Augmented Reality Brings Downtown Construction Projects to Life
Published on October 28, 2026
Ever wondered what downtown Clearwater's construction projects will look like once they're complete? Now, you can see for yourself before the buildings are finished.
The city of Clearwater has partnered with the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council to bring an interactive augmented reality experience to downtown through the inCitu platform. This free technology allows residents and visitors to use their smartphones to view 3D models of future developments right where they're being built. Best of all, there's no app to download.
The experience is available at three major downtown construction sites: The Ballad Hotel, 150 S. Osceola Ave. and the Osceola Parking Garage.
See What's Coming to Downtown Clearwater
As construction continues throughout downtown, the augmented reality platform offers a new way to visualize the changes taking place as downtown undergoes an urban renaissance, transforming into a more vibrant and connected destination.
Unlike traditional architectural renderings, augmented reality allows users to see digital models of future buildings through their phone's camera, placing them within the surrounding real-world environment. This gives residents and visitors a better sense of how each development will fit into downtown Clearwater once construction is complete.
The experience highlights three projects helping shape downtown Clearwater's future:
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The Ballad Hotel, 50 N. Osceola Ave.: A 10-story hotel featuring 158 guest rooms and ground-floor retail space near Coachman Park.
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150 S. Osceola Ave.: A 28-story mixed-use luxury apartment development featuring approximately 400 residences, retail space and parking.
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Osceola Parking Garage, 155 S. Osceola Ave.: A new downtown parking facility offering 397 parking spaces and city-owned ground-floor commercial space for lease.
These developments are part of the ongoing public and private investment bringing new residences, businesses, hospitality and parking options to downtown Clearwater.
Through its partnership with the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, the city is making it easier for the community to explore these projects, understand how downtown is changing and visualize the investments shaping its future.
How to Experience Downtown in Augmented Reality
Exploring downtown Clearwater's future is free, and no app download is required.
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Visit The Ballad Hotel, 150 S. Osceola Ave. or Osceola Parking Garage construction site.
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Look for the inCitu poster displayed on the construction fencing.
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Open your smartphone's camera app and scan the QR code on the poster.
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Follow the link to the inCitu platform to view a 3D model of the completed development using your phone's camera.
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Can't make it downtown? You can also explore the projects remotely through the inCitu interactive platform.
Next time you're downtown, look for the posters and see what's coming to Clearwater before it's built.