Let the stampede begin...

Haven't they already had their first lottery drawing?

From what I understood, the 1st of 2 lotteries has been drawn but those people don't purchase until today. I could be wrong. Interesting approach to sales, though. I guess they don't want to rush people. Who knows.

In other words, they start closing on the reserved units today... So hopefully, construction will begin within 60-90 days.

Must be some hot property!

I don't think they took reservations. Straight to sales from a lottery. I may go check it out and see if I can find out how sales are going.

^There is always some sort of reservation thing (the 'lottery' in thier case) and then the actual day when closing begins on the sales.

In other words, they start closing on the reserved units today... So hopefully, construction will begin within 60-90 days.
Jason :) , I wish that was the case here in Miami, but for some reason, just like one of the three, 60 story Brickell Icon condo towers sold out here in two days, but we here all know here in Miami, that the real construction won't actually start for at least 6 to 9 months, why is that ??? :cheers:

They started holding floorplans on Thursday and Friday, and this coming Monday, Tuesday for the lottery winners. They are locking in the prices but will finish the contracts at a later date. This property is pretty hot! I was within the first 5 to take a pick. I am pretty excited.

Oh by the way. Tampa & the D.O.T. still hasn't resolved the balcony issue for the outermost unit (Unit 16) on Tampa St. They are in fact moving forward with the Cafe's. But I think there is a possibility that the most inexpensive unit gets a little extra break in price if they do need to exclude the balcony. That would make it only the 2nd unit available without offering a balcony, I believe. So starting prices could go down if this isn't resolved.

The lottery isn't done yet. People will be getting phone calls between now an July. There are lots of winners who do not come up with a sufficient down payment.

If you don't mind me asking, which floorplan did you choose? Also, were the prices in line with what they were telling people? (Most units under $200k)




Oh by the way. Tampa & the D.O.T. still hasn't resolved the balcony issue for the outermost unit (Unit 16) on Tampa St. They are in fact moving forward with the Cafe's. But I think there is a possibility that the most inexpensive unit gets a little extra break in price if they do need to exclude the balcony. That would make it only the 2nd unit available without offering a balcony, I believe. So starting prices could go down if this isn't resolved.

The lottery isn't done yet. People will be getting phone calls between now an July. There are lots of winners who do not come up with a sufficient down payment.

From info I got, most units were not under $200k. Maybe 20% of the units were, if that.

If you don't mind me asking, which floorplan did you choose? Also, were the prices in line with what they were telling people? (Most units under $200k)

I got unit 15 the 2 bedroom. Every floorplan has a major flaw. Unit 15 had the flaws I could most live with and within the price range I wanted. They start at $282,000.00. That is the most affordable 2 bedroom. There was only 2 units priced under $200,000.00. I believe unit 16 was one of them. Most of the 1 bdrms were priced between 218,000.00 to 280,000 including the sky collection (25-32 flr)

For Tampa that's a pretty good price to pay for a unit the size you got.

Every floorplan has a major flaw.


Just about every floor plan in every tower I've seen had a major flaw IMO... Most egregious to me were the loft style projects, which all seemed to feature amazing wastes of floor area as thier selling point.

Just about every floor plan in every tower I've seen had a major flaw IMO... Most egregious to me were the loft style projects, which all seemed to feature amazing wastes of floor area as thier selling point.

When I say flaw, I mean how one plan put the laundry room inside a walk-in closet. Another has the bar so close to the small family rm, there is no where to put stools. Another plan has a fat column right in a path of a corridor from the entry. Some have next to no closet space, and some put the SGD to the balcony smack through where the furniture wants to be for the family rm. Most plans do not have a feasable location for a nook table.

Unit 15's flaws are that it doesn't have a bar or a pantry. But it as a great location for a round table and a good location of the family rm.

I can't help it, I am picky. I did look at some of the other projects. I found the plans for the Residence on Franklin Street and Victory lofts to have pretty neat floor plans. Residence on Franklin only has a Spa on the roof instead of a pool, so thats a bummer. I really felt that the floor plans for Skypoint are the weakest layouts. But then a gain, they are in a great location with the best prices for a high rise.

The Franklin Residences is one of the ones that bothered me greatly. I looked closely at the floor plans for it (and the Arts Center Lofts), as my parents were looking at buying a unit with me, or on thier own... If we/them had bought in either place, it was determined that a significant gutting of the interior would have to be done to rework the floorplan and make it livable and efficient... And niether developer was interested in selling a shell unit at a lower price, so we/them bought nowhere.

The core problem that I see with so many of them is that a great deal of living area must be sacrificed to circulation needs. That is, as you have said yourself, many units have doors and windows in locations which result in there being nowhere to put furniture. (unless one is to create an "island' living space away from the walls, with the perimeter serving as the main circulation, but this quickly shrinks 20x20 rooms to be 12x12, defeating the entire purpose of spending $500k+ to get a 2,000 sqft unit.

The Franklin Residences is one of the ones that bothered me greatly. I looked closely at the floor plans for it (and the Arts Center Lofts), as my parents were looking at buying a unit with me, or on thier own... If we/them had bought in either place, it was determined that a significant gutting of the interior would have to be done to rework the floorplan and make it livable and efficient... And niether developer was interested in selling a shell unit at a lower price, so we/them bought nowhere.

The core problem that I see with so many of them is that a great deal of living area must be sacrificed to circulation needs. That is, as you have said yourself, many units have doors and windows in locations which result in there being nowhere to put furniture. (unless one is to create an "island' living space away from the walls, with the perimeter serving as the main circulation, but this quickly shrinks 20x20 rooms to be 12x12, defeating the entire purpose of spending $500k+ to get a 2,000 sqft unit.

Jason, did you look at the Towers @ Channelside?
They have decent layouts with balconies (terrace) that can fit more than a hammock and a table.

The Place @ Channelside also offers some pretty creative floorplans that somehow work well. Although they say 95% are sold already.

I chose Skypoint because I still hold on to the dream of being able to walk around downtown and get everything I need by foot. I really want a developed downtown and to be part of it. We'll see.

I only looked at the cheaper DT places (ok, cheapest;))... But more importantly, I generally gave up looking ever since my g/f took a good job in DT Sarasota, and I can't afford a $250k+ place on my own (I'm still in school). Because of that, the odds of me being in Tampa this time next year are like 25%, if that.

I found it.....

http://media.tbo.com/photos/trib/2005/feb/0216sky2.jpg

^Found what? We've had that rendering posted for months.

Oh, and according to the ST Pete Times, groundbreaking will be June 14th.

^Found what? We've had that rendering posted for months.

I just found pic of SkyPoint.

Ah....sorry, Jasonhouse, u have been posted this pic in Tampa Development thread. I don't know if this pic is rare to find it.

I log onto www.TECOCAM.com every now and then. You can point it right on the Skypoint site to see how their progress. I love how you zoom and turn the camera. I have a glimpse at what my view will look like.

June 14th - excellent - the lot is clear, so they should get moving.

