Pensacola mixed-use development Ransley Station was designed to make life easy, offering places to sleep, socialize, exercise and dine all just a few steps away.
Originally given the green light from Escambia County in 2021, developers have been chiseling away at the 60-plus-acre multipurpose plaza one business at a time ever since.
Next on the list of incoming businesses to join the development are a Planet Fitness gym, a Homewood Suites by Hilton hotel and an Express Oil Change, according to Brandon McFarren, vice president of development for Catalyst.
What it Ransley Station?
Ransley Station was created by the 1559 Collective, which is comprised of a variety of Pensacola people and organizations under the umbrella of Catalyst Healthspan Enterprises. The 1559 Collective has produced several major Pensacola-area development projects, including the East Garden District, Union Public House’s new location and the incoming Hotel Tristan. The 1559 Collective is led by founder and CEO Chad Henderson, who is a managing partner at Catalyst HRE.
The project has been in motion since 2019, but it faced temporary delays during the pandemic, according to McFarren.
The idea for the lively plaza that now sits near the intersection of Interstate 10 and Pine Forest Road emerged after Navy Federal Credit Union announced plans to build a campus in the area bringing 8,000 to 10,000 new jobs.
The development is split into distinct districts offering apartment complexes, restaurants and retail, with medical services and a hotel coming soon.
The businesses were chosen to help fill retail gaps in the community and provide easy access for freeway travelers. Developers knew the area was growing, and they got lucky finding the perfect plot of land to build on, naming it Ransley Station as a nod to the dairy farm that once operated there.
“With the growth of Navy Federal out in that area, there was a clear need for additional housing, and different housing than just single-family that was out in Nature Trail and some of those neighborhoods out there,” McFarren said. “So, it was a clear opportunity to get some residential via the multifamily that’s right off the interstate and easy access to Navy Federal. And with doing that … it should have some retail components that help attract residents there. So it was a really neat way to create a small little development that had residential that was able to service through restaurants, healthcare, even the Wawa was a nice addition to that, too.”
While the tenants have the freedom to design their spaces from the ground up to match their brands, they still work to maintain brand consistency across Ransley Station to help give the plaza a sense of place.
It’s designed to be largely walkable, so Ransley Station visitors can grab a bite to eat, meet a friend after work and go exercise at the gym, all on foot.
While it was a massive selection process, developers are nearing the end of their search for initial tenants, with only three plots remaining for Parcels A (2.14 acres), B (1.33 acres) and G (1.12 acres). They are hoping to find a full-service restaurant, automotive company or potentially even a car wash.
Which new businesses are coming next to Ransley Station?
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness is planned to join the Ransley Station lineup soon, offering an affordable option to exercise in the area. The gym company was founded in 1992 and touts its “non-intimidating, low-cost model” across the U.S. It has branded itself as the “Judgment Free Zone” of gyms, offering high-quality equipment in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
Planet Fitness is planning to break ground in 2027.
Homewood Suites By Hilton
Escambia County issued a development order in May 2024 for a proposal to build a 20,350-square-foot hotel on Lot 9 with a four-story structure and 123 units, as well as a pool and a pair of recreational areas.
“The land has been finalized, it’s just a matter of them moving it forward and starting construction,” McFarren said.
Homewood Suites is known to offer comfortable, pet-friendly, spacious suites that can accommodate the needs of a longer stay.
The hotel will open at 8825 Boesch Lane, across the street from Wawa.
Express Oil Change
Express Oil has committed to Parcel H (1.12 acres), though it is not yet pictured on Ransley Station’s site plan, according to McFarren.
Express Oil advertises quick and efficient 10-minute oil changes. Some locations also offer an array of auto care, including brake inspections and service, vehicle inspections, wheel alignment, battery testing and replacement and more. Express currently has several locations spanning Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
McAllister’s Deli
A new McAlister’s Deli was recently approved, where it will join a host of other restaurants catering to mealtime needs in the fast-growing area.
Site plans were turned in to Escambia County on May 27 by Sweet Tea Charm Inc. and Sierra Point Development, both entities run by Thomas Messina.
McAlister’s offers sandwiches galore, with well over 20 variations to choose from, including Cubans, French dips, Reubens, turkey melts and the famous McAlister’s Club, which comes layered with roasted turkey, Black Forest ham, bacon, sharp cheddar, Swiss, spring mix, tomato, mayo and McAlister’s Honey Mustard on wheat bread.
What’s under construction at Ransley Station right now
Baptist Medical Group Primary Care
8863 Boesch Lane
Baptist Health Care and Catalyst Healthcare Real Estate announced plans in 2025 to work together to build an approximately 8,226-square-foot facility that will serve as a primary care office.
