisition will deepen Moss’ already robust presence in the Tampa Bay region and enable it to serve clients with greater capacity, expertise and care, the company said in an announcement.
“We’re excited to welcome Ellison Construction’s talented team into Moss. Their values and commitment to quality make them a natural fit with the culture and long-term vision that guide our work,” Moss CEO Scott Moss said. “This acquisition is about building a stronger, more resilient business — one that can better serve our clients, invest in our people, and help shape the future of the Tampa Bay communities where we live and build.”
While Moss already boasts strong local relationships, resources and long-term commitment in the Tampa Bay region, adding Ellison Construction will strengthen its footprint and support Moss’ intentional growth strategy.
“This was a thoughtful decision about future growth and what best serves our people and clients,” said Cory Ellison, president of Ellison Construction, who will join Moss alongside the broader Ellison Construction team. “We found a partner that values culture, collaboration and the community as much as we do. Moss is a respected builder and industry leader, and the alignment between our teams and their long-term vision made this the right path forward.”
Ellison Development will continue operating as a separate entity, with Casey Ellison remaining as CEO.
The acquisition will allow both firms to establish a strategic construction relationship and allow Ellison leadership to focus on the growth of its newly announced ARK Ellison fund, which she leads with Cathie Wood and ARK Invest. It will also enable Ellison to focus on existing projects, including The Central in St. Pete, the Heights Redevelopment in Tampa Heights, and The Fletcher District, in partnership with the University of South Florida, in Tampa.
Sam Ellison will continue to lead Ellison Advisors, an owner’s representative firm currently representing the Tampa Museum of Art, the Tampa Theatre, and others.
The acquisition will not affect another potential Ellison project. Casey Ellison, earlier this year, partnered with Wood on a pitch to purchase available portions of the existing Tropicana Field site for redevelopment in phases, a plan Mayor Ken Welch has said he is reviewing in detail. The timeline for selecting a development team for the site has been pushed back to January.
The $6.8 billion plan from Ellison and Wood would create 863 affordable units, 618 affordable units for seniors, 444 workforce units and 1,776 market-rate units. The plan also calls for more than 1,500 hotel rooms, all while reserving nearly 45% of the site for public parks, culture and civic spaces.
