Tampa tiny-home community to hold grand opening of second phase

Escape Tampa Bay Village — a tiny-home community developed by Wisconsin entrepreneur Dan Dobrowolski, who has ties to Sarasota — will hold a grand opening of its new expansion, The Oaks, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 29.

The second phase will add 30 eco-friendly, free-standing residential units — which range in size from 400 to 800 square feet — to the community, located at 11008 U.S. Highway 301 in Thonotosassa, Hillsborough County.

The grand opening, according to a news release, is free and open to the public and will include tours of all available tiny homes.

Courtesy photo

"The Oaks is not just another tiny-house community," Dobrowolski states in the release. "It is a lifestyle that embraces the simplicity of living in a smaller space while still enjoying the amenities and community spirit of a traditional neighborhood."

The Oaks, the release states, includes homes that were designed in conjunction with Kelly Davis, an award-winning architect who formerly worked at SALA Architects in Minneapolis. Each unit is on a private lot with green space, landscaping, irrigation and an outdoor deck, offering privacy to residents while still being part of a community.

The original Escape Tampa Bay Village was designed in 2020 as a prototype for the post-pandemic world, offering 10 eco-efficient tiny homes in a quiet, natural setting. The units’ low cost — home purchase prices begin at $650 per month plus a $625 average monthly lot rental fee that includes water, sewer and garbage/recycling and designated parking — is well below Tampa’s median apartment rental rate, leading the community to quickly sell out.

"The Oaks is a new kind of community that combines affordability, accessibility and the simplicity of tiny home living with a deep respect for nature," Dobrowolski states in the release. "We are excited to showcase this project to the public and share our vision for sustainable living with the world."