Jason, any chance you can re-name this thread as the official Skypoint thread?

Talked to them today - they already started construction, just not official groundbreaking.

Is it coincedence that TECOcam has been down THIS WEEK?

I wish they can tell the public how high it will be in measurement.

^Skypoint?

I know I heard it somewhere... I know it will be just above 400', but forget the exact number.

I calculated that it might be a bit over 400' but I have never seen the actual height

Someone should just call them and ask...404-815-1234

Nothing new, but the annoucement of the "official" groundbreaking.

Tampa Bay Business Journal - 2:45 PM EDT Thursday
Tampa highrise condo makes it official: `we're out of the ground'

SkyPoint, a planned downtown Tampa's highrise condominium, is scheduled to break ground in a ceremony June 14 presided on by Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio.

Novare-Intown Tampa Development, LLC is developing SkyPoint.

Construction by general contractor R.J. Griffin is underway, a release said.

Occupancy is slated for late 2006.

The 32-story, 380-unit building at 777 Ashley Drive will feature one-and two-bedroom units with prices starting in the $170s to the $400s. The building will contain one- and two-bedroom units with amenities that include floor-to-ceiling glass, balconies, 10-foot ceilings, kitchens with granite and stainless steel, and high-tech features such as high speed Internet and pre-wiring for electronics and satellite television.

More than 10,000 square feet of street-level retail is proposed.

Novare Group is a private real estate development and investment company based in Atlanta and founded in 1992. The company has a history of development in both the office and residential sectors. Novare concentrates on the development of high-rise, mixed-use condominiums and is an active real estate developer in the Southeast, with more than 3,500 condominium units in development, a release said.

Intowngroup is a Tampa-based real estate development team focused on creating sustainable, walkable, urban infill projects in the southeastern United States. Intowngroup is currently involved in several other downtown Tampa urban infill projects.

http://tampabay.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2005/06/06/daily37.html?jst=b_ln_hl

10' ceilings so 11 or 12 foot floors, depending - that is 350' to 380'. lobby will probably be a bit bigger, parkign a bit smaller - balance. Then that thing on top . . . so about 400'

They are already breaking ground today. I saw them pulling dirt with the bucket this afternoon in the rain. Their construction trailors are already in. Its nice to see.

$170,000 as a starting point for condos is pretty good. I haven't seen prices like that here in Sarasota in months.

very nice.

nevermind. didn't work.

What didn't work?

Tecocam.com is working

I took a construction still...

http://photos.stonegauge.com/albums/userpics/10001/skypoint.jpg

Tecocam.com is working

I took a construction still...

http://photos.stonegauge.com/albums/userpics/10001/skypoint.jpg

Thats exactly what didn't work!

It reverted back to a photo of Hixon park so I cancelled it. I didn't upload it to a photo service. I was too lazy.

Wow, if this camera works throughout the whole project, I might need some popcorn. I think it would be lots of pressure on the workers knowing a nitpicker like me is watching.

They are setting up a tent for the official start to construction:

http://photos.stonegauge.com/albums/userpics/10001/skypoint001.jpg

Nice hole. (Then she slapped me)

Is that the foundation structure? :jk: :runaway:

So I was at Channelside and I noticed that big Downtown 360 display. I just happened to see that they have Skypoint in the model. Now, of course it is a model, but it looks relative to scale overall. IF so, Skypoint will be about as tall as 400 N. Ashley - in any event, as long as it is close to scale, it should be over 400'

Thanks for the post. Where is that model located?

Are you refering to that model that is inside channelside on the ground floor Smiley?

Thanks for the post. Where is that model located?

If memory serves, it's on the outside of the Shops at Channelside, between the tunnel into the Shops courtyard, and where the Shops ends for the Port terminal and Aquarium.

I've seen it through the window at night a few times (when going down there), but I've never been during the day when you can actually go inside, and see the model up close.

Guys, I may be wrong, but I think it's by appointment only, and usually for groups. I've stopped by a couple times over my lunch hour, as I live only a couple blocks away, and the doors were locked.

Here's the link if anyone is interested - http://www.tampasdowntown.com/redevel.htm

Yea, it's by appiointment only, but you can see the model damn well from outside and the model has Skypoint about as tall as 400 N. Ashley. Now that is not exact science, but I assum they got the scale from somewhere better than we have been able to get so far.

From the Tecocam shot, the land for the Skypoint condos looks to small for the actual building.

I got a sweet shot of this hole in the ground from the top of 400 N Ashley (yes, the roof)... I also took some other pics, but only with the camera on my phone, which I don't know how to d/l from. (I just recently got it). When I do, I will post them.

Any type of pictures will be fine, cell phone or digital camera.

I think I have to buy a damn $25 USB cable, or e-mail them to myself at like $.20 a pop (I took about 15 pics)... Cell phones are such a scam.

Jason, does your phone allow you to send them to an E-mail address?

just email them to youself at your email - shouldn't cost too much, if anything.

Photos of the boom as it is getting trucked in. They are now erecting the crane.


http://img133.echo.cx/img133/5052/skypoint11qs.jpg

http://img133.echo.cx/img133/3922/skypoint27aj.jpg

http://img133.echo.cx/img133/3918/skypoint34es.jpg

These guys don't mess around, do they ?

Yea, but that's not the REAL crane - we'll get that in a few months.

When all the cranes are up for all the projects, it will give people a positive outlook on where downtown Tampa is heading. If only we can see this kind of progress on the riverwalk (not intended to be a segway to a riverwalk discussion).

^segue

^segue

Gee sorry, I was thinking of Dean Kamen when I typed that.

Probably just the pile driver.

^I expect caissons, which means look for a 'drill bit' about 3-4ft wide to show up soon if I'm right.

I thought we already agreed to call them "Freedom Columns" from now on? :P j/k

and don't forget to call french fries freedom fries too

You need to keep up with the news, man:

Posted on Sun, Jun. 19, 2005
GOP congressman urges withdrawal

By Marcia Davis

WASHINGTON POST


WASHINGTON - It started at a military funeral about two years ago, this heartache that Republican Walter Jones says has gripped him and won't let go.

It's the kind of pain that gnaws and prods. So much so that it pushed the North Carolina congressman to begin writing to other families of dead servicemen and servicewomen. (He's up to at least 1,300.)

And to collect pictures of the fallen. (There are rows of posters bearing them outside his Capitol Hill office.)

And last week, that heartache pushed him to stand in the House press gallery with three colleagues, including two Democrats, and call for President Bush to set up a plan to begin withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq by October 2006.

"What we all agree on is that it is time for a public discussion of our goals and the future of our military involvement in Iraq," Jones, 62, told the reporters packed shoulder to shoulder to witness this bipartisan effort on Thursday.

There he was, a proudly conservative Republican co-sponsoring a resolution with Reps. Ron Paul, R-Texas; Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii; and Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio.

You know Kucinich, that hard-core anti-war Democrat who ran for president.

