Moss acquires Ellison to strengthen Mid-Florida presence

National construction management firm Moss has acquired Tampa-based Ellison Construction, a move that significantly deepens Moss’ footprint in mid-Florida as development activity continues to accelerate across the region.

The transaction unites two companies with long Florida histories and similar operating philosophies. Moss, which is privately held and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, said the acquisition adds local talent, regional expertise and project depth in one of the state’s most competitive construction markets.

Ellison Construction has been a visible player in Tampa Bay for years, known for commercial, mixed-use and placemaking projects. Under the agreement, Cory Ellison, president of Ellison Construction, and his team will join Moss and be integrated into its mid-Florida operations. The companies said the cultural alignment between their teams was a key factor in the deal.

Scott Moss, Moss’ chief executive officer, said the acquisition positions the firm for long-term growth in a region seeing sustained population and investment increases. He noted that combining Ellison’s regional experience with Moss’ scale allows the company to better serve clients undertaking complex and large-scale projects.

While Ellison Construction will be folded into Moss, the broader Ellison Companies structure will remain intact. Ellison Development will continue as a separate entity, led by CEO Casey Ellison, and Ellison Advisors will also remain independent under its existing leadership. The deal establishes a strategic construction relationship between Moss and Ellison Development, formalizing collaboration on future projects.

That shift allows Ellison leadership to concentrate more heavily on development and investment initiatives. Among them is ARK Ellison, a recently announced investment fund created in partnership with ARK Invest in conjunction with the group’s hope to redevelop the Historic Gas Plant site.

Several major projects remain in the pipeline, including The Central in St. Petersburg, the Heights Redevelopment in Tampa Heights and The Fletcher District, a mixed-use project tied to the University of South Florida.

Moss operates nationally across sectors that include residential, education, mixed-use, hospitality, solar and sports facilities. The firm has steadily expanded its Florida presence over the past decade, particularly in Tampa Bay and Central Florida, where redevelopment and infrastructure investment continue to drive demand for construction services.

The acquisition reflects a broader trend in Florida’s construction industry, where firms are scaling up to meet sustained growth while maintaining local market knowledge. For Moss, the Ellison deal strengthens its ability to compete for complex projects while keeping experienced Tampa Bay leadership and crews in place.