WINTER HAVEN, FL May 4, 2026. Today, SouthState Bank N.A. and Winter Haven developer Six/Ten LLC announced a major development for downtown Winter Haven that includes: (1) the construction of a new five story, 40,000 square foot office building on Central Avenue, and (2) the relocation of the bank's approximately 125 Winter Haven Operations Center employees to the new building in the heart of the urban center.
The new building will be located at 233 Central Ave. Six/Ten, LLC will be the developer and project coordinator for the project. The completed new office building will be owned by SouthState.
This development creates a major new downtown Winter Haven office building and a significant increase in downtown-based professional employees. The Central Avenue site has been vacant for over a decade.
"This new downtown office building provides our team with the modern environment they need to continue serving our clients with excellence, while staying in Winter Haven," said John Corbett, CEO of SouthState. "There is a unique, vibrant energy in this downtown district. We want our team to be an active part of that atmosphere, and we are thrilled to deepen our presence in a place we call home."
SouthState Bank is the largest Florida-based bank and the 29th largest bank in the country. The newly constructed five-story SouthState Winter Haven Operations Center building will house an estimated 125 professional employees, relocated from other parts of the city, bringing a significant number of employees to Winter Haven's city center. According to local historian Bob Gernert, the new building's construction is an historic moment: "This will be the tallest new office building built in downtown Winter Haven in more than 100 years."
"This is very good news for Downtown Winter Haven," said Bud Strang, CEO of Six/Ten LLC. "The SouthState story is an impressive one and we are all very fortunate to have them headquartered in Winter Haven. By locating their new Operations Center in the downtown business district they are demonstrating an even greater commitment to their employees, their customers and the greater Winter Haven community while also confirming that Downtown Winter Haven is a great place for business."
"The announcement is great," said Bruce Lyon, president of the Winter Haven Economic Development Council. "This project brings to downtown a new office building, and a high-wage workforce to Central Avenue, with employees who will support our local shops and restaurants." Added T. Michael Stavros, Winter Haven City Manager: "The move solidifies downtown as a premier destination for business. It is truly a tipping-point moment for our city's urban core."
Project Highlights:
New Administrative Office Building: 5 stories, ~40,000 sq. ft. at 233 Central Ave (Owned by SouthState).
Workforce: 125 administrative employees in the new office building.
About SouthState Bank N.A.: SouthState, a subsidiary of SouthState Corporation (NASDAQ: SSB), is a multi-state financial services company. Following its continued growth through 2025, SouthState is the largest bank headquartered in Florida.
About Six/Ten LLC: Six/Ten LLC is a Winter Haven-based developer specializing in the revitalization of the city's downtown through innovative commercial, residential, and historic preservation projects.
For additional information, contact Jacqelyn Smith at SouthState (803-378-6908) and Bud Strang at Six/Ten (863-287-2170).