You know Jones, too. If not his name, then certainly his freedom fries. He's the guy largely responsible for the rechristening of the House cafeteria fries, so angry was he a few years back that the French wouldn't get with the Iraq war program.

But heartache has a way of changing a man's mind. And Jones, a man of deep Catholic faith, talks openly about listening to his heart.

It's time now, Jones says, "to take a fresh look at where we are and where we are going," not to focus on the past, on those silly fries or even those serious and now unfounded stories about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.

Too many lives have been lost, too many people have been wounded. He spent much of Thursday quoting the numbers over and over -- 1,700 dead, 12,000 wounded.

"I just believe that we have done as much as we can do in Iraq," he says, an intensity in his voice as he repeatedly outlined his argument about why he has broken ranks with his party.

We've toppled Saddam Hussein, he says. We've put Iraq on the road to democracy. And we've trained its military. "What else should our goals be?"

Calls from his constituents have been running about 50-50, says the congressman, who has three military bases in his district, including Camp Lejeune.

Jones' stance, though, is not popular among members of his party. Robin Hayes, a fellow North Carolina Republican and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, told him he was just flat wrong, Hayes said.

"It's ill-timed, poorly thought out," says Hayes, who took a trip to Iraq in May.

And embattled House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who's got a lot of other things on his mind these days, issued a statement: "I think setting a time schedule for withdrawal from Iraq undermines our efforts to fight the war on terror. Why would you give your enemies a timetable? It never has worked; it won't work. We are fighting this war on terror to win."

Jones says he believes other Republicans will swing his way down the line; others, he says, who have privately told him as much.

"If doing what's right means I don't return to Congress, then it's God's will," he says. "And God knows my heart."

He's the son of Walter Jones Sr., a well-respected Democrat who served nearly 30 years in the House representing North Carolina. His son ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat and then switched parties, winning office with the Newt Gingrich revolution.

He has been in Congress for 11 years now, and in all that time, this has been one of the most intense weeks.

There has been quite a bit of media attention for someone who describes himself as a nobody on Capitol Hill. That description is rooted in humility, he says. "I'm just a foot soldier."

Still, the week started with an interview Sunday on ABC's "This Week" with George Stephanopoulos, who flew down to North Carolina to see Jones.

"He's a very nice person," Jones says of Stephanopoulos. "He said, 'I remember your father. He was a very nice man.' And that was kind of him to do."

"He's not normally as high-profile," says press aide Kristen Quigley. "He never seeks out media attention and he's not now, but it's the nature of the issue that's drawing attention."

And the issue, Jones says, is all he cares about.

He is exceptionally polite through all the questions, repeating himself often, thanking each person he encounters, including the peace activists from Code Pink who catch him for a few words, despite the best efforts of Jones' aides to run interference.

Jones has made it clear that he remains supportive of keeping the troops in Afghanistan. He's nowhere near becoming a peace activist, just a man who believes he's following his conscience, the way his father taught him.

He worries that the U.S. military is overextended, that our borders are in danger and that there are so many other countries to worry about, from North Korea's nuclear ambitions to China's growing economic power.

The first step, he says, is coming home from Iraq.

It compels him to sign those letters and make those calls to the families, and sometimes to simply break down in tears.

Doing a TV interview, he makes sure to position himself in front of a picture of a 6-year-old boy at the funeral of his father, who was killed in Iraq. The boy clings to the folded flag from his father's coffin.

The posters of the dead, each with rows of small snapshots, line the fourth-floor corridor leading to Jones' office.

He asked his colleagues to each take a poster after the building superintendents complained about access in the hallway. As he walks down the hall, he points out visitors who have stopped to look at the faces.

"You see that?" he says. "I wanted people to remember that somebody has given their life each and every day for this country. These people who have given their lives, somebody is looking at them and remembering that people are dying."
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/politics/11933894.htm

Calling French fries "freedom fries" definitely doesn't carry the same weight it did 2 years ago. Onward with Skypoint!

I finally got the server thing figured out, so now I can upload pics again...

Here's a few pics from the roof of the Collonade (beer can bldg) I was talking about from last week.

I totally screwed up, and took them in the wrong resoution (first pics I ever took with my phone's camera). They're uselessly small, so here are just three of them.

Skypoint hole
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/8Collonade_roof_Skypoint.jpg

TTT (near bridge) and riverwalk/park segment (right of 100 N Tampa))
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/8Collonade_roof_TTT.jpg

Looking west above UT at night
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/8Collonade_roof_west_night.jpg

I fully intend to take some decent pics from there some other time, perhaps this week.

They still look pretty good.

I took more pics from the top of 400 N Ashley yesterday... Will post them soon.

Looks like TTT is starting to move. :)

skypoint appears to be in an excellent location and should be a great addition.

I took more pics from the top of 400 N Ashley yesterday... Will post them soon.
Hope the people in Skypoitnt are careful walking or jogging through the streets of DT. It's not very pedestrian-friendly and I hope nobody gets hurt.

Hope the people in Skypoitnt are careful walking or jogging through the streets of DT. It's not very pedestrian-friendly and I hope nobody gets hurt.

Full of spit-and-vinegar, aren't you ?

^???

He has a point. Skypoint is hemmed in by Ashley Blvd and Tampa St, niether of which are fun to cross on foot.

Spit-and-Balsamic Vinegar then ? No, just the impression I got in reading through a succession of Robbie's posts. No biggie. I'm okay with vinegar.

I think there is an effort underway to make DT Tampa streets more pedestrian-friendly. The city recognizes the this will be needed in order to have the type of active DT scene they're hoping for, as well as improve our dismal ratings as one of the most pedestrian-UNfriendly cities in the US.

I've read that several cross streets (Cass, Twiggs, Zack, etc.) will be turned into two-ways as a first step. Although the details are sketchy, I believe they have plans for making Ashley more ped-friendly as well. Obviously, Tampa and Florida are practically highways, and those will need to be addressed eventually.

I know to many this is "too little, too late," but at least they are steps in the right direction IMO.

DT Tampa most definitely needs to fix its pedestrian problem. Trying to walk to the SP Times Forum last year during the hockey playoffs was not a fun experiance.

I think there is an effort underway to make DT Tampa streets more pedestrian-friendly. The city recognizes the this will be needed in order to have the type of active DT scene they're hoping for, as well as improve our dismal ratings as one of the most pedestrian-UNfriendly cities in the US.

I've read that several cross streets (Cass, Twiggs, Zack, etc.) will be turned into two-ways as a first step. Although the details are sketchy, I believe they have plans for making Ashley more ped-friendly as well. Obviously, Tampa and Florida are practically highways, and those will need to be addressed eventually.

I know to many this is "too little, too late," but at least they are steps in the right direction IMO.

Isn't Ashley considered a highway ?

Ashley does need to be toned down a bit.

Ashley is silly, but if you wait for the light, Tampa is no big deal. We're not talking Dale Mabry or anything. Every city has streets like that - the only difference is that so few people walk across the ones in Tampa is seems like an adventure. That will change.

