I think that every tower being should have some street interaction, restaurants, galleries, stores, etc.
Like Tampa Towers

Everyone seems a bit too excited about Tampa Towers. Drawing on decades of observation of this town, I for one am very dubious about that particular project. - It would be nice, but I am dubious

Tampa Tower(s) is for another thread...but like I said on a the Tampa Development thread a few weeks back -- they are just throwing shit against the wall to see what sticks.

Very true...God they should really try to clean up the homeless off of the street. I was downtown today and I was hassled by like three homeless guys. Then I was at the BP right before Kennedy and this homeless guy was bothering my friend for money and he was really getting bold. I think some positive effort should be made towards it.

Very true...God they should really try to clean up the homeless off of the street. I was downtown today and I was hassled by like three homeless guys. Then I was at the BP right before Kennedy and this homeless guy was bothering my friend for money and he was really getting bold. I think some positive effort should be made towards it.

Unfortunately every city will have some homeless people. Actually there was a TV special I saw a while back that talked to homeless people and many said they would rather stay homeless then be forced to live in a Central Park like development.

Those are bums, they like the streets. Most homeless people are families living in roach motels or cars and wouldn't be too proud to live in Central Park as it stands now, let alone a new one.

I wish that they would not be so...bold with their approach.

You think this is bad, go to Downtown LA and you'll see bold.

My Ex Girlfriend - real flake -- was friends with a lot of homeless on Clearwater Beach. I actually got a chance to socialize with these people and they weren't of the bold variety that will ask for money or get in yoru face. They seemed more interested in enjoying themselves on the beach with music near Pier 60. Guys downtown seem to be tryign to get their next fix (liquor? Drugs? Whatever).

"Cleaning up" the homeless downtown is quesiton of getting some of those people th help they need (and having them stick to it) while with others -- they are just bums. Lazy, enjoying life but not seeking anything from it.

I think that is good also. I mean I wanted to knock out the homeless guy that was harassing me for like 15 minutes while I was getting gas. It was nuts.

^ That's unfortunate. I know several of the bums who live in my neighborhood who will never go overboard with their panhandling (at least not with me); then again, I usually have a dollar for those guys, too.

It seems to me downtown Tampa has a larger population of homeless than the other large cities I've lived in--but that may just be because I'm down here all the time. I can understand why, though--if you plan to live on the streets, you head south. You sure don't stay in Detroit.

Things will change, though, as the non-vagrant population of downtown increases substantially over the next two years. Will the high-dollar types at Rez @ Franklin put up with the homeless population in their immediate neighborhood? Will the bums be chased someplace else? Will the cops start picking them up? The only thing I don't see happening is nothing--but that doesn't mean there will ever be fewer homeless guys downtown. I think they'll probably just a few more blocks north, into the Heights.

DT Orlando was much worse. Miami/Ft Lauderdale is pretty bad as well. I moved away from Orlando almost one year ago and thankfully have never been back, so I can't tell you if it changed


It seems to me downtown Tampa has a larger population of homeless than the other large cities I've lived in--but that may just be because I'm down here all the time. I can understand why, though--if you plan to live on the streets, you head south. You sure don't stay in Detroit.

Projects were looking GREAT tonight.

If anything is built on that lot between Forum and Channelside, the 3 HI towers shoot up, the Newks condo goes up, Trump finally rises, and that unnamed 20 story tower off Meridian rises by T@C, you will have a NICe canyon view standing at CS's valet.

Well as it stands right now I found out from Tampa Downtown Partnership today well yesterday, that Kress and Trump were onhold. All three of Novares buildings are going to breakground on time. As far as Hillsborough River Tower they are waiting on financing and office tenancy to pick up. As far as the Channelside projects I did not have the time to check up on them, but on next Friday I will do a weekly update.

HRT has been waiting for financing and tennants for a decade. It ain't happening anytime soon. No market for extra office space downtown.

Was down at Channelside last night... I can't believe how fast the T@C is going up!

They're now working on the 8th floor of the east tower, and are done with the pedestal of the west tower...

Jason, have you formated my pics to post them yet?

Nope... Probably won't be until tomorrow... I am with my family right now, and going out until late tonight... However, tomorrow I don't have any plans.

no problem have fun...lol.could you email them back to meso I can post them?

Was down at Channelside last night... I can't believe how fast the T@C is going up!

They're now working on the 8th floor of the east tower, and are done with the pedestal of the west tower...

I know! It'll be no time before it toatally dominates Channelside and will be part of the skyline.

I've been downtown but not to channelside lately. Bums me out...

