Our hometown of Sebring, Florida used to be a quiet lakeside town for most of the year (except during race week).
But now we’re almost always buzzing and lively thanks to HGTV’s Home Town Takeover. In Season 3, fan favorite hosts Ben and Erin Napier rolled into the “City on the Circle” to revitalize downtown Sebring- our city renovation has sparked new energy, foot traffic, and fresh local pride.
What began as another TV makeover season for everyone else quickly turned into a real-life renaissance for Sebring and our surrounding areas. The Napiers, joined by HGTV all-stars, tackled six major projects across town, from revamping local homes, storefronts, and public spaces- and infused their signature small-town charm right here into Sebring. It all started with the beloved Sebring Soda Shop and a spotlight on our annual Sebring Soda Festival. The building which received a cheerful robin’s-egg blue exterior, vintage‑modern signage, and a full interior makeover that revived original architectural touches.
The historic Circle Theatre and Sophie’s Cuban café also joined the transformation wave, with new facades, refreshed interiors, and inviting public features that drive locals and tourists back downtown after years of getting passed by on the main route, US 27.
HGTV’s crew didn’t stop there though, they enhanced Circle Park with a new gazebo, bold decorative murals, pedestrian crosswalk art, a permanent ping pong table, cornhole, and a striking wave sculpture that the kids LOVE. Nearly every building directly on the circle had at least the outside revitalized.
Thanks to collaboration between HGTV and the Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), the transformation was funded 50/50 and fast‑tracked the city’s redevelopment plan. The end result of these efforts was more than just cosmetic, driving significant business and tourism to our historic district.
If you haven’t watched all the episodes of the show yet, here’s some spoilers as to the kinds of updates we saw in our hometown.
- Interior updates: Historic architecture were revealed and returned to their former glory- like transom windows and a lifted ceiling at Sebring Soda Shop (now Liam’s). The Hometown Takeover team renovated homes for teachers and local leaders, each thoughtfully updated to reflect function and style.
- Exterior facades: Restaurants and shops gained fresh paint, vintage‑inspired awnings, and updated signage that honor the town’s Mediterranean‑Revival and Classical‑Revival architecture styles. New murals and art can be found all around downtown, adding to the vibrancy of our city.
Public spaces in our parks were redesigned to encourage gatherings and cute date nights with new gazebo seating, artsy crosswalks, and plenty of aesthetic photo opportunities to share with your friends! Sebring’s downtown makeover isn’t just a makeover; it has become a conversation piece, a cultural catalyst, and a testament to the power of thoughtful design and community pride. HGTV’s spotlight may fade when the season ends, but we promise you that Sebring’s glow is just getting started- so come see our hometown for yourself!