Personally, I hope that they don't mess with Tampa St or Florida Ave that much. Ashley Blvd and the E-W streets acan be toned down, but I think it would be a mistake to slow Tampa and Florida down much, if at all.

Spit-and-Balsamic Vinegar then ? No, just the impression I got in reading through a succession of Robbie's posts. No biggie. I'm okay with vinegar.
Actually it was beer. Sorry about that.

I think there is an effort underway to make DT Tampa streets more pedestrian-friendly. The city recognizes the this will be needed in order to have the type of active DT scene they're hoping for, as well as improve our dismal ratings as one of the most pedestrian-UNfriendly cities in the US.

I've read that several cross streets (Cass, Twiggs, Zack, etc.) will be turned into two-ways as a first step. Although the details are sketchy, I believe they have plans for making Ashley more ped-friendly as well. Obviously, Tampa and Florida are practically highways, and those will need to be addressed eventually.

I know to many this is "too little, too late," but at least they are steps in the right direction IMO.
And the diagonal parking sholuld help too but the streets are too narrow and the buildings are already too close to the street.

Actually it was beer. Sorry about that.

I thought it was champagne that made folks feisty. Oh well, maybe that old song was wrong. No worries.

Ashley is silly, but if you wait for the light, Tampa is no big deal. We're not talking Dale Mabry or anything. Every city has streets like that - the only difference is that so few people walk across the ones in Tampa is seems like an adventure. That will change.
Tampa Street....now here's another street that is screaming for help.

well lokie wha thtey have on the Skypoint site right now...

http://photos.stonegauge.com/albums/userpics/10001/normal_rebarb.jpg

Tampa Street....now here's another street that is screaming for help.

Robbie, this is Tampa all roads need help! :bash: :sleepy:

Robbie, this is Tampa all roads need help! :bash: :sleepy:
I wasn't only referring to the street, I meant all the old and decadent buildings. What can be done? Tampa street could also have a lot of potential.

Their is a reddish truck on the skypoint lot. Is that a base for a vertical crane truck?? Go to Tecocam.

edit- i tried posting the picture but i couldn't.

http://12.171.196.37:8010/-wvhttp-02-/GetStillImage?vc_host=localhost&REQUEST_ID=1120236414239

I'll try one more time posting a picture...a little fuzzy but I got it. :cool:

Or maybe not it seems my picture changes with the teco cam because thee picture changed. :dunno:

Florida, I was about to post that on here.

http://12.171.196.37:8010/-wvhttp-02-/GetStillImage?vc_host=localhost&REQUEST_ID=1120236414239

I'll try one more time posting a picture...a little fuzzy but I got it. :cool:

Or maybe not it seems my picture changes with the teco cam because thee picture changed. :dunno:

Hey look, it's everybody's favourite leaf-shaped sidewalk park! http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/images/smilies/leek.gif

LOL - and here I thought we had a still capture formt he supports. I will have to grab one during the day tomorrow, load it to my photo album and then post it here

http://photos.stonegauge.com/albums/userpics/10001/skypoint004.jpg

What exactly is this all about? It's on the sidewalk...?

I guess there is to be some sort of arcade and they want it to be ready when the rest of the building is - or not - It is just bizarre - but it gives a lively feel to the lot before the big cranes get going.

Man, I have no idea what's up with that... It seems to me that whatever it is, it is being cast, and will then be moved. There should be nothing that will be permanantly in the public ROW. You can see it looks like the base of the two columns are tied together by a beam...Maybe it will become part of the base for the tower crane?

Maybe it will become part of the base for the tower crane?

This is most likely right...

Yeah, I started thinking that after Smiley's post. Lets give it another week and we'll probably have our answer.

Yeah I agree.

You know its kind of funny. We don't know how to react to a crane going up or construction beginning. It kind of makes you feel good! :)

If it was a fast food joint getting built, I could tell you all about it. But highrises I'm not quite so knowledgable. I'm an ok guesser though. :)

http://photos.stonegauge.com/albums/userpics/10001/skypoint005.jpg

Still trying to figure out what the hell that is or. I have this idea it's not for a crane but I am wrong hopefully.

http://photos.stonegauge.com/albums/userpics/10001/skypoint006.jpg

Also was curious what this is alla bout -- looks like another concrete casing.

Seeing it uncased and in better light, it looks too wide for a crane to sit on.

I don't understand what two columns with pier footings, connected by a grade beam are going to be used for in a highrise though... I can't see any way in hell that this is the kind of structure the building would be built on, which is why I figured it must have something to do with the crane...

Maybe it's for the pedestal of the building, where it juts out from the tower (retail and parking garage). Since that part is only a few floors tall, I guess they could get away with this kind of thing acting as part of the foundation.

but doing it NOW? And ont eh R.O.W.? That just seems way too friggin' odd.

TecoCam doesn't seem to work for me. All I get is a red X when trying to view it. Any suggestions on how to fix this?

About the columns: They may be for the pedestal/garage, like Jasonhouse said - looking at a rendering, the support columns look kind of small... However, if that was so, there's no room for a sidewalk whatsoever, unless pedestrians were to walk behind the posts, which is kind of weird and kind of unreasonable. I'm no architect, so I have no idea. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

^No... that will be moved for sure. They were doing the same thing at Embassy Suites early on. They poured pieces on the sidewalk and even on Florida Ave, and then would pick them up with the crane and move them somewhere else.

The company I work for uses this technique for some of the light industrial structures we build, though the exact method we use is commonly referred to as "tilt wall". The wall is poured on the ground, and then tilted up into place. But it's all the same... Doing it on site makes transportation easier/cheaper, and doing it on the ground instead of an in-place casting is cheaper and faster.

When I go to work tomorrow morning, I'll show my boss this thread, and see if he knows.

You know those cement colums could be a crane base if the bottom secction of the crane was hollow and didn't have bars going through the middle. Just a thought. :)

There were no bars through the middle on the above post.

They're drilling into the columns now and putting steel bars... Someone else took control of teco cam before I coudl take a still of it.

At this rate, I might swing by there after work tomorrow and just ask someone. This is pissing me off not knowing.

yep those metal bars look wierd.....

you can also use the cam to see the dorms

....but THAT is for another thread ;)

At this rate, I might swing by there after work tomorrow and just ask someone. This is pissing me off not knowing.

Why waste your time doing that?

Hell, we're on a construction forum! You administrate on two of them! Lets just ASK about the damn things in the appropriate forum!.

This image shoudl be the best for reference for the time being:

http://photos.stonegauge.com/albums/userpics/10001/skypoint007.jpg

in my post with two pictures -- that casing that the men are working on is now part of the concrete structure that we are wondeirng about.

And I haven't gotten any explination online with regards to what this is.

It just doesn't make sense to me - why precast so early? It looks like it undoubtedly will be a wall segment with a doorway but why now?

http://photos.stonegauge.com/albums/userpics/10001/skypoint009.jpg

BTW -- also caught a freight train running to the port on this cam (running right next to the site). I was surprised by it. I didn't realize the train shows up durign the day....

