http://www.sptimes.com/2007/05/13/Neighborhoodtimes/Hotel_might_slip_in_u.shtml

Hotel might slip in under the wire
A builder takes advantage of current land rules. Many neighbors aren't pleased.

By PAUL SWIDER
Published May 13, 2007
ST. PETERSBURG - Resting on the border between downtown and residential Old Northeast, a controversial hotel proposal is defining the border between downtown's underdeveloped past and its popular future.
Tampa developer Fuel Group International is looking to put 260 hotel rooms, 111 condominiums and more than half a million square feet on a 37, 000-square-foot parcel.
Fuel Group is hoping to get approval under current land development regulations that could change next month. If the regulations are approved, the new rules would cut the development in half.
"We're right on the cusp of these new LDRs, " said Nicole Durkin, a lawyer and a resident of the Old Northeast neighborhood who opposes the proposed Westin Hotel. "Everybody recognizes the old rules didn't get us to the long-term place we needed to be. We're not the city that's desperate anymore. Developers are clamoring to be here now."
Fuel Group is pressing ahead with plans for the 33-story hotel on Fifth Avenue N at First Street despite considerable resistance from neighbors. The company will present its proposal Wednesday to the Environmental Development Commission at a meeting set aside solely for this project.
"They're not backing down at all, " said Tim Baker, president of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, which is also opposing the project. "Nobody's happy with this project."
Fuel Group has gotten an earful from the neighbors and has changed parts of the project. The presentation this week will reveal whether the alterations are enough.
"We worked hard on this design, " said Ron Weaver, attorney for Fuel Group, of a nearly 400-foot building crafted to resemble a sailing ship. "We believe it will be an asset for all the citizens of St. Pete, the crown jewel of the northern downtown."
Weaver admitted that neighbors have opposed the plan but said the company's adjustments are satisfying their concerns. He said he will present dozens of petition signatures from neighbors and business interests who approve of the latest proposal.
Fuel Group has added one floor to the project for more than 100 extra parking spaces to alleviate concerns about cars overrunning the neighborhood, Weaver said. The developer is also improving driveway access for hotel guests, residents and delivery trucks. He said some of the building's amenities might be offered to neighbors at a discount.
"We want it to be their hotel, " Weaver said, contrasting it with the Renaissance Vinoy, which he said is apart from the community. "Ours is a community resource."
Not all in the community see the project that way. A letter of opposition from the Downtown Residents Civic Association calls it "faulty, unsuitable, inappropriate" and an "odious ... circumvention" of the city's new land development regulations.
City staffers have recommended that the EDC approve the project because it meets the strict letter of the law, but the staff report mentions how the project differs from the new regulations and the city's intent for future development. There are repeated references comparing the proposal to what will be allowed once the new regulations are in effect, likely sometime this summer.
The existing base regulations would allow a building with about 111, 000 square feet of floor space, but Fuel Group has added features to receive bonuses for more floor area. With bonuses for open space, landscaping, art and more added together, the developer could be allowed unlimited area and is proposing 537, 000 square feet.
The new regulations would allow a building at that site to have no more than 259, 000 square feet and be no taller than 200 feet.
Baker said it's not the height but the density of the project that is objectionable. He said the argument for tall buildings has always been that a tall, slender building is better than a squat one.
"This one's tall and squat, " he said. "Ain't nothing slender about this at all."
Weaver said the developer has included streetscaping, water features and more than 8, 000 square feet of open space on the lot. He also said there could be a sidewalk cafe along Fifth Avenue to make the facility more friendly to the neighborhood.
"They'll be able to walk a couple of blocks and enjoy discounts on a world-class amenities package, " he said. "We thought it was important to meet not just the letter but the spirit" of the zoning district's rules.
Among the proponents Weaver lists is the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, whose president, Don Shea, wrote a letter of support. Shea said "in the abstract" the development would be positive for the downtown economy but added that he was not in a position to comment on urban design issues affecting its neighbors. He said the thriving area needs the hotel rooms, but he's not sure about the condos.
Unlike many recent pure condo projects, this $60-million development does not depend on presales before building begins. A building without condos would be less dense, neighbors say, and perhaps less of a problem, but they also say simply moving the deal closer to the downtown core could make everyone happy.
"I'd sign a petition of support if this was in the right place, " said Durkin, noting there are abandoned projects selling land downtown. "It's just the wrong place at the wrong time."
Other developers have filed for extensions on their projects in recent months in the hopes that designs would be grandfathered in under the old LDR rules.
Paul Swider can be reached at 892-2271 or pswider@sptimes.com or by participating in itsyourtimes.com.
Fast Facts:

In the thick of it
Some numbers for the proposed Westin Hotel by developer Fuel Group International:
- 33 stories/387 feet
- 260 hotel rooms, 111 condos, 448 parking spaces
- 537, 000 square feet on a 37, 000-square-foot lot equals a floor area ratio, or FAR, of 14.5
Comparable projects in terms of FAR
Progress Energy/Grand Bohemian: 8.3 FAR
Parkshore Plaza: 4
400 Beach Drive: 4
Ovation: 4
Bayway Lofts: 7.7

A FAR of 14.5? Wow.

It is somewhat squat... I'm indifferent to this project. Is it very far removed from the DT core? It doesn't sound like it...

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/04/25/images/tb_hotel.jpg

www.attheedge.com under building features.

There is a 3D "tour" of the exterior of The Edge up now. I don't think it was there until recently because I would've noticed it before... it doesn't compare to Venu's, but it gives you an idea of where it sits and lets you see it from different aspects.

www.attheedge.com under building features.

There is a 3D "tour" of the exterior of The Edge up now. I don't think it was there until recently because I would've noticed it before... it doesn't compare to Venu's, but it gives you an idea of where it sits and lets you see it from different aspects.
It doesn't work for me or am I the only one?

you forgot a "t". :)

Did they cut the spire off The Edge it didnt show the spire on the site?

They said they were going to take Edge off of the market for awhile and then return in 2007. I take it that the video is good news ?

They said they were going to take Edge off of the market for awhile and then return in 2007. I take it that the video is good news ?

If the video is new, then it could be that they are gearing up to get the thing built again. However, unless they changed it to more mixed-use or cheaper units, I don't know why they would pick now to try to sell again. Things haven't really improved much.

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/05/16/Opinion/Wrong_building__wrong.shtml

Wrong building, wrong location

Most St. Petersburg residents have viewed their modern downtown skyline with pride and enthusiasm. Condos and a new office building rise to lofty heights in the downtown core, while on the fringe between downtown and the city's incomparable neighborhoods, the scale of new construction has been appropriately modest. At least until now.

A proposed development that would pack a 260-room Westin Hotel and a 111-unit condo into a 33-story tower just across the street from the Old Northeast neighborhood would be as out of place as a sequoia in an orange grove. If allowed, such abuse of restraint and good taste could put public support for future development decisions in jeopardy.

The building has more stories than the Bank of America tower. And that isn't the most shocking part of this proposal, which should draw plenty of public comment from opponents at today's meeting of the Environmental Development Commission, commonly called the EDC. With its height and bulk, the building would be the most densely packed development allowed in the city over the past seven years. By far.

To get an idea of how much would be squeezed onto less than an acre at the southwest corner of Fifth Avenue N and First Street, compare it with the recently completed Parkshore Plaza condo on Beach Drive. That project rises 29 stories and takes up half a city block (including its three-story base). Yet the Parkshore is less than a third as dense, measured by "floor area ratio, " as the proposed Westin.

A city staff report recommends approval of the project, though that analysis was based only on the developer - Fuel Group International - meeting the technical requirements of the city's outdated development regulations. The report also raises some serious concerns.

With their "sheer height and massing, " the six stories of blank-walled garage "might feel oppressive to pedestrians, " the report says. Even then, increased traffic generated by the project could add to a weekend parking problem that the report calls already "unbearable."

Yet the most compelling reason for this project to be rejected by the EDC is this: New development regulations that reflect the current wants and needs of city residents and officials are only a few months from being in place, and those regulations would flatly reject the Westin project.

As the report noted, "this building, unfortunately, is not consistent with the community's vision of this location. It is difficult for the administration to embrace a project that so excessively counters the community's visioning process undertaken over the past five years."

Well said, and reason enough for the EDC to send the plan back to the drawing board. While the developer skillfully manipulated existing regulations to their fullest, and then some, it has fallen short on other legal requirements. The proposed project is not in harmony with the site or its surroundings; it is not compatible with other properties in the neighborhood; it would have a detrimental impact on nearby residential and commercial property, particularly in its scale and mass.

Those are all legal justifications for the EDC to reject this project, or failing that, for the City Council to override the panel. Another new, attractive hotel could be an asset in downtown St. Petersburg, but not in that spot and at that height and density.

City officials can't afford to ignore legitimate public concern about a project that is so far out of touch with acceptable standards of development.

If the problem is the scale, then I say ditch the condos and make it a 300-325 room hotel... Or cut the hotel in half. That should drop it several stories and slim it up some.

But doesn't it already meet the zoning and building codes as is? If that is the case, then what's the problem?


Yet the most compelling reason for this project to be rejected by the EDC is this: New development regulations that reflect the current wants and needs of city residents and officials are only a few months from being in place, and those regulations would flatly reject the Westin project.
I'm probably mistaken, but putting that reasoning into practice sounds like a good way to waste taxpayers' money defending against a lawsuit.

Slim it down. It's incredibly massive - not a great project by any means. The location just doesn't work... it isn't really an asset to anyone. I'd support it if it were scaled down or simply a Hotel...

Change the damn location and it'll be fine!!!

Tall hotel-condo denied
The project meets current zoning, but a city review board calls it out of scale for the area.
By PAUL SWIDER
Published May 17, 2007


The mass and scale of opposition from downtown-area residents Wednesday convinced the Environmental Development Commission to deny a Tampa developer's plan to build a 33-story building on Fifth Avenue N and First Street.

"They listened very attentively, and they heard us," said Nicole Durkin, a resident of the adjacent Old Northeast neighborhood and the attorney who represented several groups in opposition to a Westin hotel and condominium building that would have been the most dense project approved in the city in years.

A parade of nearly 70 people spent more than three hours telling the commission they thought the building's 260 hotel rooms and 111 condos would bring excess traffic and parking problems to the edge of their residential neighborhoods. They also displayed a picture that showed the proposed 537,000-square-foot project wouldn't be appropriate for a neighborhood because it would even dwarf buildings in the downtown's core.

While the project by Fuel Group International had gained staff approval because it met the letter of the zoning laws, commission members voted 6-1 against it on the grounds it did not uphold the spirit of the city's comprehensive plan and would disrupt the harmony of the area.

"The scale and mass are out of proportion," said chairman David Punzak, who echoed others in saying he liked the project but wished it was in the heart of downtown, not its edge. "I wish it could be a couple 1-irons to the south."

Fuel Group's attorney, Ron Weaver, said he, too, wished the company had property farther south, but his client had bought this property in good faith and expected to be able to exercise legitimate development rights. He said Fuel Group will likely appeal the decision to the City Council, but the city staff said scheduling won't allow that appeal for at least two months.

Weaver also countered neighbors' claims that the developer was trying to sneak in a project under old laws before city land development regulations change later this summer. He said planning on the project started two years ago when the city's new rules were very much in flux.

Durkin conceded from the opening that the project had met code and that's why the staff had approved it. While she urged the commissioners to consider the total effect of such a development, other neighbors took exception to the project being taken seriously at all.

"You rely too much on staff," said Sally Ann Lawson, who owns property across the street from the project. "They're basically clerks. What you have here (in the neighborhood) are experts."

Indeed, among those opposing the project were architect Tim Clemmons, who prepared the comparison drawing and who also is about to complete a condo building next to the site. Also voicing opposition was developer Dan Harvey, who has offered Fuel Group his nearby land that some said would be more suitable for the project.

Neighbors also were upset that the nearly 400-foot-tall building would cast long winter shadows on their homes. A "shadow study," the first the city has ever required of a developer, showed darkness covering areas as much as two blocks north for as long as two hours a day.

Sharon Heal-Eichler was the sole vote in favor of the project. She said she couldn't deny the developer what others nearby had been granted. She also felt concerns were overblown.

"I do not see this as a monstrosity that will destroy the Northeast neighborhood," she said.

Durkin said the quick, decisive vote was a bit of a surprise, based on the commission's history, but that the timing played a part. With the new regulations in reach and this project not addressing the community process that created those laws, it leaned toward the future.

"This is a statement by the EDC," she said, "that we've already decided the vision for the city."

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/05/17/Tampabay/Tall_hotel_condo_deni.shtml

^The developer did say last night that he plans to appeal this ruling, meaning it has to go before the city council within 60-90 days.

Jumping back to the 27 story office tower for a moment... We just returned from a short trip to NYC on Amtrak. Had to see the city first hand. All I can say is, all the pictures on the net do not do justice to NYC. To be there and feel the atmosphere, smell the foods, hear the sounds of such a city and take in the enormous size of it all is absolutely mind boggling. It was almost enough to choke me up to have to leave yesterday. However, I did snap a pic of a building that reminded me of home! I hope there is a resemblence to this building on the west side of mid-town Manhattan close to pier 83. It would look fantastic in St. Pete's skyline...

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a142/HemiRoy/DSC00177.jpg

You rode to NYC and back on Amtrak? I shudder at the thought. Plane tickets are cheaper and about 1000% faster.

You rode to NYC and back on Amtrak? I shudder at the thought. Plane tickets are cheaper and about 1000% faster.

Last time I took an Amtrak to NYC it was like $59. Tons of fun too.

You rode to NYC and back on Amtrak? I shudder at the thought. Plane tickets are cheaper and about 1000% faster.

The train ride is a 24hr part of the fun. We get the bedroom so we can sleep overnight and have our meals in the dining car. If I ever take a vacation to be in a hurry, I'll fly. And nope, you don't have to be in a hurry in NYC. Unless you're trying to get to the airport. Penn Station is a block from our hotel in mid-town. I can only wish for such an opportunity here.:D

I rode the train from DC to NYC and loved it. I love traveling by train. I wish we had high speeds trains. They are great for intermediate distances and if you have time, are a lot of fun for long distances. I flew in to Copenhagen (cant spell) Denmark, then went to Arhus by train. It was a 4 hrs, and I could easily take all my luggage, walk around, eat, and view the scenic views. If we drove it would have been 5-6 hrs and boring. Plus it was pretty fun when I used to ride the train from Tampa to DC a lot. It was fun, I just wish our trains were more like europe's or japan's.