What's the work schedule like? I mean, the Skypoint team is going six days a week, almost 24 hours a day.. It SOUNDS like Towers is doing the same -- if not seven days instead.

It's been a while since I've been to Channelside also. Does anyone have any pics of this project? I'm dying to see whats going on and haven't had the time to see for myself.

It already smacks you in the face when driving off of Harbor Island and it's not even half-way built yet.

^I estimate that it's about 1/4 of its final hieght.

Well, yea, it's only on the 6th or seventh floor - kindo f hard to tell because they are split at some point

i have pictures, but I have to send them to Jason to format them, so I can post them.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/thehappysmith/ChannelsideTowers.jpg
Here's a pic. It's about two weeks old now.

Side note--I rode my bike up the parking garage to take this. A 75-year old man in a golf cart followed me and told me I wasn't allowed to park there.
I've been doing this every Sunday for months. Security just now noticed my presence? I don't know why exactly, but for some reason it was very funny to me.

I was in the parking garage and I took photos from the sixth floor. It was Most Good!

They have no idea what they aer doing. I have driven to the top a number of times and no one cares. Same in Ybor - but then every now and then someone comes and says something - who knows why.

I walk right by the security guards all of the time. They say jack.

Here's something of interest -

http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBHFHDYTME.html

Channel District Zoning Plan On Track
Skip directly to the full story.
By JANIS D. FROELICH jfroelich@tampatrib.com

Published: May 5, 2006

TAMPA - The city council continued moving forward Thursday with a plan to raise the building height limit and set other development rules in the Channel District.

Council members want a speedy wrap-up for the plan for the booming residential area next to downtown.

The height restriction would go from 60 feet to 175 feet. Developers who want to build higher or increase density would have to offer incentives such as parks or more public parking.

Councilman John Dingfelder asked that the new zoning be in place by year's end. Asked by Dingfelder what would happen meanwhile, Assistant City Attorney Sal Territo said developers would know the plan "is what you'd like to see done in the area."

Dingfelder asked the plan's author, the WilsonMiller consulting company, to include language calling for district residents and developers to consider more financial support of art and the streetcars.

The council also briefly discussed the possibility of a bond to pay for infrastructure. "We need to let developers know our priorities as they woo us [with amenities] for bonus density," Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena said.

Councilwoman Mary Alvarez said the community is on the same page after months of discord.

Resident Francine Messano said the emphasis is on quality projects. "We also need big open spaces," she said. "Not pocket parks."

Sorry Francine, if you're in downtown you're in DOWNTOWN, a high density developed area. Big open spaces are for the countryside and in downtown they are typically developed with more high-density development.

Actually, I would like them to build a relatively large "commons" area that would give a lot of opportunity for interaction and, even better, ringing development. There is some space for that if the city had any creativity and could beyond the waterfront.

I think by 2009 Tampa will see much more scrapers in its skyline in dev. than any other city in this area (minus Miami).

Channelside IS going to be in need of a park or two soon. I noticed that riding around today. Urban environment's cool, no doubt about that, but if there aren't any parks around it's going to be quite sterile there. The city, or a developer, needs to give that thought here very shortly, while there are still a handful of lots not up for development.

I think that the land across from The Forum would be a really cool place to have a park. I would like to see a skyscraper there, but I am not going to hold my breath for a skyscraper on the property.

I think by 2009 Tampa will see much more scrapers in its skyline in dev. than any other city in this area (minus Miami).

You guys better move quick. As it stands, Orlando has about double the amount of projects in development than Tampa.

I know I am envious of some of the projects in Orlando. I think that Tampa will keep a slight edge on Orlando, but it will be close, because your the entertainment capitol of the South. (IMO) Although, we (Tampa) do have an edge on Orlando, because we have an actual waterfront, not Orlando with Lake Eola.

I'll take Lake Eola over a channel anyday.

although Orlando does have more projects, I think the appeal of Tampa's projects are more than Orlando's.

I'll take Lake Eola over a channel anyday.

It's a deal. Tampa keeps the channel that docks mega cruise and freight ships and Orlando keeps Lake Eola to jet ski on. Now what about the attached BAY which opens to the gulf? We don't want to forget the hill's river either. :jk:

One thing I always liked more about Orlando is the landscaping of the highways that cut through town. I never understood why Tampa never tried to make their main arteries more attactive. I have heard talk about it for years and remember an attempt with some ugly scrub palms planted for one of the Superbowls.... :bash:

although Orlando does have more projects, I think the appeal of Tampa's projects are more than Orlando's.