Interesting... I wonder why they're constructing this door first. It's weird to think that everything revolves around this door. Perhaps they're going from the outside in - which is also weird... Whatever.

And for some reason I still can't see the Tecocam. It always shows as a red X for me. Any suggestions?

I'm just happy they're moving fast on whatever they're doing. :)

Interesting... I wonder why they're constructing this door first. It's weird to think that everything revolves around this door. Perhaps they're going from the outside in - which is also weird... Whatever.

And for some reason I still can't see the Tecocam. It always shows as a red X for me. Any suggestions?


RE Tecocam, it's gotta be a security setting. I'm having no problems with it but I'm using Mozilla.

You're not the only one who can't view it. I showed the images on another forum talking about Engineering and pointed to the webcam URL and they also were getting the little red X. You're on IE right?

As for the portal -- it makes no sense at all. I mean, seriously - unless it's something they want to place on the site after the foundation is set and before the first floor goes in....?

I found out what they are doing...

They are building a facade mock-up. This is basically one 'standard unit' of the tower's facade... It will include everything the final product will include... It's basically to ensure that everything has been specced correctly and will fit, and the construction process will work and so on... Basically a practice run, so that later on, everything goes quickly without a hitch.... Once they are done with it, they will demolish it.

[edit:oh, and there won't be anything vertical for a while longer]

[edit2: Also, they are installing a progress camera on top of 400 N Ashley, which will take a picture every 15 minutes, and post it to the building's website... The camera is being installed very soon. No word on when they will start posting to the web though]

Thanks Jason

Yeah thanks for the scoop Jasonhouse. A camera on top of 400 ashley would be better because then you could see the whole site. Right now with Tecocam you can't see the side of the lot closest to Teco plaza. :)

Truck on the site -- BIG crane type thing on it... I woudl think it a Concrete pump if there was a concrete truck....

http://photos.stonegauge.com/albums/userpics/10001/skypoint010.jpg

http://photos.stonegauge.com/albums/userpics/10001/skypoint011.jpg

Christ, I need to spend more time on construction sites and stop with makign routine stuff to be huge deals.

Yeah, concrete pump. A concrete mixer is on site now and they are working on that mock-up-wall segment

I thought that white truck was a spider when I first saw it, it looks wierd.
Maybe the foundation will begin to be poured in soon. :)

I went to skypointcondos.com just for the hell of it just now - to see if anything's change.... I ended up goingt o "Views"....

If you look at the views -- you can see the Teco building's roof (you're looking east) while the actual Skypoint building is going up south of it....

Did Novare have another potential site for Skypoint they might have lave been close to using before settling on the garage land?

They will really use that mock up site. The one for spire was constantly being modified (It is right outside my window)

starbuc jupiter, what can you tell us about Novare's projects. Are they nice buildings and stuff?

Hey FF, I can tell you a little about them, as I've been to the Metropolis (or Metropolitan?) on Peachtree in Atlanta and it's pretty nice. Very contemporary lobby, good amount of retail space. Seemed like a quality project. That's why I was excited when they decided to enter the Tampa market.

From what I heard, those units at Metropolis sold very fast. However, I met one of the guys from InTown/Novare at the Channel Dist meeting last month, and he told me that of all the cities they have properties (Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, and Tampa), none of their projects was met with the type of enthusiasm and rapid sales as SkyPoint. I'm sure that's why they're so eager to build another property in the Channel District.

^They also have plans to build another project in DT, just south of where Skypoint is. I think they bought, ro have an option on part of the former Chesapeake Holdings blocks.

^^^^So wait, Novare has 3 projects in Tampa? What is the lot is it? (roads)
Cool. I like Skypoints buildings.

And just a reminder, the Channelside Novare project goes for approval July 21st. :)

I also read that Novare purchased property from Chesapeake.

Remember the (ugly) project that this Chesapeake guy trumpeted with much fanfare along Mayor Greco several years back?

FLHawk, that pink condo on the parkland?

You know, if that is the case -- the land on the park -- it'll explain why they are using a 3D picture taken to the west of the TECO building instead of a 3D rendering from the north of it on their SKypoint site...

^No, that was the Byrd corp, who is now doing DT Channelside.

This was a different project, that was going to have this huge jumbotron on the side of it.

exactly.

New site to monitor Skypoint. This gives you some incremental shots with better resolution than TECO.com.

http://www.oxblue.com/client/rjgcameras/skypoint/

OMG! That is a terrific camera, if u click on the 7th of July on that calender it's zoomed out more and it sows all of northern DT. Awesome! :eek2: :omg:

Thanks leglace. :) :)

Whats that tall thing sticking out of the ground with the 2 cranes around it. Is that a vert crane?

FANTASTIC cam. Thanks! Hae they already drilled in one support on the southeast corner (where the cranes are) or what is that sticking otu fo the mud?

I saw the cam on Saturday. I was DT, and stopped by 400 N Ashley, and went up to the roof... There was the camera. It's one of those long, skinny metal box ones (that won't move)... I guess that guy wasn't BSing last week when he told me they were installing a camera real soon.

Must be tough to to work there knowing there are 2 cameras watching every move. I mean the guys not wearing a helmet could get a call from somebody sitting at home on a day off threatening to call OSHA. :ohno:

That camera's SO COOL! I wish every DT project had one...

jeez... I hope they do this for their Channelside project too.

Foundation work well underway. Large concrete blocks with rebarb sticking out of them -- then the blocks are burried except for the part with the rebarb...

That's the one advantage Tecocam has over the official webcam - you can zoom in close to see exactly what is going on with large scale stuff. You only get to zoom in, in general, on the official cam

Very nice cam. Now everytime I am on Tampa street, I don't have to slow down my vehicle so I can get a quick glimpse at Skypoint. There's always that little box that you can see through. I can avoid potential accidents this way.

Well, if you guys haven't been paying attention to the cam sites - they kicked it into overdrive this week at the Skypoint site.

It's still foundation work but jeez, a lot of equipment and a lot of action during the day

Still just punching holes in the aquifer though... It will probably be another month or two before anything really starts coming out of the ground, which is worth paying attention to.

(same deal for TTT and T&C)

You know, one of the papers had a graphic a week ago or so and had the building at only 350 or so, which seems pretty short. We really need a good number on it.

^360 they said...I remember the article.

Not sure I buy that number. Anyone have anything better.

Well, if you guys haven't been paying attention to the cam sites - they kicked it into overdrive this week at the Skypoint site.

It's still foundation work but jeez, a lot of equipment and a lot of action during the day

Any idea what the many cylindrical-looking concrete things are in the middle of the site? Just curious.

^Caissons... They serve as the building's foundation, tying it into the bedrock below.

A Caisson as they are typically used here in Florida is a tubular cage of steel rebar encased by high strength concrete.

Also known as 'freedom cylinders'. :)

^ahem.... You spelled it wrong...