I messed around with creating a Google MyMap of downtown St. Petersburg Development projects. Listed mostly what is here.

Check it out:
St. Petersburg Development MyMap (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=117260092309930092707.00000112d8ba48b69444d&ll=27.771849,-82.638774&spn=0.017315,0.026822&t=k&z=16&om=1)

Nice work!

Welcome aboard, dpw . . . :)

Hey, that's really good man... We'll have to add that to the front page for sure...

Hey, that's really good man... We'll have to add that to the front page for sure...

I wish I knew how to make editing the map public.

Anybody know how, or did you notice anything I could add or revise?

That's great. Really nice work.

I wish I knew how to make editing the map public.

I don't think you can do that, the public feature just makes it show in search results pages. It doesn't have any wiki-esque features. Nice work though, it's a pretty fun tool.

I messed around with creating a Google MyMap of downtown St. Petersburg Development projects. Listed mostly what is here.

Check it out:
St. Petersburg Development MyMap (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=117260092309930092707.00000112d8ba48b69444d&ll=27.771849,-82.638774&spn=0.017315,0.026822&t=k&z=16&om=1)

That's good. Very similar to this site for Austin.

http://www.urbanaustin.org/index.php/Main_Page

It'd be nice to have one of these for Tampa as well.

^We are working on such a thing as we speak... Except this site covers the entire planet, so instead of dealing with one city and a couple of dozen projects, it's hundreds of cities and thousands of projects... We actually had to buy a server, just to do coding and testing on, which is what we are now in the process of doing... It will be several months before anyone sees anything, maybe as long as a year... But it is coming, you can be sure of that.

Condo towers get go-ahead

The EDC okays the $350-million downtown project.

By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
Published June 10, 2007

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/06/10/Neighborhoodtimes/Condo_towers_get_go_a.shtml
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ST. PETERSBURG - A $350-million combined retail and condominium development in downtown St. Petersburg was approved Wednesday by the Environmental Development Commission.

The contemporary-styled Tropicana Center complex will encompass the entire block bounded by Central and First Avenues and First and Second Streets N.

The block represents "one of the most important opportunities for revitalization of downtown", according to zoning official John Hixenbaugh.

For that reason, several proposed projects were rejected over the past decade as the city sought the right mix of development for the downtown and waterfront areas.

"The city wanted first and foremost two stories of retail space, an attractive and well-planned pedestrian passage through the block connecting the BayWalk Shops to the South Core Garage, " Hixenbaugh said. "The administration was content to wait for the right project to be designed. This application represents that project."

The Tropicana Center will include two condominium towers rising above two levels of retail space and structured parking. The towers will be a total of 33 and 36 stories.

The 36-story tower on the west end of the block will include 264 dwelling units, 151 hotel rooms and parking for 400 vehicles on two levels. The lower levels will include 46, 000 square feet of retail space, a condominium lobby and a hotel lobby with a restaurant.

The project's second phase will include an additional 56, 000 square feet of retail space on two levels, a condominium lobby, 480 parking spaces on four levels, and a 33-story tower with 321 residences.

A pedestrian esplanade running through the middle of the site will be part of the first phase of construction. Storefronts will be included on all four sides of the building.

Hixenbaugh said the city needs more retail in the downtown area, including the return of a major department store.

The Florida Modern architectural design includes a mix of concave and convex surfaces, with the easternmost building featuring a convex cylindrical tower topped by a domed, illuminated crown.

The two towers will be oriented at 90 degrees of each other.

"The city's skyline will be enhanced by the two different towers so much more than might be achieved by one single massing set upon the block, " said Hixenbaugh. "The project will be an exciting addition to downtown."

Hixenbaugh said the city would have preferred that the project include office space, but present economics prevent that option. If that reality were to change, units could easily be converted to retail use.

No prices have been set as yet for the condominium units, which will range in size from 850 to 1, 250 square feet. Developers said the units will cost less than other condominiums in the downtown area but will not qualify as "affordable housing."

A building now on the site, the former Floroton Hotel is the city's first masonry hotel and will be demolished to accommodate the new development. The developers pledged to work with St. Petersburg Preservation to ensure that any historic artifacts are protected or moved to another location.

The only major objection was voiced by Downtown Neighborhood Association president Timothy Baker, who questioned the city's decision to grant, without a variance, extra floor area ratio (FAR).

Usually, project developers must include extra features to qualify for "bonuses" that would allow extra square footage. Baker said he feared the ruling would mean developers would have no incentive to include extra features such as moderate income housing, historic preservation or public art.

Hixenbaugh explained that city land development regulations for projects in the downtown core automatically allow up to 2.5 times the FAR specified in zoning codes and, therefore, do not require the variance normal in other zoning districts in the city.

The EDC also approved the related vacation of a 20-foot-wide east-west alley in the block bounded by Central Avenue and First Avenue N and First and Second streets N. The vacation allows consolidation of the block.

In another action, the EDC approved a special exception and related site plan for a 2, 100-square-foot Dunkin' Donuts restaurant at the southeast corner of Fourth Street and 76th Avenue N.

The restaurant, which is on an outparcel of a Sweet Bay supermarket shopping center, will include a drive-through. (No. 07-32000006. R-4)

The EDC also approved a site plan modification reducing a previously approved plan for a nine-story, 12-unit condominium to a three-story, four-unit building. (No. 07-31000018. E-4).

[Last modified June 9, 2007, 21:04:15]

Wow, sounds like a big project. At 33 and 36 stories they would be some of the largest in the city (tying Signature).

More good news in St. Pete! Now we just have to see if they actually get built.

Awesome news. Sounds like a great project.

Remember, this is the rendering for Tropicana Block that we have from a while back: http://www.sptimes.com/2007/04/27/images/large/Local_carlton_1566960.jpg

I'm still a fan. I like the George Jetson hourglass design. Retro yet futuristic. Certainly is unique, and cutting edge for the area.

^^ I'm with you Tallaman. I like the design and I hope that they actually get this off the ground. :)

Study casts a light on shade

A high-rise project prompts a rare review in St. Petersburg.

By STEPHANIE GARRY
Published June 17, 2007


ST. PETERSBURG - For 18 years, Sally Ann Lawson's garden has raced toward the sun, converting light into growth and covering her yard like a jungle.

Now development is sprouting. As downtown grows up across the street from her Old Northeast home, her plants could gain an adversary -- shadows, in the Sunshine State.

A 32-story building has been proposed, right across the street from her house. Because of its proximity to Lawson's neighborhood, the city for the first time required a shade study, a part-architectural, part-astronomical review that maps how a building's shadow will travel throughout the day and year.

The studies are becoming more common in Florida as high-rise development grows and technology becomes cheaper. But the question of what shadows mean is something city planners don't yet have an answer for.

To Northerners, shadows mean frigidity in a already cold, dark winter. In Florida, shade can mean relief from a blistering summer.

To Lawson, 58, who owns two adjacent houses on Fifth Avenue, it means the difference between scraggly plants and a thriving garden. She pointed to a passion fruit vine, with just one red, fountain-like blossom.

"It doesn't grow very well here. It grows great in the front, where there's sun," she said, pointing to a plant-choked fence.

Shade studies began in the urban north, where tall buildings and slanted light make sunshine a precious commodity, said Trent Green, a professor of architecture and urban design at the University of South Florida.

Sunshine, or in architect parlance, solar access, became an issue in the 1970s during the energy crunch. Designers were looking for ways to maximize the sun's warmth to reduce the demand for winter heating.

Ralph Knowles, a distinguished professor emeritus of architecture at the University of Southern California, published a 1979 book introducing the idea of a solar envelope, a space that limits the size and shape of a building to lessen its shadow, to help planners respect the neighbors' right to sun.

Al Santiesteban, an architect with the Tampa firm of Smith Barnes Santiesteban Architecture, which did the shadow study for the Fifth Avenue project, said his firm used to do a shadow study in Florida every few years. Now it does a few every year.

It's another tool

Shadows can be long or short, a blessing or a curse, depending on location and time of year.

The earth's tilt creates the seasons. Summer occurs as the northern hemisphere leans toward the sun. In winter, the hemisphere is pointed away, causing the sun to appear in the south and casting long shadows to the north.

John Hixenbaugh, a city zoning official, considered these factors when he requested the study. He knew that by being to the south of the Old Northeast, the proposed project would cast the longest shadows of the year right across the neighborhood.

If a similar situation arises again, Hixenbaugh said he's likely to request another so that neighbors know exactly how they'll be affected.

"It's just another tool in my belt," Hixenbaugh said.

The city hasn't discussed whether to include solar access in its development guidelines, said City Council member Jamie Bennett, adding it would be hard to reconcile the developer's right to the land and the neighbor's right to the sun.

"That's one that we're going to have to think through, I'm afraid," Bennett said.

The importance of shadows in Florida, compared to northern states, is debatable. On one hand, shade is sought in the sweltering summers. And shadows are shorter because the state is close to the equator.

"In most cases it's a surprise to people how little impact it has," said Santiesteban, the architect behind this shadow study. For development, "It's mostly helpful, rather than a deterrent."

Home buyers pay 10 to 15 percent more for property with shade trees, noted Ron Weaver, the attorney for the Fifth Avenue developers. On the longest day of the year, the proposed project's shadow would affect only a couple of blocks for a few hours.

"It's not like it's a constant creation of a canyon," Weaver said.

Even Hixenbaugh said he was expecting more dramatic results.

But then again, this is the Sunshine State. Light is what people come here for. And shadow isn't just a literal issue -- it reflects bulkiness.

"It makes you feel small and insignificant," said Nancy Foster, who owns La Veranda Bed & Breakfast, which is across the street from the proposed development. "If it casts that much shadow, there's something wrong with it."

Project not approved

The Fifth Avenue project that started this debate in St. Petersburg was not approved by a planning board, which said it wasn't in harmony with the neighborhood. Most residents objected to its size and density more than its shadow.

The developer, Fuel Group International, is appealing to the City Council. Weaver, the attorney, said he expects a revised proposal to be released next week that would call for a shorter building.

But shadow is likely to be an ongoing issue as downtown continues to revitalize and property values force developers to build higher.

Knowles, the California architect, said most cities that recognize the right to sun adopted codes after residents demanded it.

It first happened to Los Angeles in the 1980s, Knowles said. A tall building overshadowed and ruined a neighborhood, where falling property values led to a desertion; now it's a parking lot. When a similar project was proposed near another neighborhood, the residents forced the city to legislate.

St. Petersburg architect Tim Clemmons has proposed his own project, a seven-story condo called 475, near the Fuel Group site. Clemmons believes the city needs guidelines on how much shadow is allowed so residents can be guaranteed they won't be cast in darkness.

"We're just starting to talk about this for the first time. It's kind of growing pains," Clemmons said. "It's a normal process of growing up."

Peter Belmont, who lives in Fareham Place downtown, installed a $22,000 solar energy system in his home this spring. He's been urging the city to recognize solar access in its development code.

"We're still clearly continuing to grow and to develop," Belmont said. "It's appropriate, we ought to be doing it, so the sooner we have it as part of our code the better."

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/06/17/Northpinellas/Study_casts_a_light_o.shtml

^^ WOW!

Business

By TIMES STAFF
Published June 20, 2007
NEW PLAN CUTS BACK ON HOTEL ROOMS, CONDOS
After its first attempt was rejected, Fuel Group has resubmitted a new, smaller plan for its project at First Street NE and Fifth Avenue. Neighbors had objected to what they viewed as too dense a development in the Tampa developer's plan to build 260 hotel rooms and 111 condominiums in a 387-foot, 33-story building. The new plan will cut that back dramatically: 285 feet, 22 stories, 154 hotel rooms, 60 condos and a floor-area ratio that is a third smaller. "We hope this will take care of concerns over bulk and height, " said Ron Weaver, the developer's attorney on the project. With this new submission, the old proposal is off the table, and Fuel's appeal of its denial is dropped. A hearing on the new project is Aug. 1, Weaver said.



http://www.sptimes.com/2007/06/20/news_pf/Neighborhoodtimes/Business.shtml

Hello: New to the board here. The design for Tropicana Center is very cool. Does anyone know when it will break ground? It would be great to get some nicer retail downtown too.

Also I just read that the Grand Bohemian will break ground in the fall of this year now(07'). Anyone know if it will actually happen?

Phil

Hello: New to the board here. The design for Tropicana Center is very cool. Does anyone know when it will break ground? It would be great to get some nicer retail downtown too.

Phil

First off welcome.:)

For Tropicana I've been hearing late 2008 as when it would break ground, and that is if it starts on time, so it is still a while off.

Neighbors on fence as hotel shrinks

By PAUL SWIDER
Published July 1, 2007

Though it's smaller by a third, the Westin hotel proposed for downtown is not yet earning raves from neighbors who urged the denial of its earlier version.

"It's a step in the right direction, but I don't know that lopping off floors addressed all our issues, " said Nicole Durkin, resident of and attorney for the Old Northeast neighborhood that opposed a 33-story building on its border at Fifth Avenue N at First Street.

Developer Fuel Group International had planned to appeal the Environmental Development Commission's denial in May, but instead came back last month with a proposal for a 22-story building.

The EDC will hear that proposal Aug. 1, but Durkin and other neighbors have started to review it to see how they will approach the idea.
Neighbors had objected to what they viewed as too tall and too dense a development in the Tampa developer's plan to build 260 hotel rooms and 111 condominiums in a 387-foot building. The new plan will cut that back dramatically: 285 feet, 22 stories, 154 hotel rooms, 60 condos.

Ron Weaver, the developer's attorney, said the cost is still projected at around $120-million, but the economics of the building have changed. He said the developer could have made more money from the original design, if no external factors had changed, but construction costs, consumer demand and competition all shift and affect a design that now must carry some fixed costs across fewer units.

"This is a major series of concessions, " Weaver said of the changes. "We did have to do some cutting."

The city staff had recommended approval of the original plan but has not yet reviewed the new proposal. The staff is not requiring a study to show the shadows the building would cast on the neighborhood, as it had before. Some neighbors said the building would have blocked the winter sun.

