What’s Being Built Near Pier Park in Panama City Beach? 2026 Development Update

Last updated: July 14, 2026

If you have driven around Pier Park, Powell Adams Road, or the Highway 79 corridor recently, you have probably noticed new construction and major changes throughout the area. New restaurants, entertainment venues, medical facilities, residential communities, and commercial projects are continuing to reshape the west end of Panama City Beach.

Some projects, including Topgolf and Pirates Voyage, are already open. Others, including the new Ruby Tuesday and the FSU Health hospital, are either newly built, under construction, or moving through longer-term development phases.

Here is a closer look at what has been confirmed, what remains planned, and what this growth may mean for Panama City Beach homeowners, buyers, vacation-rental owners, and real estate investors.

Is Ruby Tuesday Being Built Next to LongHorn Steakhouse?

Yes. The new Ruby Tuesday property is located at 15737 Panama City Beach Parkway, beside LongHorn Steakhouse and near the entrance to Pier Park.

Commercial property records identify the building as a newly constructed Ruby Tuesday restaurant. The property includes approximately 5,066 square feet on about 1.35 acres. Ruby Tuesday Operations signed a new 15-year lease for the site, with options to extend.

The location is an outparcel to Pier Park and sits near Target, Dillard’s, Dave & Buster’s, JCPenney, Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, LongHorn Steakhouse, Pier Park North, Walmart, Texas Roadhouse, Chipotle, Starbucks, and other national businesses.

View the Ruby Tuesday commercial property information

Topgolf Panama City Beach Is Now Open

Topgolf Panama City Beach opened on June 27, 2025, at 15475 Topgolf Way along Powell Adams Road, just south of Panama City Beach Parkway.

The two-level facility includes 74 outdoor climate-controlled hitting bays, a restaurant, a sports bar, event space, high-tech golf games, and year-round family entertainment. Guests do not have to be experienced golfers to use the facility.

Topgolf was the first business to open within the larger Pier Park City Center development. Because it operates throughout the year and is not dependent on beach weather, it adds another off-season attraction for residents and visitors.

Read The St. Joe Company’s Topgolf and Pier Park City Center announcement

What Is Pier Park City Center?

Pier Park City Center is an approximately 80-acre mixed-use development near Pier Park. The project broke ground in 2024, and Topgolf became its first operating business in 2025.

The developer has described the project as a location for family-oriented entertainment, restaurants, commercial uses, and other businesses that complement the existing Pier Park district.

The current Pier Park area already contains more than one million square feet of retail and dining space, along with three hotels totaling approximately 500 rooms. Pier Park City Center is intended to expand the area beyond the traditional shopping-center format.

Specific future tenants may change as leases are negotiated. Until a business or developer issues a formal announcement, individual restaurant and retail names should not be treated as confirmed.

Helpful Pier Park resources:

• Official Pier Park visitor guide
• Pier Park attractions
• Pier Park restaurants
• Pier Park stores
• Pier Park events

Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show

Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show opened in 2025 at 16061 Panama City Beach Parkway, near Pier Park.

The approximately $60 million attraction features a four-course dinner, pirate battles, acrobatics, sword fighting, high diving, special effects, live animals, and family-oriented entertainment.

Pirates Voyage gives Panama City Beach another major indoor attraction. That is important during rainy weather, cooler months, and shoulder seasons when visitors may want alternatives to the beach.

Check the Pirates Voyage Panama City Beach schedule

FSU Health Medical Campus and New Hospital

One of the largest long-term projects in the Highway 79 corridor is the FSU Health medical campus .

The 87-acre campus is near the intersection of Highway 79 and Philip Griffitts Sr. Parkway. It is being developed through a partnership involving The St. Joe Company, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Florida State University.

The first medical office building opened in 2024 and provides services that include urgent care, primary care, outpatient surgery, cardiology, pulmonary care, and other medical specialties.

Construction is also underway on a planned 100-bed inpatient hospital. Current project information lists a projected completion date in 2027. The hospital is expected to include:

• An emergency center
• Inpatient surgery
• Cardiology services
• Diagnostic imaging
• Additional inpatient and specialty healthcare services

The longer-term campus plan may eventually support additional medical offices, research, education, and expanded hospital capacity. Those future phases remain subject to final approvals, demand, financing, and construction schedules.

Additional official information:

• The St. Joe Company’s FSU Health medical campus page
• Highway 79 corridor development information
• Current TMH medical services in Panama City Beach

Continued Residential Growth Along Highway 79

Commercial construction is only one part of the Highway 79 growth story. Residential development continues north of Panama City Beach Parkway, particularly around Latitude Margaritaville Watersound, Ward Creek, and other St. Joe communities.