Freedumb Cylinders

I thought it was freedom (ahem, freedumb) columns?

Damnit, I missed the memo that we were changing names again :P ;)

Anyone been watching the cam today? What are those things that they have laid out next to finished foundation work (upper corner of the site)?

I don't know how many of you are watching the cams, but they've put the rebarb work for the verticle columns in place on one part of the site. They've got a lot of foundation work they are still working on in the middle of the site though.

THey also demolished part of the arch that had me (and others) so confused.

I'm not looking every day, but the whole thing seems a bit odd - part of it seems like big chunks - almost slablike while others seem to be caissons. I just want them to get moving and start rising.

they've had the caisson's and what seems to be happening is they pour the concrete blocks over the caisson's to make one big support block.

The process is wierd indeed but I've never watched a skyscraper be built before in the south - if it works - go to it :p :)

I've been watching. My question is what is that big red pole the black crenes keeps holding for many weeks? :)

Anyone else see the cam today? Looks like this thing is finally getting underway. :)

They've been getting underway for a while now -- you do need a foundation on a building after all....

Yes, there is a vertical element today...

they've had the caisson's and what seems to be happening is they pour the concrete blocks over the caisson's to make one big support block.


That is called a "cap".

Thanks.

I invite you all to go to the skypoint webcam and check out how they are setting up the base of the large crane.

Its macromedia - you should go to www.skypointcondos.com

then go to the views section and click on the webcam

There probably is a shorter way, but I am in a hurry and am not going to look for it right now.

I was just coming here to report this!

http://www.oxblue.com/client/rjgcameras/skypoint/ is the faster way to get to the cam...

I'm surprised - why is the crane going wher eone fo the caps is set to go?

Image from Tecocam:
http://photos.stonegauge.com/albums/userpics/10001/dacrane.jpg

One must assume for stability - so they can get the party started before finishing the entire foundation.

Also of note - tehre is some big yellow contraption at the northeast corner of the TTT lot that looks like it is made to hold something large - I suppose it could be some sort of framing or barricade - anyone who goes by see what you think (I know, wrong spot but my stream of consciouness just flowed)

Any news on Novare's other 25 story project?

Last I heard a few people in the Channelside area were protesting it. Hopefully it will be built.

I believe it goes before City Council this week. And, yes, Channel residents are up in arms. Should be interesting.

skypont appears to just have poured in part of THE foundation. :)

They've been pouring parts of the foundation for a while now -- they started this on the north side of the lot and they've finally capped the cassions they had laid first on the south side of the lot (as well as the first batch of cassions in the middle of the lot, where the crane base currently stands).

I realize it can be looked at that the current caps / foundation is for the center (and tower) of the building but I just wanted to clarify that they've been at it with the foundation for a while.

They're assembling the Crane structure today!!! The Cap dried and now they are stack-stack-stacking the crane tower!

I love these guys - so efficient.

Just about 4 more to go by Christmas - maybe more . . .

They're assembling the Crane structure today!!! The Cap dried and now they are stack-stack-stacking the crane tower!

Very nice. Can't wait till I see a BIG crane in the Tampa Skyline in Downtown since Marriott. :cheers:

Embassy Suites . . .

calm down guys,its only one crane

We in the boonies must keep our pleasures simple.

whats the boonies?

calm down guys,its only one crane

I didn't see anyone getting overly excited. If its bothering you take yourself back over to the miami forum.

whats the boonies?

da suburbs. (guess miami forgets what "boonies" mean) ;)

Thanks Smiley I forgot about our U/C Embassy Suites. :runaway:

Mad Hatter, we tampa people get excited when we get a big crane because unlike Miami we don't have 140 building/projects. :)

ACtually, even if we had 140 projects (we have a number but nothing like that) I would still get excited (just not overly excited). The big cranes are a symbol that the city is alive and growing. Always loved em, always will.

The boonies are the styx, bfe, way out there, boresville, nowhere, in the provinces . . .

ACtually, even if we had 140 projects (we have a number but nothing like that)

Yes, but my point is, when you've got 140 projects each crane becomes less significant because you've got another 139 cranes to go. :2cents:

Edit-Also the horizatal part of Skypoints new crane appears to be attached or being held up by a smaller crane. Looks so wierd small, but thats how most of them start out.

I didn't see anyone getting overly excited. If its bothering you take yourself back over to the miami forum.


ok,sorry your majesty.

heheh, MTV awards were quietly cancelled.

This thread is here to track the progress of a specific Tampa tower. Let's stick to the topic.

Back on subject -- first off, if everyone missed it (or hasn't been looking) the crane has gone up several notches, so to speak, as they've added a few segments (the crane top is out of camera view. I wanna see a skyline picture with it ;) )...

Secondly, it looks like the entire construction team is making a final push on cassion and cap work this week. They're boxing off several cassions that were laid last week and the foundation crew continues to work all over the lot with regards to finishing the process of laying the foundation.

Anybody know what going on with the new 25 story condo in Channelside being built by the same developer at SkyPoint? When will they be presenting to the Tampa City Councils for approval? Is the Sales Office opened yet for this new condo?

Check the "Twin Towerside" thread.... last few pages.

It goes back to council on 9/8 for approval or denial. The city reached an agreement with the developers to have about 20 units reserved as affordable (under 200K). I am curious to see what happens as I have a unit in the Meridian which I close on in about a month.

Hey guys.

to see skypoints crane in the skyline click here.http://www.abcactionnews.com/cams/tampa.html

Its right in front of the suntrust building. :)

Thanks for the information on the SkyPoint in Channelside John F and TPAMAN. Only 20 units that will be affordable under 200K? I hope the Martin condo project next to Grand Central will have more affordable units then just 20.

That is great to see the crane has gone up at SkyPoint condo project on Ashley. I can't even see the top of the crane anymore on the web cram. Can't anybody see the crane from the Interstate?

Also i realized its pretty good for looking at the DT Embassy suites, and maybe soon to be the Kress Square?. Biga1968, if you use tecocam.com you can still see the top of the crane if you point the cam up. :)

Fast and furious now at the site... What's with the wooden framing around the crane bottom?

They've got a lot of support columns going up now on the site -- some of it is just the steal rods that will be surrounded by concrete but still the framework is there. .

Fast and furious now at the site... What's with the wooden framing around the crane bottom?

They've got a lot of support columns going up now on the site -- some of it is just the steal rods that will be surrounded by concrete but still the framework is there. .

Yep, i noticed that too. I check the cam twice a day. There may be another one of those wooden framing towards the NE section of the site. (I can't tell because it is to dark now.)

Somebody asked if you can see the crane from the interstate? Yes, you can now but don't get into an accident going around the curves looking at it.

Speaking of cranes -- the Cassion work seems to be complete and they have disassembled the crane that has been on site since the begining of the project. Does that mean the garage enterance will be on the south corner of Ashley (because no cassions are at the enterance of the work site... Of course, that's where all the heavy equipment comes in and departs but it's had me confused.)

