Neighborhood Spotlight: Box Factory in Tampa, FL
There aren’t many Tampa communities where exposed ductwork, concrete floors, enormous windows, and century-old industrial bones are part of the selling point. Box Factory is one of them. Located in historic Ybor City, this condominium community occupies a former cigar-box factory dating to the 1890s that was converted into residential lofts in the early 2000s. Today, it offers a style of urban living that’s noticeably different from Tampa’s newer glass condo towers. Think soaring ceilings, original beams, brick and concrete, and floor plans that actually look like lofts rather than conventional apartments with the word “loft” attached to the listing.
Continue to read to find out the best of calling Box Factory home in Tampa, FL, and all it has in store for prospective buyers.
Box Factory Location
The Box Factory community is located at 2001 E. 2nd Avenue in Tampa’s historic Ybor City neighborhood. The location places residents just south of Ybor’s main commercial and entertainment district while staying within proximity of downtown Tampa, Channelside, and other central Tampa destinations close by. It’s also a notably walkable and bikeable location. The property currently carries a Walk Score of 71 and Bike Score of 80, giving residents more opportunities to leave the car parked than they’ll find in many suburban Tampa communities.
Box Factory Home Styles & General Real Estate Info
Box Factory is a relatively small condominium community with roughly 50 residences, generally offering one- and two-bedroom layouts. Units typically range from approximately 976 to 1,650 square feet. The architecture varies, depending on the unit; buyers may encounter polished concrete floors, exposed beams and ductwork, huge windows, open living areas, two-story ceilings, brick accents, and modern kitchens set against the building’s industrial shell. As of 2026, the average price is approximately $329,500, though inventory is limited enough that buyers shouldn’t treat that figure as a fixed neighborhood value.
HOA fees vary by unit. Recent listings have shown monthly fees around the mid-$400s, as of 2026, with services commonly including items such as building and grounds maintenance, water, trash, pest control, reserves, and pool maintenance. Buyers should verify the current amount and inclusions for the specific condo they’re considering.
“Box Factory Lofts isn’t going to appeal to somebody searching for a traditional Tampa home, and that’s exactly the point. Buyers come here because they want something with character. The ceilings, concrete, original industrial details, and Ybor location create a home that feels completely different from newer condo construction. With a community this small, though, you have to be ready when the right unit becomes available.”–Erika Phelan, BROKER ASSOCIATE, CIPS, GRI, TRC, ALHS, CSP, CNE, GREEN, NHCB, RETS, AHWD
Things to Do Near Box Factory Lofts
Living here puts some genuinely interesting Tampa attractions close to home, including a few that don’t always make the standard downtown list. The Tampa Baseball Museum at the Al Lopez House tells Tampa’s surprisingly rich baseball story from the former Ybor City home of Hall of Famer Al López. It’s also easily reached from the Centennial Park streetcar stop. Nearby, Ybor City Museum State Park occupies the historic Ferlita Bakery and explores the cigar industry and immigrant communities that shaped Ybor City. It’s particularly fitting for Box Factory residents considering their own building’s connection to Tampa’s cigar-box manufacturing history.
When you’re ready for something outdoors, Tampa’s Riverwalk isn’t far away and connects residents with waterfront parks, museums, restaurants, entertainment venues, and access to the Hillsborough River. That’s the advantage of this location. Dinner, history, entertainment, museums, and waterfront recreation don’t necessarily require turning the outing into an all-day drive across Tampa.
Why Are Buyers Choosing Box Factory Lofts?
Character is the obvious answer. New construction can reproduce an industrial look, but there’s a difference between installing decorative beams and living inside an actual 1890s factory. Box Factory gives buyers authentic architectural history while still providing conveniences such as in-unit laundry, controlled access, assigned parking in many units, and a landscaped central courtyard with a community pool. Location is the other major draw. Buyers who enjoy Ybor City can live close to its restaurants, entertainment, museums, and streetcar connections while remaining only a short distance from downtown Tampa.
Schools Serving Box Factory Lofts
Box Factory is within Hillsborough County Public Schools. Students attend Washington Elementary School, Stewart Middle Magnet School, and Blake High School among the assigned public schools. School assignments can change, and individual programs may have separate eligibility requirements. Buyers for whom school placement matters should confirm the current assignment directly with Hillsborough County Public Schools using the exact unit address before purchasing.
What Do Buyers Love Most About Box Factory?
It’s difficult to confuse these homes with anything else. Twenty-foot ceilings in some units, oversized windows, original wood beams, concrete surfaces, open layouts, and exposed building elements give the residences personality before the owner brings in a single piece of furniture. The central courtyard and pool also give the building a surprisingly private retreat from the surrounding urban environment. Instead of choosing between historic character and a community amenity, residents get a little of both. For buyers tired of touring homes that all start blending together, that individuality can be refreshing.
Ready to Call Box Factory Homes?
Box Factory won’t make sense for every Tampa buyer. If you want a large backyard, three-car garage, and quiet suburban street, keep looking. But if exposed brick, concrete floors, soaring ceilings, walkability, and the history of Ybor City sound considerably more interesting, this community deserves attention. The bigger challenge may simply be finding one for sale. With a relatively small number of residences, inventory can disappear entirely for stretches of time. When a unit does hit the market, look beyond the photographs. Compare the layout, parking, HOA costs, renovations, natural light, and how the space actually functions. In a building this distinctive, two condos with similar square footage can live very differently. If you are interested in relocating to the historic, well-established community of Box Factory in Tampa, FL, reach out to the professionals at Buyers Broker of Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions About Box Factory
Q: How much do condos cost at Box Factory?
A: Prices vary based on size, layout, condition, and market conditions. Recent 2026 sales included a 1,040-square-foot unit at $340,000 and a 976-square-foot unit at $349,000. The community’s average selling price over the year ending July 2026 was approximately $329,500, but only two transactions were recorded during that period. With such limited turnover, current comparable sales are more useful than relying on one neighborhood-wide median.
Q: How much are the HOA fees at Box Factory Lofts?
A: Recent listings have commonly shown HOA fees in the $400s per month, including examples around $441, $464, and $486. Depending on the unit and current association budget, fees may cover services such as water, trash, grounds and building maintenance, pool maintenance, pest control, management, and reserve funding. Buyers should review the latest association documents, budget, reserves, insurance responsibilities, and assessments before purchasing.
Q: Does Box Factory Lofts have a pool?
A: Yes. One of the community’s signature features is its landscaped interior courtyard and swimming pool. The courtyard gives residents a shared outdoor area inside what is otherwise a distinctly urban property. The building also offers controlled access and parking arrangements that vary by unit.
Q: Is Box Factory Lofts actually a converted factory?
A: Yes. The building dates to the late 1800s and was associated with Tampa’s cigar-box manufacturing industry before eventually being converted into residential lofts. That history explains many of the architectural features buyers see today, including brick construction, exposed structural elements, large windows, high ceilings, and open interiors. It’s one of the reasons Box Factory Lofts feels so different from a conventional Tampa condominium development.