Although I would imagine in order for the first statement to be true it might automatically negate the second? In the end, for Orlando, it's a game of catch up. Tampa has very solid projects that have yet to be announced, as does Orlando. Both are great cities that each hold their own appeal for different reasons.

Although I would imagine in order for the first statement to be true it might automatically negate the second? In the end, for Orlando, it's a game of catch up. Tampa has very solid projects that have yet to be announced, as does Orlando. Both are great cities that each hold their own appeal for different reasons.

Orlandonative, is there a list anywhere of all the Orlando projects with renderings?

I'll take Lake Eola over a channel anyday.

It's a 25 acre lake!

Tell you what, you can keep your coy pond and we will keep the BAY

http://www.ciekurzis.org/Tampa%20Bay/port%20of%20tampa.jpg

Orlando has it's advantages don't get me wrong, but I like Tampa's diversity the river, and the Bay..,

Sunsets are remarkable, and I like the fact that we have 2 championships and 3 major league teams, that mentions Tampa's name in every newspaper and news channels around this country all year long..

It's a 25 acre lake!

Tell you what, you can keep your coy pond and we will keep the BAY

http://www.ciekurzis.org/Tampa%20Bay/port%20of%20tampa.jpg

Can you get any pics of DT coming over the causeway 22ndst, going towards Palmetto Beach???

That would be a great pic to put on here..

Hmmm... I wonder how many "swan" boats would fit into our "channel" http://www.lebargetropicalcruises.com/gasparilla2003.jpg

Think this is bigger then Lake Eola?

http://www.ciekurzis.org/Tampa%20Bay/downtown%20tampa.jpg

Hell yes it is.

LOL OrlandoNative -- you're funny! :)

Ya i gotta agree here. Lake Eola is like a straight jacket. It only opens up Orlando to itself. Tampa Bay opens up Tampa to the WORLD. :cheers: The only advantage Lake Eola has is possible pollution.

Wow, I didnt excpect that response. In any case, dont get me wrong I love both cities, I've lived in both. My opinion, was that the "bay" is not as accessible to the masses, as a destination, as a lake surrounded on all sides by a park and buildings. It is built into a high density location right in the middle of downtown. The bay certainly provides as a nice backdrop from a distance, but IMO thats about it. As far as the ocean, thats kind of a moot point, due to the fact that I can access the ocean from Orlando in about the same amount of time as Tampa.

With regards to the amounts of projects, there is no real personal sense of urgency to justify my position. I have had the good fortune of choosing a career path that allows me to build highrises all over Florida. From an unbiased standpoint the fact is, that as the wave of development progresses the Orlando market is proving itself the more stable and viable area for high impact development within the loose definition of "downtown". Obviously this hasn't always been the case, keep in mind that until now Orlando has found itself in the position of the perverbial underdog. It has always been a game of catch up.

Hopefully this conversation will continue in a grown-up manner. Minus the occasional unfactual homeboyism from both cities on both sites I have always enjoyed reading and discussing these subjects with you guys on both sites.

Orlandonative, are you an architect or a developer? If so, I would love to know if any Orlando firms plan to build in Tampa.

Wow, I didnt excpect that response. In any case, dont get me wrong I love both cities, I've lived in both. My opinion, was that the "bay" is not as accessible to the masses, as a destination, as a lake surrounded on all sides by a park and buildings. It is built into a high density location right in the middle of downtown. The bay certainly provides as a nice backdrop from a distance, but IMO thats about it. As far as the ocean, thats kind of a moot point, due to the fact that I can access the ocean from Orlando in about the same amount of time as Tampa.

With regards to the amounts of projects, there is no real personal sense of urgency to justify my position. I have had the good fortune of choosing a career path that allows me to build highrises all over Florida. From an unbiased standpoint the fact is, that as the wave of development progresses the Orlando market is proving itself the more stable and viable area for high impact development within the loose definition of "downtown". Obviously this hasn't always been the case, keep in mind that until now Orlando has found itself in the position of the perverbial underdog. It has always been a game of catch up.

Hopefully this conversation will continue in a grown-up manner. Minus the occasional unfactual homeboyism from both cities on both sites I have always enjoyed reading and discussing these subjects with you guys on both sites.
Don't get me wrong, Orlando is a great city, it's not called Theme Park City of the World for nothing, but Tampa has more character to it. Orlando, you look at it and go " Where is the amazement to the City?", but Tampa, you get more feeling of every aspect. Tampa looks beautiful during the sunrise to sunset, even at night it's still gorgous. Tampa has more coming from it, but Orlando is fastly catching up with us, soon we will be neck and neck in stunning towers and skyline. We are basically Twin Sisters

Hey guys, how did this thread turn into Orlando vs. Tampa? Let's get back to the Channelside projects...