Neighbors' objections now may be more mundane or aesthetic. Durkin said it's too early for a complete appraisal, but her clients are still concerned the building's 292 parking spaces don't include a plan for its employees, meaning workers' cars will spill onto area streets already clogged with residents' cars.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association is also keenly interested, though the building is at the northern edge of that area.

Association president Tim Baker said there may be some design elements the neighbors will request, but he said people recognize there is a limit to what the developer can do to limit impact.

"You can't have 20 rooms in a full-service hotel, " Baker said.
Weaver said a certain density is useful to the community because it can create a center of gravity and bring more of the right kind of business to a downtown that still needs redevelopment.

With the existing Vinoy and a planned Kessler hotel nearby, a full-fledged four-star Westin could make downtown more attractive for business and conference travel and pull dollars off the beaches into the city.
Weaver said he has begun talks with neighbors and has received positive responses. He expects a written response soon from the neighbors' attorneys about next steps.

Durkin said as far as she knows the neighborhood jury is still out. She said she has heard some concerns because relatives of the Fuel Group's principals are connected to Club Fuel, an Ybor City nightclub in the news of late for attracting crime to Tampa's entertainment district. Weaver said there is no cross ownership, but Durkin is concerned nonetheless.

"Just because they have a club with problems in Ybor doesn't mean they'll have them here, but it is certainly reason to pause and consider the operational aspects, " she said. "How have they addressed problems at the Ybor facility?"

Paul Swider can be reached at 892-2271 or pswider@sptimes.com (pswider@sptimes.com) or by participating in itsyourtimes.com.
[Last modified June 30, 2007, 23:20:57]



http://www.sptimes.com/2007/07/01/Neighborhoodtimes/Neighbors_on_fence_as.shtml

Remember that Fuel Group isn't exactly known for working with the neighbors. Just head over to the Ybor thread. Simply because of that I'm having a fun time watching this struggle.

this will never be built.... fuel group is a joke

Hello! I hope everyone had a great 4th of July! Do any of you know when the official ground breaking will happen for the Grand Bohemian St Pete ?

I drove by 400 Beach Drive today (I do every few weeks). It is coming along!! I hope we can get some nice retail in there.

:)

Wow! Beautiful pics!!

The Grand Bohemian will be built soon enough the builders have a company called Granite something that will be doing the tile for the Grand Bohemian. They offered my step dad 50,000 sqft of tile to put down which is a shit load but i saw the floorplans for the lobby, etc.

This is a nice link to information on projects in downtown St. Pete, some of which haven't been formally announced yet.

http://www.stpete.org/pdf/downtowndevpkt524.pdf

Downtown St. Pete would be quite an urban environment with all of these projects built.

DEVELOPER CONFIRMS HOTEL FINANCING

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/07/18/Neighborhoodtimes/Business_Digest.shtml

The Kessler Enterprise submitted a letter to the city Monday confirming $120-million in financing to build the Grand Bohemian Hotel downtown. The letter was required before the company closes the purchase of the property at 100 Second St. N in August. Kessler said construction will begin this fall, and the 32-story building with 254 rooms and 52 condominiums will open in fall 2009. The all-white tower with staggered balconies is to resemble an Asian lantern. It will include two restaurants, a lounge, gallery and market/cafe, and 23,000 square feet of meeting space.

This is great news! It's a gorgeous tower.

I heard yesterday from a very good source that the GB's condo sales are still lagging.

^ Although sufficient sales to secure financing, I gather ?

I guess so... I don't think condo sales mattered much ever since they upsized the hotel and reduced condo units.

True, true.

Here's a sweet shot of St. Pete's skyline taken by Kevin McGuire. :)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1385/840110894_e41909b892_o.jpg

Starting to look like the downtown a of an actual city, and not the afterthought of a suburb.

I can now see Signature from my condos street. It is also starting to rise high enough to be seen from the Parking lot of the Publix at University Village, once it and ovation is higher than the Bank of America Tower I would love to see that picture again. Anyway, the commercial/retail portion of The Signature project seems to be topped out and creates a rare canyon effect on 2nd street with McNulty and BofA Tower and the old Florida Power offices...It seems like the retail part of the project is about as tall as McNulty parking garage/condo/sundries, it also has large windows and huge commercial/retail spaces. Does anyone know a concrete list of what is going in? Local rumors around downtown run from Nordstrom to Wholefoods...I can see Wholefoods since the old Webb retail will be Wild Oats. I am sure Starbucks is going to be a tenant. They now have 4 Starbucks in the downtown area and even the little known one on the side of Hilton is gaining traffic. The tower portion has been picking up a lot of speed and is as tall as the retail portion now, with the garage still the lowest...I still will be amazed to see the structure with it covered in a waterfall. THIS tower will put St. Petersburg in a new class of design and hopefully with it and Ovation/GB Hotel(which I am glad will be starting soon because I am getting sick of the Progress Tower alley no window side view) will change more developers minds to get away from the Mediterranean look! Since I waited in line for this new phone I will take some pics of it and edit this post this weekend.

Also, the color changing lights on top of Parkshore turned out really weak at night...it needs to be turned up a lot. Here is a crappy photo I took with the other camera at night, but at least it gives you an idea of how dim and small they are compared to the tower.

http://www.paradigm-designstudio.com/fromprogressarts.jpg

Well since Whole Foods is currently trying to buy Wild Oats I doubt they are trying to build locations next door.

That is a really cool pic of St.Pete.

Well since Whole Foods is currently trying to buy Wild Oats I doubt they are trying to build locations next door.

I actually find it funny yet crazy at the same time that companies are buying each other out. Store buys up store, bank buys up bank, phone company...you get the picture.

The Grand Bohemian owners close on the property in August. Construction is scheduled to start this fall and be completed in 2009. Finally!!

http://www.grandbohemianresidences.com/

^ Great news! This one's going to be a real eye-catcher.

Awesome. Great looking building. A much-needed hotel presence in DT St Pete. I like the virtual tour - they're very proud of their pool area.

I am officially jealous. When this project gets off of the ground I might have to go downtown to ST. PETE something I RARELY do and take some photos. Kudos to St. Petersburg.

I am officially jealous. When this project gets off of the ground I might have to go downtown to ST. PETE something I RARELY do and take some photos. Kudos to St. Petersburg.

St. Pete is kicking downtown Tampa's butt in terms of interesting designs. Tampa needs Veny and Twelve just to hold serve.

It will give me a chance to test my new camera.

I actually find it funny yet crazy at the same time that companies are buying each other out. Store buys up store, bank buys up bank, phone company...you get the picture.

eliminate competition, keep profit margins up

St. Pete is kicking downtown Tampa's butt in terms of interesting designs. Tampa needs Veny and Twelve just to hold serve.

All the other big Florida downtowns are, what's new.

Was on the bay yesterday and DT looked amazing. I really regret not having the camera - there are several vantages you can get from the water of St. Pete that are almost impossible to capture from land.

Harborage project once treaded water, now floats again

ST. PETERSBURG -- Grand plans for a mixed-use complex with a residential component focused on the yacht club lifestyle at a St. Petersburg marina were shelved last year, but developers now are reviving plans for the project.

St. Petersburg-based Vector Properties is again seeking approval of a site plan for what was originally called Windward at Harborage Marina before it was derailed last year by condominium market conditions.

The site is 3.7 acres of property in tracts on both sides of Third Street South at 11th Avenue.

Documents submitted for review Wednesday by the city's Environmental Development Commission shows Vector still plans two 11- to 12-story residential towers, a two-level parking garage, two buildings comprised of 28,000 square feet of retail space, and a four-story waterfront building with eight residential units, parking, and retail and restaurant space.

Altogether, the planned complex consists of 62 residential units and some mixed-use elements facing Third Street South.

Project plans submitted for approval are similar to ones the city previously approved for the development.

A variance for building setbacks is requested because developers want to bring mixed-use components to the sidewalk edge in more of a "city scape" configuration, documents show. The proposed complex includes a restaurant, outdoor dining, a lounge and shops.

Site plan documents show the estimated value of the project is $60 million.

"This is a reapproval of what had been proposed," said Phil Lazzara, a St. Petersburg deputy planner reviewing the site plan. "It's the same as what was approved in 2005. They contemplated making some changes, but then came back with the previously approved plan."

Seeking the luxury market
Preliminary price points for units ranged from $700,000 to $3.5 million when the Windward began taking deposits in 2005.

http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2007/07/30/story1.html?b=1185768000^1496676

Hey, that is really great new!! I hope it really happens this time. Oops! Should be called Windward at Harborage

Any new news on Edge ?

I agree that St Pete's skyline will get there eventually. This is a shot from one of my photographers.

http://www.condoleaf.com/users/up/downtown_st_pete.jpg

If you squint your eyes hard enough, you may be able to see a skyline across the bay.

http://www.condoleaf.com/users/up/Circles_Panorama.jpg

^Where is the picture taken from?

I'm guessing Apollo Beach.

Looks like it was taken from Circles Bar & Grill. The image name is Circles_Panorama :).

Yup, this is from over Bal Harbour - has to be from a helicopter. Nothing is that tall in AB. The Marina on the right is part of Lands End, which also includes Circles. Looks to be recent - at most two or three months judging by the construction progress of those townhomes on the Blvd.

Yup, this is from over Bal Harbour - has to be from a helicopter. Nothing is that tall in AB. The Marina on the right is part of Lands End, which also includes Circles. Looks to be recent - at most two or three months judging by the construction progress of those townhomes on the Blvd.

Correct. This consists of Lands End Marina and Circles Restaurant. And you would be surprised that it's not taken from a helicopter, but rather from a glider. Same goes to the photo of St Pete skyline earlier.

Hi all:

Does anyone have a picture of the revised version of the Westin Hotel planned for 5th Avenue North in downtown St. Pete? I went to the council meeting today but I had to leave before the Westin topic came up for debate. If the revised version is approved, Fuel Group would be required to move the existing houses, instead of demolishing them. YEAH!

Thanks!

It's around somewhere, isn't it?

I remember seeing it last week sometime for sure.

It's the top right one:

http://www.paradigm-designstudio.com/fuelprojects.jpg

Whoa! What's the status of W Hotel Tampa ?

^Waiting for the current tenents of the site to finnish their new law office in Tampa Heights. I wouldn't get your hopes to high right now though, it is still fairly early for that project.

The revised Westin Hotel/Condo project proposed for 5th Ave North and 1st St North was rejected again. This happened on Wednesday at the St Petersburg City Hall. The hotel/condo was reduced in size from 33 to 22 stories. However, the mass of the building, the parking issues for employees and the possible noise from the outdoor area of the proposed hotel did not sit well once again with the Old Northeast neighbors. Many of us are for downtown development. However, the location of this proposed project is simply in the wrong place. A 33 story or even a 22 story building has no place across the street from single family one story homes. I assume that the developer, Fuel Group of Tampa will appeal.

^Then the answer is clear. Get rid of the single family homes, which have no earthly business being anywhere in the downtown of a city the size of St Petersburg anyways. They were outmoded a generation ago, and at this point are plainly a hindrance to the city's vision for the future. It is ridiculous that the viability of downtown and thus the city's economy in general continues to be put under thumb by literally a handful of people.


[/devil's advocate]

THere are places that are not fit for highrises - but if this is on the south side of 5th ave N - there is no logical argument - that area has tall buildings laready

^Then the answer is clear. Get rid of the single family homes, which have no earthly business being anywhere in the downtown of a city the size of St Petersburg anyways. They were outmoded a generation ago, and at this point are plainly a hindrance to the city's vision for the future. It is ridiculous that the viability of downtown and thus the city's economy in general continues to be put under thumb by literally a handful of people.


[/devil's advocate]
If any of them in DT need a new home, I got one across from me selling at $70,000!!

I agree, they don't belong in DT, think of having single-family homes in Manhattan, OMG!

Well the fact is there are single family homes there and they were there first and most likely historical. So if they want to change this they can buy out all the houses otherwise thats the way it is. This could be so much better closer to the city center i know there are many lots this thing could be built on.

If any of them in DT need a new home, I got one across from me selling at $70,000!!

I agree, they don't belong in DT, think of having single-family homes in Manhattan, OMG!

There is actually one (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyckman_House). I would have seen it first hand, but the subway station nearby was really sketchy (I think 215th st) and I was carrying a few thousand dollars worth of computer/photographry equipment so I got off the train and immediately waited for one going back down South.

Looking back I don't think it was so dangerous, but there just weren't any people around. In Manhattan that feels *really* weird and considering it was run down, I immediately felt unsafe. That was the only time I felt that way in Manhatten though (but being young I never went back when it was a pretty rough place).

Hey I was just kidding with the remarks about getting rid of the houses... But it does beg the question... Which is more appropriate in the downtown of a large and growing city? The rural single family home or the urban highrise?

^^I'd understand if downtown St.Pete was completely built out but it isnt and there are so many crappy lots in and around DT that dont interfere with any single family homes. My thought is they were idiots for thinking they could build something so massive next to a residential neighborhood without opposition.

But at the same time its like the urban border of downtown and across the street its where the "streetcar suburb" so to speak is where the single family homes are. So its a tough situation for both Fuel and the residents. I think the fact the people of the single family homes live in downtown st.pete they should expect urbanity to eventually come to their doorstep. So its debatable whether it should be built or not.

Yeah, this is not an appropriate site for that sort of density. You know that, Jason. lol. Devil's advocate or not...

There are plenty of plots ripe for (re)development in the core of the city.

that area has some mid-rises a few decades old already...I really think it shouldn't matter. I know for one when people come to stay, they usually stay in a hotel. During the it seems like many events and holidays only the one star motels are vacant now....we need this hotel and more than just the other few just finished or starting construction.

I said I was kidding about actively knocking down the single family homes. I also think it is absolutely ludicrous that this project was denied for being out fo scale with the neighborhood...

What is this location, maybe 1500 feet from Central itself? One would be lucky to fit a golf course or shopping mall in that distance, yet it is deemed inappropriate to erect a building barely tall enough to even be termed a "highrise"? wow...


Just remember, when you cling to the past, you relive it again and again.

^^ i know you were kidding but looking at google earth its weird because 5th seems to be the urban border so in a way i guess it really is ok to build that hotel. Thats why my last post was bouncing back and forth. But id still think we should knock down some of the other crap in DT and build it there.