Escambia’s Development Review Committee approved the proposal on Oct. 22, 2025.
The medical office will be on the opposite end of the existing roundabout from Wawa and will be accessed from Boesch Lane or Ransley Station Boulevard. Baptist will be relocating from its former office in the area, having outgrown its current location, and the new Ransley Station clinic will be able to treat a large number of patients, according to McFarren.
Construction is underway at the care center, which is expected to open in November.
First Watch
8860 Boesch Lane
A 3,900-square-foot First Watch restaurant is on the tail end of construction, with its opening day planned for Aug. 31. On opening day itself, the first 100 guests will receive a free tumbler. During opening week, diners will also be offered a pot of Project Sunrise coffee on the house.
First Watch is a Florida-based restaurant known for its brunch, including its signature plate-sized pancakes, hashes, omelets, frittatas and Benedicts. It also has a variety of lunch items including sandwiches, salads and turkey burgers.
First Watch’s first Pensacola restaurant opened five years ago at 1670 E. Nine Mile Road. There is also a location in Gulf Breeze at 721 Gulf Breeze Parkway. The restaurant at Ransley Station will be bigger than its restaurant on Nine Mile Road, which is 3,400 square feet.
What’s open at Ransley Station right now
Wawa
8840 Boesch Lane
Wawa was the first commercial business approved to set up a Ransley Station store. The gas station and convenience store opened on Lot 3 at the end of 2024.
Wawa is known for fresh food and its customer service, and has developed a passionate fan base beyond the regular customers who just want a fill-up.
Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the standard Wawa offers all the things you’d expect from a convenience store (snacks, lottery tickets, drinks, tobacco, gas at most locations, etc.), but it also offers a larger variety of fresh food than most fast-food restaurants, such as its made-to-order, fan-favorite hoagies and the hot breakfast “Sizzli” sandwiches.
Wawas are also famous for customer service, scrupulously clean bathrooms, decent gas prices, free air for your tires and no-charge ATMs.
The Hangar
8890 Boesch Lane
The Hangar at Ransley offers an elevated living experience, including pet-friendly one-, two- and three-bedroom residences, according to The Hangar’s website. The Hangar advertises luxury amenities, including a resort-style pool, door-to-door trash pickup, a Starbucks coffee bar, a dog park, game room, fire pit, lifestyle fitness program, EV charging station and more. The Hangar has 336 units and finished construction in 2023. Due to The Hangar’s success, an additional housing group was added through the Flats, McFarren said.
Apartments range in size from 827 square feet to 1,166 square feet.
The Flats at Ransley
8889 Ransley Station Blvd.
Ransley Station’s new housing development, The Flats, just welcomed its first tenants in July, with more units currently under construction. The Flats at Ransley offers luxury one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes.
The Flats began with 42 available to units, and by Aug. 19 had opened an additional 42. Developers plan to continue rolling out more units in phases until they reach their total of 294 units, with ongoing construction to the side of The Flats to make way for more units, according to Danielle Caroll, community manager for The Flats at Ransley.
The Flats offers the opportunity for “ultimate modern living” with chef-inspired kitchens, upscale wood-style flooring and expansive closets, according to The Flats’ website. Some of the unique features include a resort-style pool, door-to-door trash pickup, a 24/7 game room, 24/7 coworking spaces, and an on-site dog park.
Apartments range from $1,530 for a one-bedroom (758 square feet) to $2,419 for a three-bedroom apartment (1,595 square feet).
Chipotle
8870 Boesch Lane
The 2,325-square-foot Chipotle restaurant at Ransley Station opened in March of 2026, making it the fourth Chipotle in Escambia County.
The fast-casual restaurant chain is known for its customizable menu of burritos, bowls, salads and more. While the menu remains consistent, with protein options such as chicken, steak and barbacoa, there are occasionally limited-time specials, such as the Chipotle honey chicken, which is available at the Ransley Station Chipotle now.
Culver’s
8880 Boesch Lane
The Culver’s at 8880 Boesch Lane in Ransley Station opened in April of 2026.
Developers built a 4,985-square-foot restaurant with 124 seats — 100 interior and 24 exterior — as well as 65 parking spaces on a 1.49-acre parcel.
The Wisconsin-based franchise is known for its signature ButterBurgers, cheese curds and fresh frozen custard.
PNJ reporter Tom McLaughlin contributed to this report.
Brittany Misencik is a veteran dining reporter for the Pensacola News Journal.
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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: 60-acre Ransley Station nears completion. Here’s what’s coming and already open
Reporting by Brittany Misencik, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
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By Brittany Misencik, Pensacola News Journal | USA TODAY Network
