http://www.gost.biz/tampaurban/images/towers/woods_maas.jpg

There was a news wire (http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/02-13-2006/0004280950&EDATE=) today that stated the demolition of the Maas Brothers site begins tonight and should be complete by the end of March. The Wood Partners should break ground on the high rise later this year.

Wood Partners Tampa. (PRNewsFoto/Wood Partners)

TAMPA, FL UNITED STATES 02/13/2006



National Developer Already Making a Mark

TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Wood Partners is already leaving its
mark on the Tampa skyline. Demolition will begin tonight on its new high-rise
condominium development in the Cultural Arts District at the former site of
the Maas Brothers department store headquarters.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060213/DCM040 )
All four buildings on the original site will come down over the coming
weeks and will be removed by the end of March. Developers felt there was no
cost effective solution for salvaging the structures while utilizing the space
in a manner consistent with the master plan for downtown revitalization.
Wood Partners is under contract to purchase the Maas Brothers block from
its current owner, 610 Franklin, LLC. If City Council approves Wood Partners'
plans in March, the firm will build a high-rise containing over 500
condominiums and more than 14,000 square feet of retail and commercial space
on the site. Ground will be broken later this year. The site is between
Franklin and Zack Streets, and Tampa and Twiggs Streets. Wood Partners said
that the new condominium will add to downtown Tampa's continued growth as an
urban neighborhood. "The high-rise residential tower will add to the vitality
of Franklin Street," said Dave Thompson, Development Associate. "It will
return this block of downtown back to a period when it served as the center of
activity for the entire city." The Preston Partnership, the architect
responsible for SkyPoint, the 32-story high-rise condominium currently under
construction in Tampa, is designing the new building. The Preston Partnership
has designed all of Wood Partners' high-rise developments.
The City of Tampa agreed to issue the demolition permit after the project
received a favorable vote from the Historic Preservation Commission on
November 29, 2005. The buildings have sentimental value for some Tampa
residents, but none of the structures ever received local or national historic
designation.

ABOUT WOOD PARTNERS
Wood Partners is an active residential high-rise developer, having
developed Metropolis, Eclipse, Spire, Twelve Atlantic Station, and Realm in
Atlanta (with Novare Group), as well as Horizon (Atlanta), Solaire (Orlando),
The Edge (West Palm Beach), Mosaic (Houston), and Glass House (Denver). The
company offers a seasoned real estate team that combines its experience and
capital with the financial community's resources and a vast array of world-
class service providers to create distinctive communities of lasting value.
With fourteen offices across the country, Wood Partners continues to grow
and be a national presence in the development industry. The firm has developed
over 24,000 units since its inception in 1998, has a current pipeline of $1.7
billion, and was recently ranked #1 in Builder Magazine.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/02-13-2006/0004280950&EDATE=

Now that they are killing the landmark, I guess I have to wish them well - at least to fill the hole. I hope they do something better than that piece of crap.

So obviously the Maas building isn't big enough to be imploded. Sounds like it will be a wrecking ball.

That building doesnt look horrible, it just looks similar to Skypoint. I do like how it appears to have a corner effect. DT Tampa needs more angles at the ground level.

You will have to do better than a generic Skypoint design to replace the Maas Bros in my mind.

We need a better render, cause this one is too small so i cant really see how similar it is to Skypoint :bash:

Tonight? But... but... I didn't get to take a picture of it today because I came home after dark! Damn!

It would have been nice if they could have at least incorporated a part of the Maas Brothers facade into the design. Oh well. However it should be interesting to see a historic port city with old urban hoods like West Tampa, Tampa Heights and Ybor with a mostly modern downtown like Orlando or Charlotte.

http://prn.newscom.com/cgi-bin/members/thumb/wmark?doc=PRN/prnphotos/docs/052/205&size=512&logo=logo

Awesome

Tall, but quite ugly.

How is it UGLY?

That's terrible. I'm sorry, but Tampa continues to disappoint.

Being that The Preston Partnership is designing the building, I think it will look great. They designed the Spires in Atlanta, Solaire in Orlando... If you go to their website : http://www.theprestonpartnership.com/, the highrise designs are great IMO.