The optimism of comments here are a refreshing break for someone like myself whose recent reading has been concentrated on changes occurring throughout the world economy. I realize a first post on this board ought to be a careful one. I wouldn't like to be typecast negatively after all. But for those of you curious about recent news stories suggesting difficult days ahead, I'd like to pass on a few observations about the commercial finance side which have much to do with the success of these construction projects.

The investors who ultimately assume the risk of construction financing have become extremely wary of taking on any new debt. These investors - among them insurance companies, pension funds, major corporations, investment bankers and most significantly by a wide margin, private equity and foreign central banks - have two interrelated and sound reasons for their recent conservatism: indications of a slowing US economy and an apparent failure of risk-rating services such as Moody's and Standard and Poors to give a fair estimate of how the debt will perform in current or future economic conditions. Many institutional investors are restricted to purchasing investment grade assets only. When ratings prove unreliable or are being downgraded - as some have been lately - the confidence of the marketplace is thrown into question, and some have already been burned by highly-rated debt obligations which lost much of their value in the past few weeks.

Not only has this slowed the velocity of new development money, it has placed developers in a position of building into an uncertain marketplace. Since it can take years to assemble the approvals necessary for large projects - and for the required financing - some forge bravely ahead. And some are essentially forced by contractual arrangements to build whether or not it makes sense to do so.

The recent pattern of ever-rising real estate valuation appear to be ending, and the change in the market for structured debt, though ongoing, has already been swift and brutal. By the end of next week, all major home lenders will be looking only at mortgage applications for standard, conforming loans - 80/20 loan to value ratios, no borrowing for down payments, verified employment history and 720+ FICO.

As you may imagine, this has considerable influence on how highrise developers themselves see their projects and their prospects. I was sorry to see the Westin proposals rejected, but the city may have done the developers a considerable favor by stopping them.

You mean by the end of next week lenders will remember the lessons of the 1920's. Thank God.

Now we'll see how long it takes people to figure out that by and large, our economy has 'grown' in recent years because we financed that growth with debt.

America loves debt, and it will get us into trouble sooner or later. The National debt is out of control and will have to be re-paid eventually. Consumers spend even when they can't afford it. I still regard the credit card as the single worst financial thing that has happened to this country in a long time. One day people will learn, but will it be too late? I guess it will be when we are the United States of Japan, or United States of China.

^ I'm with you RM. Too many Americans lack the discipline to manage their consumer debt effectively and for that we all will pay, just like with insurance on properties in hazard-prone areas. Economics is what killed communism in the USSR, not any military. Nice cheery outlook, isn't it?

It wasn't my intention to change the direction of the thread.

Let me just suggest, since many of the contributors here strike me as relatively young and optimistic, that you must not be discouraged. Study the history of RE downturns and consider that they can offer real opportunities which are well worth understanding and waiting for. Get busy.

Now. Let's get back to skyscrapers.

Hi everyone:

I was downtown St Pete today( I only live a few blocks from there:) ) and had to drive by all of the areas under construction as I do every few weeks. Construction on Signature is now at the 13th floor of the condo building. It seems they are getting this up fast! Also, the sign is now up at the Grand Bohemian about pre construction pricing. I'm not sure if that was there before? 400 Beach Drive is really coming along. Just in the last couple of weeks, it is looking so much better. Does anyone have any idea of the retail going in there? I know Ooze & Schmooze is going in. W Plaza is looking so much better too, now that the lower front section is complete.

America loves debt, and it will get us into trouble sooner or later. The National debt is out of control and will have to be re-paid eventually. Consumers spend even when they can't afford it. I still regard the credit card as the single worst financial thing that has happened to this country in a long time. One day people will learn, but will it be too late? I guess it will be when we are the United States of Japan, or United States of China.

I'm in total agreement, random. I recently responded at quite length with a social/political commentary in a SSC thread regarding the I-35 bridge collapse http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=506021&page=5 where I echo your sentiments and put a mirror to America's face. Jason's point is right on the mark about our addiction to debt; Smiley's reference to the lessons of the 1920's; and Burnside's observations in commercial finance (seen the volitility index VIX lately?) where all is not rosey... let's just say optimism keeps some of us from going insane. ;)

Oh, and random - I bet on China. :dunno:

As to St. Pete, for whatever reason I sense that development is less risky than here in downtown Tampa, but I don't know if the numbers bear that out. I think Signature is the most remarkable tower locally and Grand Bohemian will be another nice addition. :)

the preconstruction signs for the gb hotel has had those signs up for a while now....bungalow, located in old northeast or bayboro area? just wondering...dont really know many SSC posters that live in or near downtown.

St. PEte is less risky if you have a good water view location - it has better water views than tampa. OF course, St. Pete had the advantage of being more of a clean slate - but they did a very nice job. and then there is clearwater

Hi. I'm in the Old Northeast.

Phil

You know, I thought I had seen those some time ago. I thought they were taken down. Maybe not. Anyway, from what I hear; construction should be starting soon as Kessler Group recently presented the $120 million funding package to the city.

I was there in December 2006 and have a pic of the GB sign on the site right next to the new Progress Energy building.

we get a little downtown update newsletter every month in the mail, it actually has some real information in it. The GB hotel seems a go...ah, old northeast. I notice bayboro and the surrounding area has been well under way to become the next revitalized urban neighborhood...some of the houses are huge and it looks like something near bayshore, while right next door you can still see two old crack houses boarded up with chain link fence...im guessing the area down 2nd st s will become the commercial strip for these people moving back in to the neighborhood. Tampa and St. Petersburg should have some kind of urban SSC meeting in each city core for urban residents to meet others of same interests and also meet with the common fact we are all living in new and emerging urban cores and we need to take the flame away from the few NIMBYs that show up to complain about some of these developments and issues in both downtown areas that will decide their futures. phil, I live at the other end of DT at 4th Ave S and 1st Street across from the new progress energy center for the arts that is starting construction. I am guessing the ballpark was kept out of the urban park and will become private condos?

I always look forward to see projects in the Old NE newsletter. Great to hear about the Grand Bohemain in your recent newsletter!! The Grand Bohemian is going to be amazing. Love the lantern look. Where is BayBoro? Is the Progress Energy Park going away? I wasn't aware of that.

Bayboro is the area in and around the University of South Florida St. Petersburg Branch and Bayfront Hospital, it has the same style of homes as old northeast...its is an emerging downtown neighborhood. The Times actually did an article about how 60 homes that were priced at 359k+ and 90% of the buyers were African American breaking the fears of people in the burg that gentrification of the neighborhoods would move people around and the minority and also the poor were going to be lost in the shuffle. So far, they have built some mixed use projects where no one knows anothers income but could have paid much lower than market rate and its worked very well. They have also relocated a lot of people to modern urban mixed use condos in the gateway area too. The Bayboro area of downtown is home to USF, SRI, MTS, and Wikipedia(WikiMedia),and a growing number of popular technology based companies are under construction. The Barnes & Noble on 5th is considered the Bayboro area...

The Progress Energy Park is totally being redone and expanded into the largest urban park in Florida. The Mahaffey Theatre looks great and turned out very modern with the huge curved glass building side. The parking lot is being ripped up, the Progress Energy Ball Park will become a private condo project though, the bayfront arena has been gone for a while, I have seen little to no work on the new Dali....they have just installed new Progress Energy Park signs I am thinking have to do with the upcoming debate....I wish they could have done some plants and some permanent signs instead of the plywood/print look they have going now(it still looks nice for a sign, just a little flimsy). The Airport office building right near the new urban park has finished construction.

Digest

$170-million downtown project dies

By Times Staff Writer
Published September 2, 2007

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/09/02/Neighborhoodtimes/170_million_downtown_.shtml

ST. Petersburg

A plan for a $170-million mixed-use project at Fourth Street and Third Avenue N is officially dead. Atlanta-based Miles Development decided to pass on the deal before committing to buy the land, Jason Perry, Miles' vice president of development, said in a statement. "It's a great site, and it all came down to making the numbers work," he said. "Market conditions changed, and we just weren't able to put enough density on the site to make it economically feasible." Among other things, the plan called for a high-rise office building, a hotel and upscale grocery in several different phases. Miles recently opened its 114-unit 1010 Central condo project and in November will open the Sage, a 112-unit project southwest of downtown. The company also has plans for a 159-unit apartment building at 1701 Central next to Interstate 275.

Im sorry to hear this. I was really hoping for a nice market there. But, you know maybe that's a good thing if the quality and the design was going to be anything like 1010 Central. What were they thinking? 1010 Central is awful!

I read somewhere the other day about the Grand Bohemian St Pete. The number of condos has been reduced from 50 to 22. A new rendering is being drawn up to reflect fewer storiess. I was really hoping for a tall Grand Bohemian.

I read somewhere the other day about the Grand Bohemian St Pete. The number of condos has been reduced from 50 to 22. A new rendering is being drawn up to reflect fewer storiess. I was really hoping for a tall Grand Bohemian.

Damn. Kessler's limping down the homestretch.

hahahaha.... Well, at least that explains why I was being told sales sucked (by one of the actual salespeople who is an acquaintance), yet here we read in the paper they've obtained financing and are moving forward...

Now we know how... They downsized the project...

That's a shame. It was an interesting looking tower. Lets just hope it doewsn't turn in to the Bayway Lofts debacle part 2.

BTW I wonder if it will really be taller then the Progress Energy Office building? They still have that concrete side of the building to cover...

So, was the financing tied to a redesign ?

^Sounds like it to me... Get rid of the units that can't sell, and now the project is 'nearly sold out'... Looks much better on a loan application...

Hi guys:

I was driving by the The Arts location here in St Pete recently and noticed the lot now has signs up all around the block making it look like they might be starting construction on the first tower. Any one know for sure? I know we have been waiting a long, long time for the Grand Bohemian since they put the signs around that construction site. From what I understand, the GB is supposed to start construction (this time) in October. Keeping my fingers crossed.

I went to downtown St. Pete last night to catch a movie, though I didn't get any pictures, I saw Ovation has a tower crane and has the first floor done.

I was wondering about Ovation. That's great to hear.

Indeed - Ovation appears to have the first floor done and moving to the second floor . . .

Lots going on in St. Pete, though I am not sure Ovation will be a nice addition in terms of your Baywalk experience - it really shuts off the water.

^But it will bring in more retail, no? It doesn't have many units, but it should obviously help create yet more foot traffic... And I'm looking forward to some curvature in the DT skyline... Thus far, it is very boxy.

Just looking at the Fuel Group Tower that was proposed for Dt and it looks like they cut some floors off the project. Don't know if any news on this was announced already, but 1st time for me noticing it.

http://www.fuelgroupinternational.com/

Indeed - Ovation appears to have the first floor done and moving to the second floor . . .

Lots going on in St. Pete, though I am not sure Ovation will be a nice addition in terms of your Baywalk experience - it really shuts off the water.

Well, something blocking Baywalk's water view was bound to go there anyway unless Baywalk expanded there. To me it's not a huge deal, it's not like the complex was really built to utilize water views anyway IMO, and the sunset is not on that side of course. :)

^But it will bring in more retail, no? It doesn't have many units, but it should obviously help create yet more foot traffic... And I'm looking forward to some curvature in the DT skyline... Thus far, it is very boxy.

Yup, Ovation should be much more unique in the St. Pete skyline and fill the void there nicely in between the other towers there. The density is really becoming strong along Beach Drive and 1st St. Between Baywalk, Ovation, Parkshore, 400 Beach Dr., and the other towers it should be a very walkable urban area.

Jason, check your PMs too. :)

Speaking of Fuel.

http://blogs.tampabay.com/breakingnews/2007/10/city-council-de.html

St. Pete council denies developer's appeal on Westin hotel

The St. Petersburg City Council denied a developer's appeal and gave neighbors a victory against a planned 23-story hotel on the edge of downtown, but the battle may now go to court.

After Fuel Group International was denied twice this year by the Environmental Development Commission on the hotel and condominium project at First Street and Fifth Avenue N, the developer took its case to council, which praised the building but unanimously denied the project as bringing too much intensity in the wrong place.

Fuel Group attorney Ron Weaver said he plans to now take the case to circuit court. Like a similar Tampa case where a developer won in court, Fuel Group's project meets zoning rules but was denied on more subjective criteria.

Paul Swider, Times staff writer

They're going to get sued and lose. What irresponsible leadership, and a total waste of taxpayer dollars. Instead of pandering to a few dozen out of touch people at the expense of a city's tax base, city leaders should have been taking steps to educate those residents on why the benefits far outwiegh the negatives from a project like this, and that it's perfectly normal to see a ~250ft tall building barely 2000 feet away from the epicenter of the city. Moreover, people must live and play somewhere. If not in the city, then they will develop the countryside and the beaches. As the saying goes, be wise what you wish for, you just might get it.

^^ Well said, Jason.

Maybe if they started paying off these huge legal fees by deducting the revenue losses from the city leaders' pay, we might see a little less of this shortsighted b.s. Short of that remedy, it'll be business as usual at the taxpayers' expense. I hesitate in calling them "leaders"... :(

Back to the 2d DCA which ruled in favor of the Tampa developer. But it serves the council by getting votes for supporting the "little guy". Why do't they just change the zoning

^So, I guess it basically boils down to a shell game?... Spend some money... (the lost tax revenue from this project, legal fees, etc)... and buy some votes... (from the myopic types, who think you're standing up for the 'little guy', when what you're really doing is playing footsie with the redevelopment of downtown, to further your own political ambitions)... I guess taxpayers would be better off just giving these people their taxes directly, instead of laundering it through the bureaucracy, only to have it stolen anyways. (or misappropriated, which is the same thing)

Pretty simple - the neighborhood accociation brings the people in the are who care and vote.

The city councilman votes with them (and ensures getting their votes) knowning that he is probably going to lose in court

THe developer sues and the city wastes a bunch of (tax) money in a losing cause (enriching the wellconnected trial lawyers)

The court stides with the developer and the project goes ahead.

Everybody wins except the taxpayers. . .

Glad to see some new rental development.

Tyrone project approved despite strong opposition

Residents fail to sway the development panel's okay of Shoppes at The Royale.

