Tampa Radio: iHM Sells Property Housing Stations

iHeartMedia has sold the Gandy Boulevard property that houses its Tampa Bay radio stations in a deal worth $3.8 million, The Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Tampa studios are home to eight local stations, according to iHeartMedia’s most recent annual earnings report, including 93.3-FLZ, 98 Rock, 95.7 The Beat, U.S. 103.5 and WFLA 970.

According to Hillsborough County property records, the station building was sold April 29 to a group called LBA LVF VII XII Company LLC, which shares an Irvine, Calif. address with the buyers of a 39-acre Macy’s warehouse property next door. That property sold in late December for $32 million.

The iHeartMedia purchase gives the company a large, wedge-shaped tract that abuts a CSX railway near the southern end of the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway.

An iHeartMedia manager in Tampa referred questions to a company spokesperson, who did not immediately respond to a call and emails about the sale and what might happen to the stations. Reached by phone, a manager with LBA Realty, the firm behind the Macy’s and iHeartMedia purchases, said she couldn’t comment on transactions without company approval.

The Gandy studios have been home to a fair amount of Tampa Bay radio history over the years, from its Clear Channel days to now. Personalities like Glenn Beck, Bubba the Love Sponge and Todd “MJ” Schnitt have broadcast programs from there. Many celebrities have stopped by the station for meet-and-greets and acoustic concerts, including Selena Gomez, John Mayer, Train, Imagine Dragons and 5 Seconds of Summer.