Speaking of which, stopped by the sales office for The Slade at Channelside. Will be high end, similar to The Place. Infinity pool and salt water pool. Two story gym and spa. Lots of amenities. Prices range from $265K - $599K.

They say they'll be breaking ground in 90-120 days. Seems a little ambitious to me, but I'm betting by the end of the year.

Will be a nice compliment to the other projects currently in construction in the Channel District - Grand Central, The Place, Ventana, and the Towers at Channelside.

That is AWESOME!!

Is teh slade the 7 story with the funny "deco" hat?

It turned into a city v city because the people who accuse anyone who makes a comment not suitably enthusiastic about even a single project of constantly harrassing them and not letting them express themselves tried to make it one.

Personally, I like the lake (though it is too bad that the big cluster is on the other side of downtown - but that will change) and the river/channel/bay. St. PEte has a better waterfront settign than either - as does Miami

Tampa all the way!!! Most major cities in the world are located near a large body of water (large lakes, rivers, bays or oceans) and not a little pond like Orlando. If Disney World was never there then Orlando would just be another cow town. And that the fact Jack!

St Pete is currently kicking Tampa and Orlando's ass. Hopefully the pier will get modernised. I was just down there last night and there were people everywhere. It has a great waterfront florida vibe to it. Lots of park space, art, culture, retail. On a monday night there were multiple venues with live music playing and nice crowds in the streets.

St. Pete kicks their ass in people -- not business. Also, downtown is the epitome of priced-out florida... You have all the haves inside downtown while the have nots are just west of the Trop.

'Course you can say the Have Nots also live in Central Park in Tampa... But it's not as big a swath of low income, high-racial tension area of Midtown in St. Petersburg.

Tampa all the way!!! Most major cities in the world are located near a large body of water (large lakes, rivers, bays or oceans) and not a little pond like Orlando. If Disney World was never there then Orlando would just be another cow town. And that the fact Jack!

But Disney is there, and isn't going anywhere. After thirty years of massive growth/development, you'd think this would be a mute point and irrelevant argument. Never stops...

I think it is irrelevant either way because it is destined that cities will grow and why can't Orlando just grow granted I do not think it will be like Tampa anytime soon, but it should be allowed to grow. I think it needs to prove itself to be something other than a themepark because I think that is what Orlando needs to show a more grown up image.

Is teh slade the 7 story with the funny "deco" hat?

It turned into a city v city because the people who accuse anyone who makes a comment not suitably enthusiastic about even a single project of constantly harrassing them and not letting them express themselves tried to make it one.

Personally, I like the lake (though it is too bad that the big cluster is on the other side of downtown - but that will change) and the river/channel/bay. St. PEte has a better waterfront settign than either - as does Miami

Yes, Slade is the 7 or 8 story building that spans half a block lenghthwise on Meridian 1 block south of Grand Central.

BTW guys, you should quit that Orlando vs. Tampa crap in this thread. Put it somewhere else.

The Slade will consist of two res buildings connected by a parking ramp with retail/business facade. It will run along 11th Street, starting at Kennedy and ending at Washington.

Both residential buildings will be 8 stories, and both will have the "funny deco hats," which looks more like "crowns" to me.

Right now their sales office is going by appointment only, but should be opening to the general public soon.

I think the Slade looks like a great project on Meridian.

Speaking of Meridian....

I don't think there is any plan yet but eventually the sugar mill will probably be sold/moved. After that would there be any need for the train tracks on the other side of Meridian? There sure would be alot of green space for parks left over with some nice towers sprinkled in. Any talk of this?

^ Those train tracks and accompanying ROW sure would make a nice light rail or even monorail station. Right in the middle of it all. Imagine a station there wwith people coming in from around the region and some kind of local people mover system to shuttle them into downtown. With a monorail, you may not have to add the local people mover system.

If not a station, a park with the "wide open space" mentioned in some of the other threads.

1) I beleive it is a flour mill not sugar

2) people talk about it all the time, and the answer is always - we are not moving. Until they say they are moving, I would just not waste time speculating.

1) you're correct

2) the city needs to do a trade off and make it lucrative for Con Agra -- a land swap and potential expansion or some other type of item that would be productive for the mill.

If they don't -- I could honestly see this as an emminent domain case (if they wanted to use the land for a park or for mass transit infrastructure).