By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA, Times Correspondent
Published October 7, 2007

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/10/07/Neighborhoodtimes/Tyrone_project_approv.shtml
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ST. PETERSBURG- Despite the impassioned pleas of more than two dozen residents on Wednesday, the Development Review Commission approved the construction of a five-story, 135-unit rental apartment building adjacent to the Crossroads neighborhood.

Failure in their effort to stop the project was a familiar experience for area residents, who unsuccessfully appealed approval of an earlier version of the project last April.

"I don't know what we will do now," said Carolyn Arnow, a neighbor who presented a lengthy traffic analysis that she said raised serious questions about the project's possible effect on her neighborhood.

Arnow asked the commission to deny any access to the site from 13th Avenue - a request the City Council denied in April. She also asked the commission to reject the proposed apartment building and require an independent traffic consultant to review the city's traffic study.

Arnow's comments were followed by testimony from dozens of residents who opposed the latest version of the project.

"It is much too big, much too hurriedly planned. The building will not attract Class A tenants," resident Morton Sherman said. "We have been ripped off."

The project the DRC considered on Wednesday was the third version. The original version, called Tyrone Crossings, included a town center with a mix of residential, retail, office and recreational uses.

A six-story building, in much the same location as the proposed rental apartments, was to have been a luxury condominium.

Then when the condominium market tanked, the project was redesigned, eliminating any residential component and adding a two-story Publix supermarket.

Residents liked the first version, but strongly opposed the second. Wednesday's third version was just as ardently fought by residents who fear their "quiet neighborhood" will be disrupted and devalued.

Teresa McDavid said she was afraid the redesigned project would attract "hookers and drugs".

Many residents said the apartment building, only 100 feet from the nearest single-family homes, would overshadow their neighborhood.

"I love my neighborhood. It is quiet, safe and beautiful. This plan is just a bad idea. This building is a monstrosity," said John Cautero.

Now called the Shoppes at The Royale, the entire project retains three existing buildings on the northern portion of the property - a 3,946-square-foot restaurant, a 2,650-square-foot medical office building and a five-story, 71,456-square-foot office building.

A two-story, 214,000-square-foot Publix supermarket will fill the center of the site, while the controversial apartment building will be located on the western side of the site.

"We have made big concessions on our project. I don't know what else we can do," said Les Porter, whose company, Porter Development, is redeveloping the block on 66th Street between 13th and 18th avenues N.

Porter said his team met with three neighborhood associations and worked closely with city planners to address neighborhood concerns.

"The intensity is far less than is allowed," stressed Ned Armstrong, attorney for the developer.

The city's planning staff recommended approval of Porter's project, saying that addition of rental residential would be "an exciting amenity for the Tyrone Center."

The entire project "should substantially further the revitalization of the Tyrone shopping district," the staff report concluded.

Teresa McDavid said she was afraid the redesigned project would attract "hookers and drugs".
LOL, are you kidding me? Is this why the people don't want this being built? Next it will be, we don't want condos because that'll bring in the rich people, know more retail because that will bring in tourists, and we don't want daycarses because we hate kids and fun.

These people are just whack. Sorry to burst your bubbles, but St. Pete will not always be in the 40's.

Great to see something different. Although it isn't something that will punch through the skyline, this is something that St. Pete needs I believe.

Is this for real?

A two-story, 214,000-square-foot Publix supermarket

That's huge. As in Super Wal-Mart huge. I don't see how you could make a grocery store that large.

What is the status on BRT for St. Pete ?

Hopefully something is happening. I imagine that Fed funding is contingent upon matching local funding... People around here don't get it, that's tax money we paid, that we don't get back unless we properly fund these projects.

Anyone hear anything lately about Tropicana Place? Is it still happening amidst the downturn in real estate? It seems the condos are doing fine downtown. So, I wonder. It would be great to know of a ground breaking. :) How about Grand Bohemian? Shouldn't that be breaking ground soon? Apparently, the purchase was completed. Have any links to the revised rendering? If so, could you post it here? Thanks!

Don't know about Tropicana Block. The Bohemian has gone through some changes due to market changes. Ovation is rising from the ashes though. I didn't know if a 27story building warranted it's own threat or not. Here's a site to watch it's progress if you're so inclined.:colgate:
http://www.ovationjmc.com/OurProgressFloridaLuxuryCondominiums.aspx

Looked like Signature is up to the 23rd floor tonight... Ovation is out of the ground, kinda working on the 2nd floor... The Bayfront expansion is chugging right along. Those tall hospital ceilings mean that even that building will serve to add to the skyline a wee bit.

Just as a matter of Trivia, Ovation is by the same architect that TTT was designed by, and in my opinion has some similarities.

On another note: Check out these renders of Tropicana from the architects website...

http://www.terra-archinternational.com/temp_images/Tropicana-View01.jpg

http://www.terra-archinternational.com/temp_images/Tropicana-View02.jpg

http://www.terra-archinternational.com/temp_images/Tropicana-View03.jpg

The tower with the round part looks great. The other tower, not so much so.

That first rendering looks so realistic. I almost forgot that the building is yet to be under construction. Or is already U/C? I haven't read up on this thread in a while. Sorry...

^Ovation is U/C, the project first mentioned in multifamilyinvestor's post, but the project in the renderinga aren't.

Tropicana will likely no go anywhere (like Venu in Tampa) - for at least a few years if ever

I moved the stadium discussion... and merged it with another one.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=545346

great city

Arts Center abandons condos, starts anew

http://blogs.tampabay.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/01/10/sp_281174_ho_artscentr_2.jpg
UPDATED

ST. PETERSBURG — The Arts Center could have been a victim of the current real estate crisis. Instead, it’s looking like a survivor.

The 90-year-old organization’s leaders announced today they have severed ties with the Arts, a planned two-tower high rise that touted as its centerpiece a grand 62,000-square foot Arts Center and museum devoted to the works of glass sculptor Dale Chihuly. The condo project leaders say it is still alive but stalled due to slow sales.

There will still be a new Arts Center, board chairman Terry Brett said at a news conference. Evelyn Craft, its executive director, said it will be smaller than first conceived, built on its current site at Central Avenue and Eighth Street. But it will still have the Chihuly museum, the only one of its kind in the world.

"We have a signed contract with the Chihuly organization,'' Brett said, "for a $6-million collection that will be owned and controlled by the Arts Center.''

It also has a new gift of $1-million from Bank of America Charitable Foundation, also announced today, the largest amount ever given to a Pinellas County organization by the bank, said Bernie Craig , Bank of America’s Pinellas County president.

For almost four years, the Arts Center has linked its growth to the Arts, a condominium project one block west of the center that was expected to open in 2008. The center, which serves more than 100,000 adults and children annually through educational programs and art exhibitions, would have occupied a historic bank on the property with new wings totaling about 62,000 square feet. Its star component was to be the Chihuly Collection, the first museum devoted to the monumental glass sculptures that have made Chihuly one of the most famous artists in the world.

Craft said that the slow real estate market was creating concerns about a construction schedule for the Arts Center. "Now we can control the schedule,'' she said. "The longer we went without progress, the more our supporters doubted the expansion would happen.''

They regrouped, coming up with an alternative that will enlarge and reconfigure their current footprint, adding about 20,000 square feet to its existing 30,000 square feet. It will include the Chihuly Collection; the Bank of America Children’s Learning Center; more gallery space for exhibitions; and a hot shop that will function as a studio for glass artists and a viewing center for visitors.

The redesign, Craft said, "will cost about $10-million,'' half of what was projected for the original expansion. With the $1-million gift and an earlier one from philanthropist Beth Morean of $8-million, Brett said construction will begin in September with a completion date in 2010.

Yaron David, managing director for the Arts, said, "We very much courted the Arts Center, though it was always a separate development, not part of ours. We were giving them a piece of land to build on. We always wanted to be adjacent to the Arts Center. Now we still are, we’ll just be separated by a crosswalk instead of a wall. And we didn’t have to give away any land.''

He hopes construction can begin on the 292-unit north tower in 2008 but it is contingent on sales, which at about 30 percent of the building, are 20 percent less than the typical industry number for a project to go forward.

The Tampa Bay Business Journal reported late last year that existing condominium sales fell 20 percent in the Tampa Bay area. The Arts is one of about 11 projects in some stage of development in downtown St. Petersburg, the majority of which have yet to break ground.

The Arts Center was also affected by more than the real estate market. Like all not-for-profits, its fundraising efforts have been hampered by the overall economic slowdown. Craft said that she and her board felt the new plan was realistic and allowed them to commit to a specific groundbreaking date. She said that during construction, the Arts Center will remain open.

- Lennie Bennett, Times staff writer

Rendering courtesy of Arts Center.

http://blogs.tampabay.com/breakingnews/2008/01/arts-center-aba.html

And another Florida highrise bites the dust. Nice cultural venue nonetheless.

^Read the article next time. Nothing is dead.

Yeah, sure.

What is the status on BRT for St. Pete ?

Don't know. But at least PSTA has a map for it. http://www.psta.net/PDF/BRTMap.pdf

Can't wait to see a rendering, for being out of the Downtown area, it is certainly one of the most noticed buildings in St Pete, as run down as it is....

New owner has lush vision for dreary apartments

Plaza Fifth Avenue will become Skyline Fifth after an extreme makeover.

By PAUL SWIDER, Times Staff Writer
Published February 6, 2008
ADVERTISEMENT
Breaking News Video

ST. PETERSBURG - Craig Knight aims to make his apartment project a catalyst for revitalizing the moribund and overpaved Central Plaza.

"We look at it as similar to the West Loop in Chicago," said Knight, of that city's Providence Management, which in 2006 paid $6.7-million for the Plaza Fifth Avenue apartment building.

"It was a transitional neighborhood that is now seeing an interesting regentrification."

The West Loop has seen old warehouse buildings turned into loft apartments and has become a hot spot for new businesses and offices.

Central Plaza could do likewise, which is why Knight is turning Plaza Fifth's 200 empty units into 178 Class A apartments.

"Sometimes people look at Central Plaza and think that's the way it has to be," said Tim Clemmons, who is doing the architecture for what will be renamed Skyline Fifth. "But an outsider says, 'Why?' "

The 12-story building dominates the air of Central Plaza. It was part of a 47-year-old development phase dating to when Central Plaza was the shopping district for the city. Commerce later moved west, then back east, but with the Grand Central District growing, Central Plaza may come back. Knight wants to house those choosing to live there.

They'll have to pay for it. After a top-to-bottom renovation, Skyline's rents will start around $1,000 a month for the smallest units, 700-square-foot one-bedrooms. But Knight says it will be worth it.

"We're taking this down to columns and slabs," he said. "There's not going to be any part of this building that will look, feel or taste like it was built in 1961."

Most startling about the renovation of the 190,000-square-foot building will be the seven two-story apartments on the top. Knight wanted to use the recessed 12th floor as living space, not as mechanical space, as it had been.

Clemmons said it was too expensive to extend the elevators, so the 11th-floor units will have stairs that run up to the extra level. The end units will have rooftop terraces measuring 12 by 34 feet.

"We call them townhomes in the sky," Knight said.

The ground-floor units will also be unique, with 15-foot ceilings in what had been designed as commercial space. Those on the west side will have private terraces that connect to a new pool.

The area around the building is soon to be home to a new Wal-Mart and has easy access to downtown, the beaches and Interstate 275, Knight said. The immediate grounds of the building are parking lots. The renovation will add some green space, but Knight said despite the asphalt, the views in the building are stunning.

From the top floors, you can see downtown, the Sunshine Skyway bridge, even the Don CeSar hotel in St. Pete Beach. The keen of sight can make out the gulf and the bay, but what lies in between, even from lower floors, is an expanse of trees.

"At four and five, you start to have incredible views," Knight said. "It feels like looking at Central Park from the Upper West Side."

Knight said that despite the $14-million rehab price tag, the apartments will make financial sense. Because his total cost is still less than that of a new building, rents will be competitive with the few comparable apartments left in the area, and less than mortgage payments for similarly appointed condos.

Skyline will not go condo, Knight said. Providence is an owner-operator of apartments and wants to stay that way. The company owns many rental units in the Midwest. It owns Lakeside Village on Fourth Street N. Providence also bought Portofino in North Tampa, an apartment building gone condo that the company has converted back to apartments.

The Skyline building was originally constructed as apartments for the elderly but later became low-income housing, Clemmons said. It sat empty for several years before Providence bought it.

"This was a very prominent building in its heyday," Knight said. "We want to return it to that status."

Paul Swider can be reached at pswider@sptimes.com or 892-2271.

[Last modified February 5, 2008, 20:00:50]

Tower's opening will include shop announcements
By Times Staff Writer
Published February 6, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG

New shop announcements will be part of the grand opening today of 400 Beach Drive, the 29-story condominium tower at Fifth Avenue N. In addition to the Robert Irvine restaurants Ooze and Schmooze, women's fashion store Coco Brazil has signed a lease for some of the 23,000 square feet of retail space, along with menswear store Sebastian Cole. Tenants for the remaining 12,000 square feet will be announced shortly, said John Hamilton of Beach Drive Retail, which also leases space in Parkshore Plaza. Nighttime visitors of the area also may have noticed new lights strung in the trees of Straub Park, something Hamilton said is being financed by Irvine to make the park a more inviting place at night.

http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/06/Neighborhoodtimes/Tower_s_opening_will_.shtml

Any movement on the Grand Bohemian ?

I haven't heard anything... Not like I know anyone involved with it anymore though.

Hadn't they whittled it down to like 22 condo units? Why not just get rid of the condos all together, add another 75 hotel rooms or whatever, and get on with it? Clearly DT St Pete will make increasing use of such hotels rooms in the coming years.

Yeah, I'd heard 22 units. What's so hard about selling 22 units over the better course of a year, even in a soft market ?

But, yeah, why not the hotel in any case. I agree.

Lo and behold, there is a blurb in this month's Florida Trend which indicates that the completion of the Grand Bohemian has been moved back to 'early 2010.' If true, look for action soon.

Does retail news go in the "Local Attractions and Entertainment" forum Jason?

Blog:

Irvine wrap-up

This just in on the Times' Breaking News blog. Essentially, Irvine's partner, Randall Williams, and John Hamilton of Beach Drive Retail issued a statement this afternoon announcing the plans have been scrapped for Ooze and Schmooze.