They are also laying a new layer of top soil put over over the caps on the east side of the lot... THey've still got a lot of caps to do on cassions where the main tower will be but I expect that finished before the end of the month...

One more thing -- plumming. PVC pipe being laid at the north / north east portion of the site....

Does anyone know when will be the next drawing for the remaining unit left? Guess there are 289 available. Thanks.

So what exactly is going on with the large pit full of caissons on the Ashley side of the lot? It looks like they're finally building a mold around it, but why such a large block? There's also a concrete wall going up on the Tampa St. side of the building... what's that about? My uneducated guess is that one of the two oddities is related to the elevator shafts.

I looked at the webcam today for Skypoint. Does anyone have any idea what the green is on the ground there?

I looked at the webcam today for Skypoint. Does anyone have any idea what the green is on the ground there?

They're pouring a thin layer of concrete (for the parking garage, I'm guessing). I don't know why they put down that yellow-green vinyl sheet... perhaps to prevent a large amount of concrete from seeping into the groundwater?

Or chemicals from the garage for that matter.

It also looks like they are finishing up setting up for the huge cap they are goign to build over the caissons in the middle/west middle of the lot.

I don't know why they put down that yellow-green vinyl sheet... perhaps to prevent a large amount of concrete from seeping into the groundwater?


vapor barrier, I think. it's required to keep water out, so that the steel reinforcement holding the concrete together doesn't decay when the inevitable cracks occur in the years to come. I suppose that it could also help prevent soil contamination and such, though I don't ever recall having a vapor barrier's purpose presented to me in that way at school or work. But hey, I'm far from being an authority on such things.

I was confused by what's going on but I decided to look on Skypoint's website to get a better idea of the building layout (by looking at a floorplan of the lower floors).

Floors 2-7 are going to only have apartments up front. The rest will be part of the parking decks. I don't know if what concrete they've laid is going to be part of the enterance to the parking ramps or not but it's possible.

WHere the iron mesh is right now, there will be an Elevator bank... Though I think there is more reason for the huge supports...? I could be wrong.

What is confusing me right now is the Cap blocks that aren't covering the caisons... THe ones that are close to Ashley Drive?

Hey all. I been checking out SSC for about a year now and I've finally decided to add some imput.

I love the architecture of Skypoint and I believe that it will be a fine addition to our skyline. My take is the first concrete edge that was built located on the northern portion of the site is actually the enterance to the north garage. I suspect that they were using it as a marking point, but this is just a guess. I've seen, on another thread, a photoshop image of the front of Skypoint facing Zack St. I think that the front will actually be off of Ashley, but again, this is just a guess. I'm looking forward to its completion a year from now.

The address for the site is on Ashley Drive, so the main foot enterance SHOULD be off Ashley, you are correct in that.

I hope that the street level scene is lively, similar to some of their (Novare's) current properties in Atlanta, such as Metropolis on Peachtree. Looks like Metropolis has a lot more retail however (40,000 sq ft vs. 10,500 sq ft)
http://www.novaregroup.com/portfolio_metropolis.html

I didn't cach on that they started pouring concrete at night or real early in the morning. They did last night's caps around 2 AM and worked through till dawn and tongiht - right now - they are gettign ready to start filling in the last caps (where the Elevator Bank will be and the tower's center).

The cap work is done -- unless they are planning to pre-pour soem more for the south west side of the lot and bury them...

This woudl mean, I am assuming, that we'll be seeing more fo the verticle stuff now -- more support columns being cast and what not.

and that we are.

What are those blue things that are sitting near the center of the site (where the Elvator shaft will be)? Part of the plumbing system?

Those are the containers for the remains of the four wise guys who tried to double cross don novarre last week.

I was recently selected in the skypoint lottery. I'm concerned because it seems they've raised the prices quite a bit from the original price point. 2 beds are now starting at 325k. I was also told that there were 300 units remaing to choose from...odd considering they had a lottery for the first 100 ppl several months back...are people just backing out because of the restrictions/10% downpayment?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

^A 10% DP? That's it?

Those are the containers for the remains of the four wise guys who tried to double cross don novarre last week.

"I knew it was you, Frodo, I knew it was you! You broke my heart, you broke my heart!"

(and yes, I used Frodo instead of Fredo intentionally :P )

^A 10% DP? That's it?

thats what i said.

"I will make a deal you can't refuse." "Nothing personal. It's business." Ten percent is not too bad, really, if that is the case. I would also support reasonable restrictions on ownership/transfer to prevent the failure of the building, in terms of having few full-time residents, to assist in creating an active downtown. Of course, its not my $$$.

^I'm not worried in the least about residential vacancies in any DT project. The taxes and dues will be paid, or the units will wind up on the market. Inevitably, all units will wind up being occupied, no matter how many units are built, or what price is charged initially.

However, the retail spaces are a different story. I guess at worst, some retail space may sit vacant, and wind up being peddled as Class B office space or something.

btw, I've gotten recent indications that this building's 'official' hieght is greater than ~360ft, as that is reportedly the hieght to the roof, sans the spire. Thus, the spire may indeed push this building 'officially' past the 400' mark, just as many of us have long suspected.



Tampa Sky... You own a unit... Could you email someone and inquire about this, so that we could know what the actual hieght will be? I suspect that they may be much more forthcoming with a paying customer, as opposed to some nosy blokes from the internet.

No problem. I'll ask the tomorrow as I will be selecting my unit, signing the contract and hearing all their restrictions!

It wasn't so long ago when a 32 story building got you basically a 320 ft. building.

Thanks!

No problem. I'll ask the tomorrow as I will be selecting my unit, signing the contract and hearing all their restrictions!

Were you selected on the 2nd drawing for the remaining units, 289 I guess? Thanks.

I was picked during the second phase...there were approx 300 units left while I was there today. They didn't know the total height but are looking into it....
Most of the available 2 beds were in the mid to high 400's. The lower priced units were facing N towards the highway.

^Good grief... The prices are certainly out my reach these days.

"They didn't know the total height but are looking into it...."

i hate when the people in the sales office know less than we do.....

^So, what you're saying is that you hate sales people at all times... ;)

Tampa Sky Welcome. We are going to be neighbors...

I couldn't get the height out of them neither. I don't know how tall the spire is, but in doing math, the 1st 8 stories will be parking. Each of those levels will probably be about 12'. You need to be able to fit a 9' high vehicle on a slope and it needs to clear the depth of the deep planks. I would round this to 100'. The next 24 floors will have 10' high brg clgs including a p.t. slab approx at 6" thick. I would say this portion takes up 256' ft. That puts you at around 356' approx. The spire could be anywhere between 25-40' high.

Hey Tampa Sky, just curiosity, how much is Unit 15 (dbl bdrm) starting at?

I got some feedback from the Skypoint ppl...the total bldg height will be just over 400 ft...Unit 15 is facing north and towards Tampa ave which makes it a bit less expensive. I believe it was still in the low 400's but I can't remember the exact number. The even numbered units faced the pool (S) and are for the most part more expensive then the odd units which face the court yard.