Orlandonative, I will be happy to engage you in a grown-up conversation. If my comments about Lake Eola being a coy pond were a little biting, it is only because I find the idea that a 25 acre lake in downtown Orlando is somehow a better waterfront setting then Tampas insulting. Let me put that aside this time and respectfully disagree with you.

My opinion, was that the "bay" is not as accessible to the masses, as a destination, as a lake surrounded on all sides by a park and buildings.

The Bay is extremely accessible to the masses. The bay is accessible by foot along Bayshore Blvd, the longest continuous sidewalk in the world. Bayshore completely fronts the the bay and is highly used by local residents. Just this evening at 7:00 P.M. I drove down Bayshore with this conversation in mind and counted 287 people accessing the bay along this city of Tampa park. I observed people jogging, walking, cycling, rollerblading, walking dogs, pushing strollers, sitting on benches, standing and taking in a view of the bay, a man doing pull-ups and a quadrapalegic in a racing wheelchair. A completed Riverwalk will only add to this great accessibility. The Bay is also accessible by car along the same route. Furthermore, the bay is accessible by Boat for residents that have slips on Harbor and Davis Island.

As far as the ocean, thats kind of a moot point, due to the fact that I can access the ocean from Orlando in about the same amount of time as Tampa

I don't think this argument has a leg to stand on. Tampa is closer to the Gulf of Mexico then Orlando is to the Atlantic. This should be plainly obvious to everyone.

With regards to the amounts of projects, there is no real personal sense of urgency to justify my position. I have had the good fortune of choosing a career path that allows me to build highrises all over Florida. From an unbiased standpoint the fact is, that as the wave of development progresses the Orlando market is proving itself the more stable and viable area for high impact development within the loose definition of "downtown". Obviously this hasn't always been the case, keep in mind that until now Orlando has found itself in the position of the perverbial underdog. It has always been a game of catch up.

I never doubted that Orlando has more projects then Tampa as I don't claim to follow whats happening in the Orlando market. My response to your original post was with regards to the Lake Eola comment. I do find it interesting that you make subjective comments like "the Orlando market is proving itself the more stable and viable area for high impact development" then claim your position is unbiased while simultaneously not providing any factual information to back up your claim. I suppose we are supposed to take your unbiased opinion as fact because of your fortunate career path.

Okay, back on the friggin topic...

So The Slade is going to be built on the location they have their sales facility at, huh? I wondered what might happen to the old Jazz Lofts.
Whatever we might think about Con-Agra (count me among the people who don't for a minute think they're moving without big incentives), the city needs to find the cash to pick up some empty property in Channelside for a park, a largish one. It's only going to get tougher and much as I love all the development down there (and want to buy something there) they NEED a park. Now.

And on yet a third topic, the Trib article a couple weeks ago and the TDP both seem to indicate that "Seaport Channelside" is under construction and due to be completed later this year.
I ride by that site every Sunday morning. There's just nothing going on, nothing at all. It's not even like anybody's preparing for anything to start going on. Has anybody heard any actual facts about this development? The website's dead.

Well, I have seen some earth moving stuff on the site every now and then, but I too do not udnerstand people saying construction started unless they have little gnomes digging tunnels to put tiny gnome caissons. Of course, this being Tampa, you never know.

All I have to say is WOW!!

I drove down Bayshore with this conversation in mind and counted 287 people accessing the bay along this city of Tampa park.

You should have counted yourself, you would have had 288 :okay:

When it comes to projects in the Channel District, the kiss of death is to name your development starting with the word "sea." Case in point:

* Seaboard Square - sales were weak, sold to Sembler, no new development news, website reduced to one announcement page for months
* Seaport Channelside - this was reported in the papers it seems a couple years ago, some demo, some dirt moved but little else, website non-functional

It's an interesting contrast to the Novare folks, who seem to operate under the philosophy that 'time if of the essence.' I wouldn't be surprised one bit to see both new Novare towers downtown going vertical before either of the above developments puts in their first caisson.

By the way, The Slade now has a new interactive website - www.thesladeatchannelside.com.

When it comes to projects in the Channel District, the kiss of death is to name your development starting with the word "sea." Case in point:

* Seaboard Square - sales were weak, sold to Sembler, no new development news, website reduced to one announcement page for months
* Seaport Channelside - this was reported in the papers it seems a couple years ago, some demo, some dirt moved but little else, website non-functional

It's an interesting contrast to the Novare folks, who seem to operate under the philosophy that 'time if of the essence.' I wouldn't be surprised one bit to see both new Novare towers downtown going vertical before either of the above developments puts in their first caisson.