Ward Creek is planned as a large residential community with a mix of single-family homes and townhomes. Latitude Margaritaville Watersound also continues expanding as a major 55-and-better community.

New residents create additional demand for grocery stores, healthcare, restaurants, professional services, entertainment, and everyday retail. That helps explain why so much commercial investment is moving toward the Highway 79 corridor.

Review St. Joe residential communities and development information

How Could This Growth Affect Panama City Beach Real Estate?

More restaurants, healthcare, shopping, and entertainment can improve convenience and help make the west end attractive to primary residents, second-home buyers, retirees, and vacation-rental guests.

Properties near Pier Park often appeal to buyers because of their proximity to:

• Gulf beaches and public beach access
• Pier Park shopping and restaurants
• Frank Brown Park
• Topgolf
• Pirates Voyage
• Russell-Fields Pier
• Gulf World Marine Park
• Sports tournaments and annual events
• Highway 79 and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport

However, buyers should not assume that nearby development automatically guarantees appreciation or stronger rental income. Every property needs to be evaluated individually.

Important issues include:

• HOA fees and financial condition
• Pending or possible special assessments
• Short-term rental restrictions
• Insurance premiums and deductibles
• Flood-zone considerations
• Parking capacity
• Traffic during peak visitor periods
• Building maintenance and reserve funding
• Financing and condo warrantability
• Actual rental performance rather than projected gross revenue

Condos and Communities Near Pier Park

Buyers interested in being close to Pier Park may want to compare several nearby Gulf-front resorts and residential communities.

• Calypso Resort & Towers
• Aqua Resort
• Tidewater Beach Resort
• Sterling Breeze
• Emerald Beach Resort
• Sunrise Beach Resort
• Origin at Seahaven
• Palazzo
• Celadon Beach Resort
• Splash Resort
• Palmetto Trace
• Breakfast Point
• Latitude Margaritaville Watersound
• Ward Creek

For buyers focused on rental potential, review: Panama City Beach investment condos for sale .

Confirmed Projects Versus Local Rumors

Social media discussions frequently mix confirmed projects with rumors. It is important to separate properties supported by official announcements, construction activity, leases, or public development information from businesses that people simply hope will come to Panama City Beach.

Confirmed or operating

• Ruby Tuesday beside LongHorn Steakhouse
• Topgolf Panama City Beach
• Pier Park City Center
• Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show
• FSU Health medical office building
• FSU Health 100-bed hospital project
• Continued residential development along Highway 79

Not officially confirmed at this time

• Costco
• Trader Joe’s
• Cheesecake Factory
• Bass Pro Shops
• IKEA

A company may evaluate a market or negotiate privately without announcing a location. Until there is a corporate statement, building permit, signed lease, developer announcement, or other reliable documentation, those names should be treated as rumors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ruby Tuesday opening next to LongHorn at Pier Park?

Yes. The new Ruby Tuesday property is at 15737 Panama City Beach Parkway beside LongHorn Steakhouse and near Pier Park. Commercial property information lists the building as completed in 2025 with a new 15-year Ruby Tuesday lease.

Is Topgolf Panama City Beach open?

Yes. Topgolf Panama City Beach opened on June 27, 2025. It is located at 15475 Topgolf Way near Powell Adams Road and Pier Park.

What is being developed behind or near Pier Park?

Pier Park City Center is an approximately 80-acre mixed-use development planned for entertainment, restaurants, commercial uses, and other businesses. Topgolf was the first business to open there.

Is Pirates Voyage open in Panama City Beach?

Yes. Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show opened in 2025 at 16061 Panama City Beach Parkway.

When will the new Panama City Beach hospital open?

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare currently projects completion of the planned 100-bed FSU Health hospital in 2027. Construction schedules can change.

Is Costco coming to Panama City Beach?

No official Costco announcement for Panama City Beach has been located as of this update. Posts claiming that a location is confirmed should be treated cautiously unless they link to Costco, the property developer, or an official government development record.

Will development near Pier Park increase property values?

New services and attractions can support buyer demand, but they do not guarantee appreciation. Property values also depend on location, condition, HOA finances, insurance costs, rental rules, financing, inventory, interest rates, and overall market conditions.

Sources and Additional Information

• SRS Real Estate Partners: Panama City Beach Ruby Tuesday
• The St. Joe Company: Topgolf and Pier Park City Center
• Topgolf Panama City Beach
• Pirates Voyage Panama City Beach
• Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare: New FSU Health Hospital
• The St. Joe Company: FSU Health Medical Campus
• Visit Panama City Beach: Pier Park