I knew it would be above 400', now we need to get it on a list somewhere so it can make it into the World Almanac list.

So I'm a little confused about the position of the crane at the SkyPoint construction site. Until a couple of days ago, it looked like the crane was going to be completely to one side of the building, but now they are pouring caps to the south-southeast of the crane as well, meaning that it would be completely surrounded by the building. Are they planning to have a permanent vertical shaft where the crane now stands? And how are they going to remove that sucker when construction's complete?

Hello everyone. It looks like we may be neighbors.

I just bought a 1 bedroom in 17th floor facing south (poolside).

^A 10% DP? That's it?

5% down if under $200,000
10% down if over $200,000
15% down if investor

estim. completion now if April 2007

Cool. I bought a 2 bdrm on the 11th floor.

does anyone know what kind of commercial tenants Skypoint is looking for the ground floor?

for the ppl that bought...my experience was that everytime I was debating on a unit, the sales rep would leave the office, then soon after his return another sales rep would enter and "let me know" that the particular unit I was thinking of purchasing was "just sold" or off the market. coincidence....

^Sounds like you need to hurry up. ;)

I bought a unit. Just thought it was coincidental that the units I was looking at were dropping like flies.

Not really, if you think about it.

It was what, 100 people told to come in, basically all at once? it's pretty obvious that people will gravitate towards those units which seem to be the best deals. Thus, they do indeed drop like flies. If you think that was bad, you should try buying a unit in a hot selling project somewhere like Miami. Alot of the time, the whole building is essentially sold out in a few hours.

That's an old condo sales trick. I used to be in real estate sales (for developers) and this technique was quite effective, if done properly.

In this market, they don't need to resort to many of these techniques, but using them correctly certaintly helps move along the already fast sales velocity even further.

It's usually the case that someone is in the other room writing a reservation/contract on the unit your looking for. Then, the "sales manager" will authorize a similar unit to be released or find a way to get you the unit.

I don't see anything wrong with this, considering the fact you have two weeks to cancel a condo contract. If anyone in this state buys a condo based on high-pressure selling tactics, all they have to do is cancel once they realize they wouldn't have bought under normal circumstances....



I bought a unit. Just thought it was coincidental that the units I was looking at were dropping like flies.

I got an email from them last week saying that they will be conducting the last round of lotto pick this months. I'm not holding my breath anymore. I'm going for the Kress Condo Project and already got my name on their list. Wish me luck?

You might still be called. I was selected last week and went to see what was available. The units are half way reserved. Haven't decided yet but very much inclined to not take any. The ones I liked are on the 500's. The problem is the 10%/15% dpending if you live there or lease.

How do I get my name on the list for the Kress project? Is there a website already?

^ The developer is the Doran Jason Group. I'm sure google can find them.

Anyone want to give a guestimate on when crews start work on the second floor (meaning truly going verticle beyond the initial support columns)

^Nobody will have any clue, because we don't know which block will be done first (probably Kress), or when it is going to start... SFAIK, they're not done getting their ducks in a row, thus I don't think any appreciable work could begin until at least April-July 2006.

Kress project info?
How do I get my name on the list for the Kress project? Is there a website already?

To answer Tampa610 question on contacting the developer on the Kress Project. I've contacted Doran Jason Group regarding this project back in August. They gave me a number and a person to contact. It is Jeannette Jason (813) 254-4900. As of right now everything are still in the preliminary stage but she took my name down and when the condo project close to the final design then she let me and other people know. Here are what I got from Jeannette:
Studio unit is 600 S.F.
1-Bedroom unit is 750 S.F.
2-Bedroom unit is 860 S.F.
The price range from 130K to 350K.
Tampa610 please contact her, maybe she got information now and let me know.

^Nobody will have any clue, because we don't know which block will be done first (probably Kress), or when it is going to start... SFAIK, they're not done getting their ducks in a row, thus I don't think any appreciable work could begin until at least April-July 2006.

Uh, I mean the Skypoint Condo project....

I mean this thread IS titled SKYPOINT and I know the conversation has meandered into Kress discussion but I was asking about Skypoint...

I'm sorry but that's pretty damn small. That's claustrophobic! I was hoping there were some units that were at least 1400 sf. But if there is a demand, then go for it. It's definitely for a singe person. Unless you're rich, when you move to DT you pay more and get less.

Uh, I mean the Skypoint Condo project....

I mean this thread IS titled SKYPOINT and I know the conversation has meandered into Kress discussion but I was asking about Skypoint...

My bad. :)


Agreed about The Kress project... I was hoping that their prices were a bit more sober on a per sqft basis. But as we can see, they are as high or higher than others. The prices are simply lower because the units are shoeboxes.

I fear that my hopes for a project that delivers a nicely laid out 1200-1400 sqft 2 br unit for about $250 sqft is futile (with some kind of elevated urban view. I'm talking just being above the treeline). No such project has yet existed in DT, Channelside, Ybor, Hyde Park or anywhere else for that matter. There have been some projects which were close to this, but they were 'loft' projects, which feature uselessly shitty floorplans.

does anyone know what kind of commercial tenants Skypoint is looking for the ground floor?

for the ppl that bought...my experience was that everytime I was debating on a unit, the sales rep would leave the office, then soon after his return another sales rep would enter and "let me know" that the particular unit I was thinking of purchasing was "just sold" or off the market. coincidence....

had that happen too, but the guy that got the unit was actually in the office.

Who actually had it first was a bit controversial, but we did not argue and let him have it.

My bad. :)


Agreed about The Kress project... I was hoping that their prices were a bit more sober on a per sqft basis. But as we can see, they are as high or higher than others. The prices are simply lower because the units are shoeboxes.

I fear that my hopes for a project that delivers a nicely laid out 1200-1400 sqft 2 br unit for about $250 sqft is futile (with some kind of elevated urban view. I'm talking just being above the treeline). No such project has yet existed in DT, Channelside, Ybor, Hyde Park or anywhere else for that matter. There have been some projects which were close to this, but they were 'loft' projects, which feature uselessly shitty floorplans.

Not quite at $250 a square foot, but I bought a 2-bed, 2-bath on the sixth floor with a large balcony overlooking Kennedy for about $275 a square foot. Those days are already long past, though ...

Actually 750 for one bedroom is not that small - my apartment in Lawschool was that big and it is certainly serviceable.

I hope they aren't planning on constructing this thing in a similar fashion to the Clearwater Bridge.... (Talking about Skypoint again)

Tons of scaffolding going up now on the north of the lot (can't really tell with the webcam but Tecocam gives you a better view)

Probably just setting up to do the ceiling/floor for the second floor

I figured, Smiley... I just hope they aren't going to, like, put a slab on top of that scaffolding and expecting it to support the floor/ceiling instead of the columns (which was how Clearwater Bridge was constructed and part of the reason there were so many problems).