By the way, The Slade now has a new interactive website - www.thesladeatchannelside.com.

Seaboard square got axed because the cost of building the project in DD was way higher than what the owner was willing to spend. The budget was all fucked up plus it was being priced out after the hurricanes last year. Materials started going into allocation, anything you could buy was so overinflated that the owner knew he was getting taken to the cleaners. I have no doubt that project would go today.

Seaboard square land and development rights are now owned by the Sembler Corp - which has the juice to either hang till market suits their needs or go when they like.

Any pics of the site right now?????

It has to be approaching 10 stories by now..

12...000th floor

Channel District plan: condos, hotel
A development company will meet with neighborhood leaders to discuss its plans.
By JANET ZINK, Times Staff Writer
Published May 13, 2006

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


TAMPA - A Sarasota developer wants to build a 23-story condominium tower and 11-story hotel in the Channel District.

Finergy LLC will meet with neighborhood leaders Wednesday to review the project, which includes 256 condos, 110 hotel rooms and 57,000 square feet of retail space on Kennedy Boulevard between 11th and 12th streets. Finergy, a French company that opened offices in Sarasota in 1999, paid $7-million for the 2-acre site in March. The Channel District project marks its entry into the Tampa market.

Eric Collin, vice president of development for Finergy, said the company will file papers to rezone the property later this month.

Plans call for designating about 10 percent of the units for a lease-to-own program to help young professionals buy units at market rate. A cap on resale prices would discourage investors.

Finergy hasn't set prices for the project yet, but most condos in the Channel District or planned for the area are priced above $300,000.

The company revealed plans to build a hotel in the Channel District last summer.

"We looked at the hotel market and the absolute lack of rooms in that area and how successful the Ybor City and downtown hotels are and saw the potential for something good in Channel District," Collin said.

Finergy added the condo tower to the plans late last year.

"We were able to secure additional land, and the dimensions of the project changed as we got more and more involved in the Channel District," Collin said.

[Last modified May 13, 2006, 02:30:25]
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/05/13/Hillsborough/Channel_District_plan.shtml

I remeber a little while back this project was jsut a planned 8 story hotel. Kennedy is going to have a nice canyon in the Channeldistrict in a few years, especially if this projecr gets built. You'll have..

Grand Central- 12 and 14 floors
Ventana- 11 and 11 floors
Martin- 22 floors
Finergy- 23 and 11 floors
Slade- 8 stories
Telecognvergence Tower- 45 stories

All of this on Kennedy or just North of Kennedy in the Channeldistrct.

Don't forget the Place Phase II (33 floors?). Yah, Channelside will be rockin'.

I'm going to the meeting Wednesday night when Finergy gives their presentation, so I'll add anything interesting that wasn't included in the article.

This is what they have from their website....

Mixed-use Channelside Project, Downtown Tampa, Florida

This project will be built on a 2 acre site located on Kennedy Boulevard on the North Section of the Channelside District in Downtown Tampa.

Conceptual plans are for a 24-story building, 212 residential condo units, 44,000 sf of commercial and retail space and a 120-room upscale hotel. Preliminary design proposes 2 public parks, large sidewalk and and attaianble housing program that will make the project part of the vibrant neighborhood.

Urban Studio Architect and Wilson Miller Engineering are part of the development team.

Project is currently under conceptual planning and City of Tampa review.

http://www.finergygroup.com/under_dev.asp

^^Sounds like a very urban project. Thosr parks will be very small if its only a 2 acre site and there are two parks plus the towers, unless thats an error and the 11 story tower replaced the parks.

Orlandonative, is there a list anywhere of all the Orlando projects with renderings?

Go here...


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/broadband/orl-downtowndevelopmentmap,0,3903966.htmlstory?coll=orl-multimedia-multimedia

Go here...


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/broadband/orl-downtowndevelopmentmap,0,3903966.htmlstory?coll=orl-multimedia-multimedia
Not a bad line up at all.

I wish the Trib would do one of these for Tampa....

Maxim, I agree, St. Pete Times has a descent map of their city a s well, and I feel we probably might have more projects going on. It would be nice to see Tampa have a new website to look at our future skyline.

I am working on a future skyline of Tampa as we speak.

I am working on a future skyline of Tampa as we speak.

Any idea of when you'll be done? I have a future skyline rendering that i drew on paper and it looks sweet, but its already outdated because of new projects.