The question, of course, remains: What will become of the restaurant space planned for the ground floor of 400 Beach Drive, the new 29-story, condominium tower at Fifth Avenue N.?

I've heard that Ruth's Chris Steak House was initially interested in the space, but that their "dinner only" policy didn't meet the needs of Beach Drive Retail. Perhaps that will be revisited. And repeated rumors that Jeannie Pierola (formerly of Bern's) is interested in the space appear to be wishful thinking. She did indeed look at the space, but she appears to be pursuing a possible project in Tampa.

I have calls in to a passel of local restaurateurs to see if anyone is eagle-eyeing the space, but it wouldn't surprise me to see one of the big steak houses (Capital Grille, Shula's, etc.) making a play for it.

March 10, 2008 in Food News | Permalink

http://blogs.tampabay.com/dining/2008/03/irvine-wrap-up.html

St. Pete Beach's new commission will tackle development issues
By Nick Johnson, Times Staff Writer
Published Friday, March 14, 2008 7:53 PM

Shortly after taking the oath of office Tuesday, two new commissioners and a new mayor will be faced with the city's most controversial issue, the legal battle over pro-development petition items.

Newly elected Commissioners Allan Halpern and Christopher Leonard will be sworn in and Commissioner Mike Finnerty will take the seat of Mayor Ward Friszolowski.

Next the commission will likely hear a presentation from attorney Thomas W. Reese on options after Circuit Judge David A. Demers' order last Thursday.

Demers ruled that the city must hold an election for the six petition items brought by the political group Save Our Little Village. The current commission failed to put the items to a vote within the 90-day time period outlined by the city's charter.

Members argued that voter approval of the items, one of which is an amended comprehensive plan aimed at spurring development, would violate the process outlined by the Florida Growth Management Act for creating them.

"It's not that the city's position is that it is not entitled to a referendum. It's when?" Reese said.

But Demers' order states "the proposed ordinances would do nothing more than require that the process contemplated by the Growth Management Act be initiated and pursued."

The order is stayed until March 24, giving the new commission little time to decide whether to appeal the decision or put the items to a vote.

"I don't want to appeal. They can go on the ballot and let the people decide," Finnerty said.

However, the city charter also requires residents to vote on any changes to a comprehensive plan, leaving another question unanswered. If the residents approve the petitions and they are put through the Growth Management Process, where changes occur, would another vote be required?

The commission attempted to head off this problem by sending the SOLV comprehensive plan to its planning board for review last month. Reese suggested this as the first step toward initiating the process and sending the items to referendum vote.

"I don't think you can just put it on a ballot. I think that would be bad for all communities going forward and I don't think that's anyone's intention," Commissioner Linda Chaney said. "I think it would increase their chances of having it approved if they had a chance for public input."

Among others, Chaney argues that putting SOLV's comprehensive plan straight on the ballot would open the floodgates, allowing other political groups to do the same.

SOLV chairwoman Lorraine Huhn previously called the commission's decision to send the items to the city's planning board "stall tactics." Huhn was hesitant to comment on the decision other than saying SOLV was "quite pleased."

William Pyle, the beach resident who bankrolled an opposing political group, Citizens For Responsible Growth, could also play a part in the future of the petitions.

Pyle intervened in the SOLV case on the basis that he would be adversely affected by the petition items.

"No decisions have been made and we're looking at all the options," said attorney Anthony S. Battaglia, who represents Pyle.

Nick Johnson can be reached at nickjohnson@sptimes.com or 893-8361.

[Last modified Monday, March 17, 2008 3:27 PM]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/article417713.ece

St. Pete Beach will vote on development issues
By Nick Johnson, Times Staff Writer
Published Friday, March 21, 2008 2:18 PM

A new commission elected on promises of compromise over the city's development issues has delivered.

Within hours of being sworn in, Mayor Michael Finnerty and Commissioners Alan Halpern and Christopher Leonard were faced with a presentation on the lawsuit surrounding the Save Our Little Village political group's petitions.

The commission agreed unanimously to try and settle with SOLV and schedule an election for the petition items, which include an amended comprehensive plan.

The agreement followed an order from Circuit Judge David A. Demers on March 13, requiring that the city hold an election on the petition items and setting another hearing this Monday.

The previous commission had refused to put the items to vote, arguing that comprehensive plans cannot be passed by a referendum vote and expressing concerns about the increases in building height and density that it contained.

"We've got a judge's decision that it should go to voters and it's in our charter," Finnerty said, referring to the charter requirement that petition items be voted on within 90 days.

"This is the first real test, I guess, as to how people within our city feel about height and density."

City Attorney Ralf Brookes, City Manager Mike Bonfield and Commissioner Harry Metz met with SOLV on Wednesday to discuss a settlement agreement.

A main concern over the petition items has been how to implement them. Comprehensive plans usually go through a series of local and state planning agencies before they are finalized and there's an additional requirement in the city's charter that any changes to the city's comprehensive plan be voted on by residents.

"We've been successful so far, in finding ways that we could agree to implement the proposed ordinances," attorney Robert K. Lincoln, who represents SOLV, said. "These are the kinds of things that could have been worked out 90 or 120 days ago, if the city would have gotten involved as soon as the petitions were turned in."

Instead the city has ended up in court with two lawsuits filed by SOLV, leading to mounting attorney's fees and arguments over development that weighed heavily on the last commission.

"We need to get it over with and get back to basic business in the city," Metz said.

Now Brookes and Lincoln are working on a settlement in hopes that the judge will give them an extension on Monday, to finalize the details.

It remains to be seen when the elections will be held, but the date of May 20 has been suggested.

That would give the city enough time to organize an election for the SOLV items and several other pending comprehensive plan changes that need to be voted on.

If the SOLV items are approved, they would likely go to the local and state planning agencies before returning to the residents for final approval.

The judge will also hear from St. Pete Beach resident William Pyle's attorneys at Monday's hearing.

Pyle, who funds the city's rival political group, Citizens for Responsible Growth, intervened in the first SOLV case last year.

Nick Johnson can be reached at

nickjohnson@sptimes.com or 893-8361.

[Last modified Friday, March 21, 2008 3:36 PM]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/article427145.ece

The referendum will be about changes tot he comprehensive plan that will test locals' appetite for height and density... But unfortunately, we don't know what those changes are exactly.

New Dali Museum unveiled

http://blogs.tampabay.com/breakingnews/images/2008/04/17/dalirender420_3.jpg

ST. PETERSBURG--The City Council approved the initial designs for the Salvador Dali Museum’s new building Thursday.

Dubbed Placa Dali, the avant-garde waterfront structure will feature a cascading river of glass spilling out from the center of an unadorned, three story building. The glass, which the museum is calling the "Engima," will serve as both entrance and skylight to the main structure, called the "Treasure Box."

The Engima will mimic the shape of a helical staircase that will spiral 28 feet from the ground floor to the museum's main third level gallery. Dali's work was heavily influenced by the discovery of DNA and the double helix in the 1950's.

Placa Dali will also include a 31,000 square foot elevated plaza near the building's entrance that will be used for outdoor dining and museum events.

Already, city leaders are comparing the building's design to the Louvre Museum in Paris.

"It is an excellent addition to our waterfront," said Council Member Jeff Danner.

Others said they were unsure what to make of it, even as they praised the unique design.

"It is exquisite," said Council Chair Jamie Bennett.

"You expect it to be odd," he added later. "It kinda looks like a blob."

Placa Dali will house the museum’s permanent collection, as well as a cafe, gift shop and sculpture garden. It will be able to withstand 165 miles per hour winds.

Construction on the new museum, located across from the Mahaffey Theater, is scheduled to begin in the fall. Placa Dali is slated to open in 2010.

--Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer

Hmmm.......... even tho it looks interesting, im not sure about the design.

Developer plans downtown St. Petersburg hotel
By Kris Hundley, Times Staff Writer
Published Monday, April 28, 2008 7:26 PM

Menna Development is building a 120-room, extended-stay, all-suite hotel in downtown St. Petersburg. The Clearwater developer will be breaking ground soon on the six-story property at the northwest corner of Ninth Street and Fifth Avenue S, with completion expected in fall 2009. Terry Welker, director of operations with Menna Development, said the hotel would carry the name of a major chain but declined to say which one. Menna currently operates three hotels in the Tampa Bay area, including two extended-stay Residence Inns. It also has a Marriott hotel being renovated and two other projects under development.

[Last modified: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 11:10 AM]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/article477650.ece

I'm surprised St. Pete hasn't built more hotels in downtown. It certainly is a good tourist destination.

I'm with you. IMO, St Pete sorely needs them and DT can support a lot more than they have.

Looks like The Arts have lowered floor count and raised building height.



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jesse Landis
Paradise Advertising & Marketing
727.821.5155 (x106)
jesse@paradiseadv.com




850,000 Square-Foot Residential Arts Community
to be Built in Downtown St. Petersburg

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (May 5, 2008) -- Developers of what will become a first-of-its-kind residential arts community have announced plans for a major $250 million mixed-use, art-themed development in downtown St. Petersburg to be known as The Arts. The 5-acre site will encompass two luxury high-rise condominium towers, lighted tennis courts on one-acre amenity decks overlooking the city, 24-hour concierge and security, infinity edge pool, magnificent two-story lobby, resident theater, recreation center, full stainless steel appliance packages, granite countertops, private fitness center, kayak/bike storage, high-speed elevators, retail space, office/meeting space, creative exhibits, exotic landscaping, rooftop courtyard, art studios for instructional classes and demonstrations, and several other art-related components within St. Petersburg’s non-profit Arts Center, including a permanent collection of artwork by renowned artist Dale Chihuly as well as a state-of-the-art glass blowing facility.

At 397 feet, the two 31-story towers will be the highest points in St. Petersburg. The Arts will include 503 luxurious residential units totaling over 850,000 square feet incorporating approximately 50,000 square feet of retail space. Anchored by the new celebrated facility for the Arts Center, The Arts is scheduled to open in the beginning of 2009 and will be located over two city blocks on Central Avenue (a main corridor of the downtown area) between Eighth Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street. The sales center is open. Condos are available in various styles including large urban studios (w/ den), 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units (all with terraces), starting in the low-$200s.

The Arts is being developed by Europe-based, publicly traded B.S.R. Group, Ltd. in partnership with St. Petersburg developer Jimmy Aviram’s ANB Enterprises. In addition to The Arts, Aviram has been a partner in the development projects of Ovation, Parkshore, and 400 Beach. The B.S.R. Group has over 40 years experience in real estate development and project management with business in Philadelphia, Las Vegas, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, and Israel.

“We’re offering a lifestyle that appreciates and cultivates artistic expression,” said Aviram. “In addition to a home, the development will be a celebration of the artistic values of St. Petersburg – an epicenter for creative work and culture.”

For further information, renderings, or interviews, please contact Jesse Landis at 727.821.5155 (x106) or jesse@paradiseadv.com.
-30-


http://theartsofstpete.com/documents/The_Arts_development_announcement-1.doc

I wonder what portion will be complete in a year or less, as the article indicates. Also, what is the nature of the use of space that the Arts Center is taking in the project? I thought they had separated themselves from this project?

Also, 397ft sounds decent... Too bad they can't crack 450ft or 500ft though. St Pete's skyline is quickly going to get boxy looking on the horizon, unless they allow a little height, and the best place to do it is further inland, towards the center of DT as it will inevitably grow over the course of many years. Hopefully, the design will be interesting, and offer an appropriate visual contrast to the existing vernacular, while establishing a new standard for environmental responsibility in ST Pete's highrise development.

Seems like a nice project for St. Pete, however I am a little surprised of a new condo proposal(especially its size) given the current housing market debacle.

^It's not new, it's a couple years old and has simply been redesigned.

^^ Oop's my bad, I must have missed this one. Perhaps, a new project will be announced later this year that may indeed break the 400' threshold for the St. Pete. skyline.

I would say I'm surprised they have the balls to go with this. Maybe they'll do this in phases. They said The Arts would be done by next year, but certainly that's impossible. So they'll have time to see how the economy is by then and decide to build or not. Remembering the render, I seemed to have liked the project. Espicially with it bisected by the street which gives it a nice interaction. This is also like a couple blocks east of Tropicana, right?

I don't see how this thing can open next year unless it's the new Arts Center that will open next year, and the condos built later. I was hoping they'd go forth as rental to get it built, and convert to condos later. Although, this is kind of a unique project. It might generate enough interest to sell during these tough times.

double post

From this news story on March 28 of this year- source:http://www.stpete.org/news/032508.htm

Construction of the Chihuly Exhibit "is scheduled to begin in September, 2008 and be completed by spring, 2010."

Sorry if this article has already been posted


CONTACT: Beth Herendeen, (727) 893-7465

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

See photos from the signing ceremony


MAYOR, ARTS CENTER, CHIHULY SIGN RECOMMITMENT
FOR NEW CHIHULY COLLECTION
Also Show Building Renderings and Announce Timetable for Construction

St. Petersburg, Fla. (March 25, 2008) – Today at the Chihuly Studio in Seattle, Wa., St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, Dale Chihuly and The Arts Center of St. Petersburg officials signed a recommitment to bring a world-class permanent collection of Dale Chihuly’s Artwork to The Arts Center of St. Petersburg.

The purpose of the visit is to confirm the parties’ desire to establish the Chihuly Collection of exceptional artworks at the Arts Center of St. Petersburg; to obtain Dale Chihuly’s agreement to establish the collection in a new building to be constructed on the present site of the Arts Center; to view Artworks that are representative of those to be housed in the new collection; to display architectural renderings of the new Arts Center; and to announce the anticipated construction for the new Center.

The Chihuly Collection will be housed in a new 32,000 square foot new wing at The Arts Center, Central Avenue, 719 Central Ave. Construction is scheduled to begin in September, 2008 and be completed by spring, 2010.

The Collection will include –site-specific installations, such as chandeliers and garden installations as well a setworks and drawings . Visitors will enter the Chihuly Collection under a multi-colored Persian glass ceiling. A beautiful reflecting pool with Niijima Floats will be seen from the second floor walkway en route to an observation deck overlooking the glassblowing hotshop floor, where master glass artists will demonstrate the art of blowing glass for viewers. There will also be a café and a retail store featuring Chihuly Edition glass, publications, and related items.

