Clearwater residents can use their smartphones to preview what three major downtown construction projects will look like when finished, thanks to a free augmented reality tool the city rolled out Oct. 28.

The city partnered with the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council (TBRPC) to deploy the technology at downtown construction sites using the inCitu platform. Visitors scan a QR code posted on construction fencing and view a 3D model of the completed building through their phone's camera. No app download is required.

The AR displays are live at three sites along Osceola Avenue:

  • The Ballad Hotel, 50 N. Osceola Ave. A 10-story hotel with 158 guest rooms and ground-floor retail near Coachman Park.
  • 150 S. Osceola Ave. A 28-story mixed-use luxury development with approximately 400 residences, retail space and parking.
  • Osceola Parking Garage, 155 S. Osceola Ave. A city-owned facility with 397 parking spaces and ground-floor commercial space available for lease.

The technology works through a phone's browser. Visitors find the inCitu poster on the fencing, scan the QR code with their camera and follow the link. The platform overlays a digital model of the finished building onto the real-world view of the construction site, according to the city's announcement.

It is free.

Residents who cannot visit in person can explore the projects remotely through the inCitu interactive platform online.

The three developments are part of ongoing public and private construction downtown. The city said the AR tool, delivered through its TBRPC partnership, is meant to help the community see how each project will fit into the streetscape once building wraps.

The city's announcement did not include projected completion dates for any of the three projects or quotes from any named official.