^^Sounds like a very urban project. Thosr parks will be very small if its only a 2 acre site and there are two parks plus the towers, unless thats an error and the 11 story tower replaced the parks.
Any land near it can also be where the parks will be.

Sounds like an awesome project, just need the renders to see it. Another future masterpiece for the Tampa Bay Skyline.

Go here...


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/broadband/orl-downtowndevelopmentmap,0,3903966.htmlstory?coll=orl-multimedia-multimedia

And you think Tampa has height restrictions, please Orlando still looks like a little city with those buildings..

At least Tampa is going to have some pretty good height when all of it's building's get built..

To bad OIA is in the path of your downtown..

I think when all that is done, Otown will be quite nice - hopefully the plainly obvious clusters will be linked by some good walking streets. IF so, it will be a nice place to live work and hang. The height issue is secondary.

And you think Tampa has height restrictions, please Orlando still looks like a little city with those buildings..

At least Tampa is going to have some pretty good height when all of it's building's get built..

To bad OIA is in the path of your downtown..

While I agree that it's unfortunate that Orlando has what appears as severe height restrictions, I think the infill "tower" projects will create a marked difference to their skyline. I'm sure most Orlando "urbanites" would love to have towers soaring above 600ft; unfortunately, the FAA has the last call. :)

Does anyone have pics of the TOC ...CURRENT ONES..

No pictures, but I was on the 6th floor of the garage tonight goofing around with friends and noted that the tower closest to DT was on the 7/8 floor, the pool area in the center was still at the foundation level (they were inserting the piers or whatever... I'm no engineer :P) and finally the tallest tower was on the 11th floor. Moving quick.

Oh, and I think Grand Center's East Tower might be topped out... Seems pretty close, anyway. Nice building, btw.

The Place is also rising quite quickly. Didn't get a floor count but I would guess 6-8. Where does the second phase sit? Is there a warehouse on that lot now?

... and one more update on Ventana - looking good. Three stories finished above the central pool deck.

Where does the second phase sit? Is there a warehouse on that lot now?



The second phase is at the North Eastern 1/6 of the lot. Thanks for the update :)

I rarely get to go by downtown. But I drove by it on 275 and I was impressed by what you are able to start and see around channelside from 275. This is going to look pretty cool once it's all completed.

When you drive south on Meridian, you can appreciate what a large project this is. I certainly hope there are plans in the works for sidewalks on the west side of Channelside Dr. The area doesn't appear too pedestrian friendly at this point.

I am going to be going downtown, does any one want me to take any specific pictures?

I am going to be going downtown, does any one want me to take any specific pictures?
If you can, get some pics of Skypoint and then some pics of many Channleside projects and if you can, get some pics of the land where they will be building the Tampa Tower, although there is nothing there yet. Thanks

I am going to be going downtown, does any one want me to take any specific pictures?

Also, if you could, take a picture of the downtown model at Tampa 360 at the Channelside shops. Its added some new projects and would give us an idea on how the skyline will look. Thanks.

Also, if you could, take a picture of the downtown model at Tampa 360 at the Channelside shops. Its added some new projects and would give us an idea on how the skyline will look. Thanks.

When I walked by tonight (I was down there *again*... might be getting a job at Cside) I couldn't see the model. Do you have to walk inside to see it now? Before it was right by the window.

I was over there and like a jackass did not even think to look at it. The last time I saw it, all they had was Skypoint. I had to post my pictures from my romp around downtown on another site, because I did not want to figure out the code.

http://discovertampasfuture.blogspot.com/2006/05/construction-photos.html

This is my site. I will update it often.

Great shots TM21! Do you share my concern about the lack of sidewalks on the east side of Channelside drive? I certainly hope there are some plans for some sidewalks and TREEs, it(east Channelsdie Dr) looks very bland right now,

St. Pete kicks their ass in people -- not business. Also, downtown is the epitome of priced-out florida... You have all the haves inside downtown while the have nots are just west of the Trop.

'Course you can say the Have Nots also live in Central Park in Tampa... But it's not as big a swath of low income, high-racial tension area of Midtown in St. Petersburg.

Not meaning to reopen an old discussion, but what about West Tampa, Tampa Heights, and East Tampa just north of Ybor? Tampa is no better. It's just a couple people in St. Pete making noise and inciting emotional reactions.

Ok. Back to the topic. :)

Nice shots, tampamobster21! Channelside is really coming along. :okay:

TallTampa I do share your concern as to the lack of tree-lined street. Also, I agree with the lack of sidewalks.

As these buildings are being completed ,the landscaping will make these buildings..

And I'm sure the city will do it's part.. At least I hope so..