“St. Petersburg continues to build on a growing worldwide reputation as Florida’s center of the arts,” said Mayor Rick Baker. He referred to other recent arts expansions, such as the announcement of a new Dali Museum at a growing Progress Energy Center for the Arts, the newly completed expansion of the Museum of Fine Arts, completion of the new Florida Orchestra headquarters, renovation of the Mahaffey Theater, a new theater under construction for the American Stage, a concentration of six downtown museums, and a thriving collection of art galleries. “We welcome Dale Chihuly back to St. Petersburg to establish a permanent home for some of the most dynamic artwork in the world.”

During today’s visit, Mayor Baker presented Dale Chihuly with two gifts from the children of St. Petersburg. Students from the Arts Center created a book of letters and drawings, and also created a sculptural piece incorporating glass created by children from five different geographical regions of St. Petersburg.

"What has brought us to this point today is the continued, enthusiastic support of Mayor Rick Baker," says Terry Brett, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arts Center of St. Petersburg. "In his years as Mayor and as a longtime resident," Brett continues, "Mayor Baker has displayed genuine and consistent interest in nurturing the arts as an integral part of what makes the City of St. Petersburg special to all of us."

Evelyn Craft, executive director of the Arts Center, thanked Mayor Baker for accepting the group’s invitation to attend the signing, saying “We are fortunate that our city continues to support the Arts Center and our fellow cultural organizations that together make St. Petersburg such a dynamic city of the arts.”



-end-

Does anyone remember this: http://www.sptimes.com/2006/03/19/skyline/

I know its old, but it is STILL on the homepage of the st. pete chamber of commerce website. I only see plots around downtown for a few of those that have not already been built.

When I drove past the plot for the arts I noticed something odd. That project has been 2 buildings for as long as I have known about it. The render shown on the fence is definitely only one building and it looks different than what I have seen on here...there are no setbacks on the fence render.

The sign for the edge is still there, plus some equipment and storage containers and a lot of bundled pipes sitting out. Anything doing there? Its a nice looking building.

The Ovation is currently on 15...but it seems like it took a couple weeks from 13 to 15?

Signature is definitely not taller that BOA BUT very close. Someone on the signature thread said the BOA was taller from every angle. Thats not true from Demens Landing so I would think they are actually very close.

Lastly, my camera has disappeared, but I noticed that no one has taken pictures from the BayWalk parking garage. You cannot drive up all the way but you can definitely walk up to the top and there are some great views, especially comparing sig and BOA and its right above Ovation. Should check it out!

"The Arts" project has had that single image tower on the fence for a while now.

The Edge Tower is DOA, anything that the company had left was sold as erinmedia(a way to measure viewing habits right off your digital cable box/viewing habits for advertisers, this tower even had technology to help and assist what type of adverts to throw at the owners) to Nielsen Media Research...

are there any builders out there anymore that AREN'T interested in building just luxury high rises?

how bout some for the middle class?

Its all about the benjamins, thats why. Although its kind of stupid since there is a large middle class market out there.

Its all about the benjamins, thats why. Although its kind of stupid since there is a large middle class market out there.

exactly!

and you would think a local developer might want to do it, just because it would improve the city!

are there any builders out there anymore that AREN'T interested in building just luxury high rises?

how bout some for the middle class?

Thank the zoning codes and lack of leadership as much as developers pushed by perpetually greedy and myopic investors.

Thank the zoning codes and lack of leadership as much as developers pushed by perpetually greedy and myopic investors.

That is the best one line quote of Florida development I have seen over the past 15 years. Nice.

15 years?? Try 50 my friend!

15 years?? Try 50 my friend!




so true

the Arts centre


http://www.alfonsoarchitects.com/images-news/Arts%20center-02.jpg
http://www.alfonsoarchitects.com/images-news/Arts%20center-03.jpg
http://www.alfonsoarchitects.com/images-news/Arts%20center-01.jpg

Even with a single tower I guess its nice infill.

Though we can't really see the tower well, it certainly is different than the original design.

according to DNA (downtown neighborhood associations) the old office part of the project across from this site with the historic building is now going to turn mixed-use office tower...anyone else have any details? It seems The Bohemian is dead to me, nothing even happening and dates missed. What is the dirt lot that now sits next to the catholic church on 4th Street near Williams park across from the Florida International Museums expansion tower under construction?

So Kessler has the hotel - and a lousy 22 condos to sell - and he still can't get it done ?

For the first time in over a year, (May 4th, 2007 to be exact) I've made an update of the list in the first post. I still have to add and fix a few more things, but before I do it would be appreciated if anyone could give updates on some of the projects that don't have a whole lot of info on the list, like:

Tamarind On Central
La Vista
Bayway Lofts
The Vanguard
The Winward
All Children's Hospital Expansion
Plaza on Fifth Ave
1010 Central

Any errors anyone catches would be appreciated as well. :)

Tamarind On Central - Site being redeveloped
La Vista - Dead
Bayway Lofts - Dead
The Vanguard - Dead
The Winward - Stalled
All Children's Hospital Expansion - U/C Painting
Plaza on Fifth Ave - Complete, nice waterfall
1010 Central - Complete

as to the Bohemian Hotel...the site is in the center of the CBD and once housed Maas Brothers and then the Florida International Museum. It is really sad to see a dirt lot still in the center of downtown after all of these years and still just end up with a nice view of the back of progress energy on 2nd, just a huge concrete wall

^Thanks. :)

I think the Grand Bohemian project will get built. It should go forth as 100% hotel. But, then again, I don't know the financials for that project. Pretty sad they can't get 22 condos sold.

I don't understand either.

My wild guess would be the supply of waterfront units is gobbling up the market in this price range.

IDK, it certainly seems by the pic on their front page, that they have redesigned the tower, mainly the base. So judging by that, it looks like they are still serious about the project.

I bet it will have to get built with a 4 or 5 star brand...doesnt the city have a say in this because of the initial deal and maybe some deadlines if I recall?

Thank you for your interest in Grand Bohemian Hotel and Residences.



This is a rare opportunity to own a piece of the Kessler Collection of luxury properties.



Beginning on the 23rd floor of this world class architectural masterpiece, the 22 Grand Bohemian residences, with thoughtfully designed spaces and exquisitely detailed finishes, will each offer sweeping city and bay views. We are anticipating ground breaking in November, 2008.



Live in the premier destination for art, music and entertainment just steps away from the sparkling waters of Tampa Bay in the vibrant city center of St. Petersburg , Florida .



Please review the attached information at your leisure.



To learn more please call David Greenlees at 866-630-4530 or 727-821-4530

Or visit our website at: www.GrandBohemianResidences.com



Prices range from the $500,000 to over $2 million.

Got this in a email

I do hope this comes to downtown St Pete. But, there have been so many announcements of ground breaking. I'll belive it when I see it!!

Has anyone heard of any news on the Triann Tower? Wasn't it approved?

St. Pete Beach redevelopment rules closer to reality
In print: Sunday, August 17, 2008

ST. PETE BEACH — The City Commission took yet another step Tuesday along a long and complicated path to implement the city's new voter-approved redevelopment regulations.

Voters amended the city comprehensive plan in June, creating a special community redevelopment district, as well as establishing a large resort section of the city's land development code. The voter-approved ordinances also changed the city's general standards for redevelopment and the city's Town Center core development regulations.

Under state law, the proposed Community Redevelopment Plan, which includes the items approved by voters, requires a series of additional approvals before it can go into effect.

In its role as the Community Redevelopment Agency on Tuesday, the commission approved the Planning Board's analysis comparing the controversial voter-approved community redevelopment plan and the city's comprehensive plan.

For each of the comprehensive plan goals, objectives and policies, the analysis listed how they would be implemented by particular chapters and sections within the proposed redevelopment regulations.

Next, the Pinellas County Commission will consider the proposal, an action the city administration does not believe will be completed much before the end of the year.

If approved by the county, the proposed redevelopment regulations must go back to voters.

The proposed redevelopment plan is part of a larger package of planning initiatives that were submitted to the city via voter petitions last year by a citizen's group, Save Our Little Village.

The SOLV petitions, along with amendments to the city's comprehensive plan, were approved by voters in June with the expectation they would become part of the city's comprehensive plan and new land development regulations.

The city agreed to that provision in a settlement of a lawsuit filed by SOLV before the June election.

Meanwhile, the plan continues to be opposed by members of Citizens for Responsible Growth, which unsuccessfully fought to prevent the SOLV-initiated referendum election.

Bill Pyle, a major financial supporter of a political action group, again spoke out against the redevelopment plan at Tuesday's commission meeting.

An unsuccessful lawsuit by Pyle claimed the proposed development rules would result in a "drastic increase" in building heights in some areas of the city "from 50 feet to 146 feet and increase density from 30 units an acre to 75 or more units an acre along the city's beaches."

He repeated this previous criticism Tuesday, calling the SOLV changes "substantial rezoning that took place without knowledge of citizenry."

Commissioners Linda Chaney and Harry Metz (who were CRG organizers and supporters) opposed sending the consistency report to the county.

"You already agreed to do this in your settlement agreement," reminded City Manager Mike Bonfield.

Chaney countered, however, that she was not comfortable with the details of the plan. Metz said the proposed plan fails to meet city charter requirements.

"I would like to put this forward and do what we are obligated to do by the state," said Mayor Michael Finnerty.

Commissioners Al Halpern and Christopher Leonard joined Finnerty in approving the consistency report and then authorizing the proposed redevelopment plan for the city's proposed community redevelopment area to be submitted to the County Commission, which will review the plan for consistency with the county's comprehensive plan.

[Last modified: Aug 16, 2008 04:36 AM]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/article772711.ece

The tower was approved. Who knows??

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/realestate/article855278.ece

Its recent record of bankruptcies, broken contracts and busted lenders aside, the Tampa Bay area's condo tower market still has a pulse on the St. Petersburg waterfront.

As all-but-dead projects like Trump Tower Tampa hold off creditors in bankruptcy court, Ovation in downtown St. Petersburg will spend the week pouring concrete for its final — 27th — floor at Beach Drive and Second Avenue NE.

The $85-million building offers 45 units ranging from about $1.2-million to $4.4-million. Despite the high prices, two-thirds have sold.

"Amazingly, September was an excellent month. We had three new sales," said Mike Cheezem, president of JMC Communities, the project's builder/developer.

A few blocks away at 100 First Ave. S, Signature Place has sold about 200 of 246 units for an average of about $700,000. Best-selling novelist Michael Connelly snagged a unit. So did rock star David Bowie's manager.

Signature's big-time architect, Chicago's Ralph Johnson, arrived in St. Petersburg this week to catch his first live glimpse of his handiwork in six months. The 36 stories of the narrow, sail-shaped building make it the highest residential tower in Pinellas County. Every unit has a water view.

"No one wants to be on the back of the building. So we don't have a back of the building," Signature sales director Debbie Newman said.

It's enough to make a Florida condo developer grit his teeth in envy. That's because much of the state's condo market is in meltdown. Tens of thousands of vacant units beg for buyers. Prices are suffering accordingly.

How did Ovation and Signature buck those trends in tandem? Developers suggest it was their hot locations close to the water in an increasingly pedestrian-friendly downtown.

Their choice of financiers — Bank of America for Ovation, Fifth Third Bank for Signature — has kept them out of the turmoil swirling around Wachovia and Lehman Brothers.

Both towers offer designs that appeal to an affluent clientele, backed by businessmen who largely sidestepped selling to fickle investors.

"Our people look at this as their last home. They want to live here the rest of their lives," Cheezem said.

Ovation and Signature plan spring 2009 grand openings.



[Last modified: Oct 15, 2008 03:11 PM]

"Both towers offer designs that appeal to an affluent clientele, backed by businessmen who largely sidestepped selling to fickle investors."

Isn't it amazing how successful you'll be by:
1. Designing attractive and innovative buildings (the lanais on Ovation are huge compared to what is typical and Signature is just fantastic looking).
2. Being responsible and screening your clients.

Just two simple concepts and yet so many other developers were too busy chasing that fast buck.

Hopefully this will encourage more projects soon.

^^I wouldn't count on any big projects anytime soon.

Looks like the Grand Bohemian is still interested in building the hotel portion of their project. Agenda 4 in this document.

http://www.stpete.org/development/development_review_commission/docs/drcagenda.pdf

Anyone know what Agenda 2 project is? Is that the ugly office tower we saw before?

Anyone know what Agenda 2 project is? Is that the ugly office tower we saw before?

I *think* it is.

I *think* it is.
Great! :mad:

According to records from the March 4th Development Board, Rojo Architecture from Tampa has proposed a 12 story, 68 unit residential project at 801 3rd Ave. North in St. Petersburg. I went on Google Maps to find the location, and going off what it said, looks like this project is just north of Mirrow Lake. Now, if someone has any knowledge of this, with the records it sayd the the applicant has requested floor area ration bonuses, workhouse housing density bonuses, and additional building height. Of course I know what the last part means, but the first 2 catch me off guards.

http://www.stpete.org/development/docs/drcagenda.pdf

I met the guys from Rojo! They had a good design for the Brandon Community Advantage Center. I dunno if they got picked though. I'm pretty sure they're going with Mullen. That was the best design... I digress, they're a good architect team.

Checking on the Miles Development Partners website, and I have done this in the past, their proposal "1701 Central" says that construction will begin in the Spring of this year. Now I don't know if this has been up for some time that the market has postponed the project and we just don't know about it, but I'll email them to find out.

Here's a rendering aswell of the project:

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/7834/1701central.jpg

This project has been out there for a while, and I think it was postponed due to the market. This will be the second rental project going up in that area. Zaremba has started construction on Fusion 1560 to the southeast. Both should add a nice boost of residents to that stretch of Central Avenue and set the tone for what I think Central Avenue should be.

Orlando firm buys St. Pete high-rise for $1.6M
Tuesday, March 17, 2009, 8:29am EDT | Modified: Tuesday, March 17, 2009, 8:33am
Tampa Bay Business Journal

Elevation Properties LLC acquired a 17-story senior high-rise apartment community near the Boca Ciega Bay for $1.6 million.

Orlando-based Elevation Properties on March 11 closed on the deal for the 210-unit Bethany Towers in South Pasadena from Bethany Housing Inc.

Elevation Properties received backing from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to purchase and manage the facility, which the firm plans to rename Serenity Towers, according to a news release.

