Davis Islands: older homes, valuable land and the flood question

Built on the bay

Davis Islands sits at the mouth of the Hillsborough River, just south of downtown Tampa. Developer D. P. Davis created the islands in the 1920s by dredging fill from the bay, and the first homes were in the Mediterranean Revival style that still gives the islands their look. After the war, ranch homes filled in many of the remaining lots, and in recent years large new homes have replaced many older ones.

Being surrounded by water is the appeal. It is also why almost every Davis Islands sale now involves a conversation about flood elevation.

After Helene

During Hurricane Helene in September 2024, storm surge put nearly every street on Davis Islands under water, and rescue crews had to use boats. Many older homes, built close to grade decades ago, took on water. Some owners have repaired. Others are still deciding.

If your home needs major repairs, the FEMA substantial damage rule is the key issue. When repair or improvement costs equal or exceed 50% of the structure's market value, the house generally has to be brought up to current flood standards, often by elevating it or rebuilding. For many older island homes, that pushes the decision toward replacement. See our guide to the 50% rule. We are not engineers or attorneys, and the City of Tampa makes the official determination.

Historic buildings on the islands

Many of the 1920s Mediterranean Revival buildings of Davis Islands are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and a few individual buildings have City of Tampa landmark status. Davis Islands is not one of the city's four local historic districts, but if your home is one of the original 1920s houses, we check its designation first. A designated building may not be allowed to come down, and in that case a restoration buyer may be the better route. Our page on historic districts and teardowns explains how review works.

What we buy on Davis Islands

• Older single-family homes, whether repaired after the storms or not
• Gutted or partly repaired houses
• Duplexes and small multifamily buildings
• Vacant lots where the house is already gone

We do not buy condos or co-ops, which rules out much of the island's multi-unit housing.

Every lot is different. Waterfront lots bring seawall condition, docks and setbacks into play. Interior lots depend more on width, trees and elevation. We look at all of it on one walkthrough.

Respecting where you are in the process

Some island owners are dealing with insurance adjusters, contractors and a temporary home all at once. Selling should not add another deadline. We give you a written offer and let you take your time. Our offer is based mainly on what the land is worth to a builder, minus demolition and our risk, and it is below full retail. If listing would clearly net you more and you have the time, we will tell you so.

Tampa Teardown is run by 131 Cash Home Buyers, based in St. Petersburg since 2018. You pick the closing date, and you can leave behind whatever you don't want.

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General information, not legal, tax or zoning advice. Every lot is different; local rules decide what can be built. Updated November 2026.