Scott Dobbins, Founder and Principal, HybridgeCRE

July 2026 — In an interview with Invest:, Scott Dobbins, founder and principal of HybridgeCRE, discussed Tampa Bay’s evolving retail real estate landscape, the rise of mixed-use districts, and the firm’s niche in advising clients on merchandising, activation, and market strategy. “We are more like consultants, and I see that trend increasing over time,” Dobbins said.

What changes over the past year have impacted HybridgeCRE, and in what ways?

HybridgeCRE is the company I founded over 20 years ago. We are retail specialists in Tampa Bay, and one of the few firms in town that really focuses on the retail aspects of projects.

We are seeing an emergence of larger-format, mixed-use districts around the region. Projects like the Tropicana Field site redevelopment in downtown St. Petersburg, the multiple large scale developments happening in or near downtown Tampa including Water Street phase 2, Gasworks and Ybor City, and the work we are doing in redeveloping downtown Clearwater and the Cleveland Street District.

All of these areas are creating elevated live, work, play, dine, and shop districts. People are getting a lot of goods and services online now, so you have to provide something unique and create a gathering place that brings people together. Young people and older people alike like to aggregate, see and be seen, and connect with others. I see that as a real trend moving forward.

We are also seeing a larger trend of premium retailers looking to exit the traditional mall environments and are seeking an amenity rich, mixed-use main street type environments, especially in pedestrian-friendly areas with a good worker base. 

What distinguishes HybridgeCRE in an increasingly competitive commercial real estate market?

Our retail expertise and our ability to advise clients on merchandising strategies, activation strategies, how to market a district effectively, and what characteristics a district needs in order to thrive set us apart.

We are more like consultants, and I see that trend increasing over time. The AI revolution is upon us, and there are a lot of effective ways to incorporate AI into firms like HybridgeCRE, but the human connection is still going to be very prevalent.

The ability to leverage our business and political connections and off-market intelligence, and to provide that intelligence for the benefit of our clients is another characteristic that sets us apart.

How have higher interest rates, tighter lending conditions, and broader economic headwinds reshaped investment strategies?

The debt and equity markets and overall economic headwinds are affecting our business. Deal cycles are typically taking longer. The underwriting process is also more important now, especially making sure tenants have the proper debt and equity structures to thrive, not just survive, in this new era of retail.

It has been both a challenge and something that helps us vet the stronger players earlier in the process.

Where are you seeing the greatest opportunities across those challenges?

Since COVID, Florida has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of in-migration and the spotlight  has been turned up on the west coast of Florida. The west coast of Florida in general is growing up.

We are still perceived as on sale relative to competitive markets both inside and outside the state. We are a very pro-business state, and the west coast has a very good value proposition moving forward.

What role does commercial real estate play in attracting new investment and supporting regional economic growth?

Commercial real estate development, re-development and investment  are significant pillars to economic growth in Florida, These activities lead to significant job growth, tax roll increases, and a rise in property values. 

Generally, all boats rise. We are seeing areas that were once on the edge really start to come on through new investment.

What impact is artificial intelligence having on market analysis, property management, and investment decision-making?

We are using AI primarily as an analyst tool in various ways. In our marketing efforts, we are gleaning insight through AI to find more effective and efficient ways to market our company, properties, and tenants.We also use it for deal underwriting and for lease abstraction work. In essence, it has replaced the junior-level analyst.

The bigger philosophical question I have is that we are all convinced of the great things AI will do for us, but what will AI do to us? We talk about the potential for mass unemployment events in certain sectors. What are we going to do with all the people? We all derive a lot of our purpose and connections through work, and to a degree, that defines us as individuals.

It will be interesting to see how this changes us as humans and how we derive purpose and connection outside of work. I also think there is going to be a draw to get out of our cubicles, computers, and phones and into environments that allow us to connect with each other in different ways.

How are firms adapting to evolving tenant expectations and changing workplace dynamics?

Workplace dynamics are changing, and we see that in the Tampa Bay region as well. There is a bit of a flight out of traditional high-rise office buildings and into more amenity-rich districts.

As a recruitment tool, companies are placing themselves in environments like Midtown or Water Street or Tampa Heights, where there are all kinds of amenity options right outside the office door. We see that trend continuing.

We also see clustering of different employment niches. Innovation districts are emerging, where tech companies can aggregate and collaborate within an office or district environment. We are also seeing the emergence of medical districts, similar to innovation districts. These are niche daytime employment segments aggregating within amenity-rich office and retail districts.

What are your key goals and priorities for HybridgeCRE over the next three to five years?

Our goals are to continue on our trajectory of growth. We want to continue to find ways to accelerate that growth on both the brokerage side and the asset management side of the business.

We would like to continue increasing our asset management portfolio. We cover the whole state of Florida, specifically with retail-related and mixed-use-related assets.

We are also becoming more selective about the projects we engage with. We have carved out a niche within larger-format mixed-use projects, as we have represented several of those types of projects throughout the state.