Elevation Properties plans to begin a year-long renovation of the 140,000-square-foot property to update its mechanical systems, replace windows, modernize common areas and improve the unit interiors, the release said.

Elevation Properties focuses on the investment, renovation and preservation of affordable housing in Florida.

http://tampabay.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2009/03/16/daily16.html?surround=lfn

^ Yikes, how big of a dump was this place? They paid $7,600/unit. A significant number (all?) have water views. They could rent those out for like $50 a month and turn a profit.

A lot of those senior houses are shitty. Then again looking for rentals I find many 55+ places are nicer than regular ones for the same price.

It also talks about the Water's Edge Condo in Clearwater, but was more focused on St. Pete so I'll post it here

Pinellas condos' fate not tied to developer Opus South's bankruptcy
By Mike Brassfield and Stephen Nohlgren, Times Staff Writers
In Print: Friday, April 24, 2009

A prominent Atlanta developer headed for bankruptcy court this week, casting uncertainty over two high-end Pinellas condo projects.

But those familiar with Tampa real estate say market forces, not Opus South's credit woes, will determine the fate of its Pinellas properties, which face different challenges.

Water's Edge, a $100 million high-rise in downtown Clearwater, sits nearly empty. Only 10 of 153 units have sold, a hefty drag on Clearwater's downtown market.

On St. Petersburg's waterfront, 400 Beach Drive is 80 percent sold, property records show. Prices have softened, but not collapsed, as they have in South Florida and at Tampa's Channelside.

The Opus Group, based in Minneapolis, develops office, commercial and institutional projects all over the county. Its Opus South subsidiary has built high-end Florida condos, including St. Petersburg's Park Shore Place, which is sold out.

Opus stopped initiating condo projects two years ago because of the economic slowdown, spokeswoman Winston Hewett said, "but no one anticipated that we would see an absolute shutdown of the capital and refinancing markets."

When loans came due on projects already in the pipeline, Opus could not refinance, she said. It now owes $324 million in past-due loans.

Water's Edge, the tallest building in downtown Clearwater, took a big bite of that. It has stunning water views, upscale amenities and virtually no residents.

By January 2008, Opus had contracts and down payments for 109 of the 153 units. Then disaster: A legal glitch voided all contracts. With the condo market slumping, buyers took their deposits and walked.

Since Water's Edge opened in September, only 10 condos have sold; the average unit costs $750,000.

It's too early to tell what will happen with the property, Hewett said. But Opus intends to leave the condo market.

"It'll be like every other property the bank takes over," said Clearwater developer Guy Bonneville. "They'll auction it off, sell it for what they can get, and get it off their books."

If that happens, it could shake up Clearwater's condo market. A neighboring high-rise, Station Square, is also largely empty and is putting units up for rent.

Bonneville is building a condo tower called the Strand at Clearwater Centre. He now plans to slow down construction and not open until late 2010, hoping for an economic rebound.

In St. Petersburg, Opus South has sold all but 19 of 400 Beach Drive's 93 units.

The most recent sale was last month, when a 3,306-square-foot condo went for $1.2 million. In June, a same-sized unit sold for $1.345 million.

A company run by Pinellas developer Jimmy Aviram is listing a 2,597-square-footer for sale at $995,000. His company bought it in December for $1,175 million, property records show.

Aviram could not be reached for comment, but Joel Cantor, who is finishing out Signature Place at the south end of Beach Drive, said his research shows that St. Petersburg's waterfront row condos are selling about 17 percent off their 2006 peak.

Signature has contracts for about 80 percent of its 244 units, Cantor said, with closings due to start in June.

This month, Signature announced a 25 percent discount off sale prices, which averaged $700,000, and has already sold eight new units.

The discount, which Cantor's lender will help underwrite by reducing his obligation, also applies to people who already signed contracts. That's to keep them from bolting, Cantor said.

[Last modified: Apr 24, 2009 01:06 AM]

What pissed me off again was the comments by a "concerned resident". Karl states, "Signature was designed so that the Rays' owners and their pals could look down on their new $500 million toy baseball stadium." Karl, please join the rest of the NIMBY's in Bayshore and the idiots on Harbour Island.

A shame about Water's Edge. That's by far the nicest (and tallest) looking tower in downtown Clearwater. It really turned that skyline from a collection of slabs and midrises to a skyline.

Yea Waters Edge took downtown Clearwater from being a crappy place to it looking like its something worth stopping by. However it is very empty but so is downtown Clearwater so it's not surprising. Unlike St.Pete or Tampa, downtown Clearwater has little importance, few businesses, and the location with the beaches aside is not so great, worst part is no highway!

Moved post to Photo thread

If there is one thing that I could compliment St. Pete, and there is more than one thing, it's the fact that they have kept many good looking historical buildings. I have been to St. Pete about 20 times and yesterday was the first time that realized how many historical buildings there were still standing in the city.

Also, I think it's the Progress Energy building, there was soem work there that I didn't think of taking pictures of. They had a crane and was doing something to the roof. Maybe moving something up there. IDK. And the lot east of it was still fenced off which I believe is the location for the condo project, right? They have put a green color sheet all around it now, but I wouldn't say that is any speculation that construction will be starting soon. Although I wouldn't be 100% surprised if they did start construction.

About the Pier now, it was dead yesterday. Maybe it was just the time, which I was there from 4 pm to 5:30, but you could hardly find anyone there at all. Even many of the shop owners looked bored just reasting their heads on their counters. The restaurant on top had about 7 people eating there and the "food court" had just 3 people eating there. And Baywalk was pretty much empty as well. Seriously, I didn't know it was that bad and thought the city was just blowing it out of proportions, but they aren't.

And finally I like the pool area for Signature. Actually looks like something you would find in L.A.

Development Review Meeting from this past Wednesday.

http://www.stpete.org/development/development_review_commission/docs/drcagenda.pdf

I'm guessing #8 is due to the residents near by. :ohno:

I don't have a problem with it... Tall buildings on the waterfront block the view from other buildings behind them... An increase in building height over perhaps 3 blocks leading away from the waterfront results in a better looking skyline and many more residents having a waterfront view.

That's just to block a potential stadium - whatever.

I don't have a problem with it... Tall buildings on the waterfront block the view from other buildings behind them... An increase in building height over perhaps 3 blocks leading away from the waterfront results in a better looking skyline and many more residents having a waterfront view.
I think the city of St. Pete should make a map like Jason did for the Channelside area. Have Zone A with ?? ft-??? ft, Zone B ??? ft-??? ft, and Zone C ??? ft-???? ft. Also designate "No Construction" areas for future parks and other things.

I noticed that the grand bohemia site has lots of construction equipment on it now.

O really? Interesting...

Yes, I got some pics today...will post later, more than likely tomorrow (camera is in car and I am too lazy to go out and get it now :)) and there is a large cranelike thing and some other stuff there now. Not sure how good the pics will be due to the screen up on the fence. Also...what is going on by the trop? And I was surprised to see that the Dali museum is well under way.

I also noticed that a couple weeks ago and commented on it a few posts back. It was really hard to figure out what stuff was and was not for the crane they were using for the building next door. But it would be cool if they did start construction.

They were very far into the planning stages of the building so lets hope its finally starting.

Yes, I got some pics today...will post later, more than likely tomorrow (camera is in car and I am too lazy to go out and get it now :)) and there is a large cranelike thing and some other stuff there now. Not sure how good the pics will be due to the screen up on the fence. Also...what is going on by the trop? And I was surprised to see that the Dali museum is well under way.


The construction by the trop is apartments being built by Zaremba Group. On the website it says coming summer 2010. :)

Here's the site:
http://www.fusion1560.com/

Hmmm...... isn't that interesting. I just recently read the city had granted Kessler 3 more years to start construction or was that to complete construction?? I'd love to see the Grand Bohemain be built. It's Florida and we do get tourism. Build the damn hotel already...

Looks like the Grand Bohemian is still interested in building the hotel portion of their project. Agenda 4 in this document.

http://www.stpete.org/development/development_review_commission/docs/drcagenda.pdf

Anyone know what Agenda 2 project is? Is that the ugly office tower we saw before?
Yeah, I posted it back in November that the city granted them an extension. So maybe they could be starting up. I would email them, but I think last time I did I just got a automatic reply.

I am guessing this is the waterfall at sig?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26515929@N08/3578031395/
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/26515929@N08/3578031395/)
Stuff at bohemian site...not sure exactly if this is for the building, but what else would it be for? (there are some other trucks there too)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26515929@N08/3578839470/

Dali Museum
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26515929@N08/3578837800/

and couple pics of that apartment near the trop
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26515929@N08/3578038807/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26515929@N08/3578036833/


sorry about links...apparently I have forgotten how to post pics...

Where is the location for the new Dali museum? The design looks god awful though. It does seems as the bohemian is going up, They have a crane, trucks, they put up that screen to block what they are doing, might finally get something.

Dali museum is right across from the entrance to Albert Whitted airport. I dont think I actually noticed it until I left that parking lot...you can also get some pretty good shots of the length of downtown from that vantage point as well.

Dali museum is right across from the entrance to Albert Whitted airport. I dont think I actually noticed it until I left that parking lot...you can also get some pretty good shots of the length of downtown from that vantage point as well.
Oh yea you can get some good shots, especially with a car.

Anyone know what the Everest Condos are? It's on the July 9th City Council Agenda and can't remember if it has ever been brought up on here before. The agenda says 779 Delmar Terrace South and the only thing closest to it is a fire station.

Looks like Grand Bohemian isn't going up any time soon. Whatever was there is gone and just the empty lot is there.

I took some pics of the Dali Museum, they're in the Clearwater/St Pete Pics thread.

The new terminal for Albert Whitted seems to be almost done. The steelwork looks finish and just need to do both the exterior and interior.

I don't know if The Arts is still on, they still have a banner on whatever building sits on the lot and I would had thought if the plan was on hold that the banner would be down since it has a phone number for it.

Does anyone know of any project planned on the corner of 1st Ave and 16th St.? There's a lot of groundwork on the site and I can't find any news of it.

North or South?

North or South?
It would be 1st Ave S and 16th St. S. On the northeasr corner.

And by groundwork, I don't mean just moving of dirt and such, they were down all the way to the drainage. I caught a name on one of the signs, Sim Architects, but I get about a dozen so results with the same name and no location in St. Petersburg.

You must be talking about Fusion 1560, a new rental project being built by the same company that built Vintage Lofts in Tampa.

http://www.zarembagroup.com/residential.html

^If that's the case, then they're way off schedule... They drove piles way back in the late winter and spring, and are supposed to be done in a few months.

An article about the development...
http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/economicdevelopment/article995124.ece

^The link posted by Jahi says "coming summer 2010."

Jahi is correct, it's the Fusion 1560. Although the developer mentioned was never mentioned on any of the signs. Two other partners besides the Sim Architects were CSJM Architects and Terra Construction Group.

Some quick drive-by shots

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/9466/stuff060.jpg
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/2037/stuff059.jpg
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/4976/stuff058.jpg

The actual site is: http://fusion1560.com/

That isn't sitework dude, that's the same hardcore foundation work that has been going on all summer on this project.

Man, you confused me for a moment there. I thought something else was going up on the other side of Central or something.

That isn't sitework dude, that's the same hardcore foundation work that has been going on all summer on this project.

Man, you confused me for a moment there. I thought something else was going up on the other side of Central or something.
Haha, I just realized it yesterday and was like damn, nothing has been mentioned on the site yet about it.

Does this still mean that Fusion 1560 will be rising soon or just setting up the foundation?

It's all getting built sfaik.

Hotel plans coming
Sheila Mullane Estrada, Times Correspondent
In Print: Sunday, September 20, 2009

ST. PETE BEACH — The Coral Reef Hotel, originally built in 1963, soon may be redeveloped as a $60 million, 12-story major hotel or timeshare resort.

If the developers, Coral Reef Partners LLC, are successful in navigating the city's new development regulations, this may be the first indication the city's development wars have come to an end.

For the Coral Reef, the first step will be for property owner Robert Fleeting to explain his plans at a public meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the city's Warren Webster Community Center, 1500 Pass-a-Grille Way.

"Our intention is to demolish the existing hotel and construct a new building with a combined total of 248 units," Fleeting said Thursday.

The building will include 10 stories of living space over two stories of parking. Each 1,000-square-foot unit will include two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room and kitchen.

The hotel also will include conference facilities, a restaurant, a pool, gymnasium and poolside bar.

Once completed, the entire 4.28-acre complex, including the nearby Coral Reef Resort timeshare buildings, will have three pools and four spas. There will be aesthetic improvements to the entire site, Fleeting said.

The two resort timeshare buildings on the site are separately owned, but are considered part of the hotel site plan for zoning and building regulation purposes.

When Fleeting, a native of Scotland, purchased the hotel property in 2004, he said he planned to tear down the hotel and build condominiums.

"The city told me they did not want to lose one of their major hotels and asked me to wait until they had completed their new land development regulations.

Only weeks later, the hotel was condemned and boarded up for safety reasons.

"It was the black hole of Calcutta. It was quite horrific. Water was running over electrical wiring. I called the fire marshal and he told me as gently as he could that we had to close," Fleeting said.

Then the city's development wars intervened when Citizens for Responsible Growth successfully campaigned for the city's planned development regulations to be rejected at the polls in 2005.

Over the next few years, Fleeting succeeded in signing multimillion dollar development contracts with a series of major hoteliers, but each fell apart because of the uncertainty over the city's development rules.

New regulations proposed by another citizens' group, Save Our Little Village, were approved by voters last year and officially went into effect this month when the state Department of Community Affairs approved the voter-approved new comprehensive plan and land development regulations.

Today, even though those regulations are still being fought in court by members of Citizens for Responsible Growth, Fleeting is not waiting to put his plans for the Coral Reef into action.

But this time, Fleeting is reversing normal development procedures by first getting city approval for his plans before he approaches another flag hotel or secures financing.

"Because of what has happened in St. Pete Beach, I can no longer do it the normal way. I don't want egg on my face again," he said.

Once he has city approval, he will approach major resort companies to "flag" the project. The building footprint, density and height will not change, he said, but final interior design may be altered, depending upon the resort company selected.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/hotel-plans-coming/1037390

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/1889/stpetebch.jpg

It looks good, hope it goes through!