I dunno, look at Meridian. Nice Palm trees. *rolls eyes* And they aren't even the expensive ones... they're those cheap ones which will actually have some green on top in a year or two. Bah. I'm too cynical for a 16 year old :(

So, has anyone been on the Crosstown lately to see the construction? The Grand Central project is going to be pretty damn huge when it's done... Especially if the 3rd tower is actually built.

There is/was a third tower? I thought that the project was only going to be one 14-story and a 12-story. Or are you talking about The Martin.

The third tower is the Martin. The two towers going up right now is "grand central". The east tower is starting it's 12th (and final) floor, so vertical construction should be complete within the next couple weeks.

I know about Grand Central at Kennedy, I have my own website.

You should have seen the cranes working at the Place today. Wow. The first phase is only 8 floors, so it should be topped out I think. It's nice working in Channelside - get to see the projects each day. I'm very surprised to see workers on a holiday saturday.

Sorry about my previous comment, but I should have said I have my own site, would you like to see my construction photos.

Hey, is there any news on the Newks tower? They were supposed to begin work on it after the hockey season ended for the Lightning.

I heard from a bird that Newk's is closing in a few weeks. I guess they will start then. Have they started sales on it? Also, is there a model for it or a rendering?

There is a rendering and I have heard nothing of sales - which does not mean there weren't any, but it would be odd.

I am quite sure Novare started to clear the site before they started selling. So, I think the people for Newk's could possibly be doing the same thing.

Thanks tampamobster21, and yes Smiley it would be odd especially since their pricepoint ($400,000-$4 million) is much higher then Novare's. I hope this project gets built becasue the renderings look nice, and i need another tower to start going up.

Hey I found the website with all 4 Plaza renderings....

http://www.simdag.com/future_projects/plaza_channelside/photos.shtml

Edit- Link is now fixed

They can always make a twin across the street or is that already owned for a tower?

I don't think I've seen the rendering for Newks. Is there a link for it?

Has the plaza been approved yet? If so, when is construction supposed to start?

The Plaza referred to a couple of posts ago is the tower they're planning to build where Newk's stands.

oook. Thanks for clearing that up.

Are they going to incorporate the Newks building into the design.

Are they going to incorporate the Newks building into the design.
No, but Newks will apparently move into the ground floor of the building when it is completed.

No, but Newks will apparently move into the ground floor of the building when it is completed.

:cheers:

That sucks! I love the layout of Newk's. I like the outside patio/ porch.

That sucks! I love the layout of Newk's. I like the outside patio/ porch.

Its possible Newks will have an outside portion when its in the tower we just don't know yet. It could turn out to be kinda like Hooters in Channelside.

I would hope so, because I love the scraper and I am happy that Newk's will be in it.

Channelside's starting to look good from the crosstown... :)

Channelside will be rivaling other neighborhoods in this area as far as number of people in a small area when all of the projects are all built.

I received an update letter from Grand Central, today. Basically, it stated that the east building is now topped out (12 floors), and they are still on schedule to begin allowing people to move in to the East Building by the end of this year and continuing into the first quarter of 2007.

What about the western portion of Grand Central?

What about the western portion of Grand Central?

It's U/C on the 3rd or 4th floor right now.

Channelside will be the premier urban neighborhood in the Tampa Bay Area I think in a few years, closely rivaled by DT St. Pete. Channelside's location is so centrally located when you talk about living as long as they get a grocery store or two.

The west building isn't far enough long to project move in dates. (They said more detailed information will be forthcoming.) They did state, however, that the the structural completion of the 14th level is scheduled for this fall.

Cool. So, I know it is a different subject, but has there been any news on The Martin?

Cool. So, I know it is a different subject, but has there been any news on The Martin?

I think it's in sales and is supposed to begin construction by the end of the year, probaly when building two of Grand Central tops out.

I hope it starts before the 2nd GC tops out, because I feel that if it waits until the CG complex is built then The Martin will not get built.

MObster - not sure what you mean - but here is an explanation. Teh developer wants/needs to have a certain level of sales to secure financing for the construction. GC reached that level a long time ago with a wait list. The topping off of GC has nothing to do with the same developer building the martin - which has an independent requirement of minimum sales necessary to secure financing. One has little to nothing to do with the other

^Besides, the West building's structure has to be completed before the Martin can start due to construction staging anyways... The city would not nor could not allow the general contractor to shut down parts of both Kennedy and Twiggs. Traffic has been impacted enough due to GC's construction.

Ok I did not know that. I thought that they were by the same developer because they were on the same site.

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