Oh Lordie. :sleepy:

I don't see what the complaints are about. I mean nothing can really replace the Maas Bros. building, but this doesn't look bad. I think it's a nice fit, and the unique shape (diagonal tower) adds to the design. Certainly no architectural materpiece, but it's nice enough.

I think it looks nice, expescially the base :dunno:

How is it UGLY?

Because it is a shit design. The entire way the building is engaging the street sucks... Especially if the side facing Franklin St is anything like this side of the builsing. If I was advising the City Council to do one thing with this project, it's make sure that it's a more visually attractive design, and serves to present a better face to Franklin St.

I like this project - I don't think its ugly. I do wish a different architect designed it since Preston Partnership does all of Novare's buildings too. We are going to have 4 buildings about the same height in the same section of town designed by the same firm.

Still - I disagree that it's ugly. The Kress project preserved their building and I think it looks like 1970's Eastern European public housing. Now THAT'S ugly

I like the design. The diagonal setting of the top floors is a nice addition to the skyline. I also think the base of the building is nice, with storefronts to the street and the awnings it adds some urban feel which Tampa needs in its core.

Still - I disagree that it's ugly. The Kress project preserved their building and I think it looks like 1970's Eastern European public housing. Now THAT'S ugly

Yeah seriously - at least it's not like some giant white rectangle like what some skylines are filled with... Like I said I think it's pretty nice, nothing special, but it'll be a good addition.

I wouldn't classify the design a loser - what can you expect out of a high-rise condo? It's like anything with balconies for optimum view, decent setbacks, street level retail, diagonal orientation, parking. It's no Bank of America, but it's not a beer can either. For high density and downtown residential, I'll take it. Besides, between Wood, Novarre's two, Kress, Grant and Royal, how many will actually get built anyway?

I'd put my money on Novare and Wood. Again, it goes back to their record of getting things done, moving quickly, not waiting for 70% pre-sales, etc.

Iagree...if there's any project that I would like to see fail. It would be Kress.

I think the Doran Jason projects are architecturally more distinctive.

But I do agree that Wood and Novare get things done.

I like the design for the building, but it needs to be rotated 45 degrees to the left. I don't like how it runs diagonally from the intersection.

http://prn.newscom.com/cgi-bin/members/thumb/wmark?doc=PRN/prnphotos/docs/052/205&size=512&logo=logo
Ok i change my mind i like it if that top part was high it would look cooler but i think its good.

It's fine.

I just don't understand why a forward thinking architect can't for once be hired to build something SOMEWHAT modern or innovative or different. Every design seems to be so similar and quite outdated. This one isn't an exception.

Oh, but those darned architects cost too much money. Much easier to copy a design you've seen somewhere else before and get one of your in-house hacks to sign off on it. That's how the networks do their TV programming; I don't see why developers shouldn't be able to do the same.

Hey multifamilyinvestor,
I have to some what disagree with you on the Kress project. Yes it is an unattractive use of facade for this project but it does popped or bring out the old historic structures. I don't know if the architect did it intentionally or not but it does create a contrast between old and new. The new structure look like it grow out from the old structure. I would use more concrete facade with some similar design details reflecting the old structure at the lower levels of the new structure. As the building get higher, start adding more glasses and metal to the facade to create a slow gradual changes from the past to the present.

^ I hope you are right and that I change my mind once it is built. It really is hard to tell much from a rendering.

I hope the are not white or beige. That would look shitty.

I like the design. The diagonal setting of the top floors is a nice addition to the skyline. I also think the base of the building is nice, with storefronts to the street and the awnings it adds some urban feel which Tampa needs in its core.

I guess it is better than having empty, old buildings on the lot, although, like Smiley and Lakelander, I wish they could have saved the Maas bldg. facade.

Quite honestly, when I first saw the rendering, I thought -- Damn! Why did they have ta put that oversized bug zapper on top? :bash:

I think the architectural design would have been more asthetically appealing if the top (front) would have just been staggered like a glass pyramid with an interesting lighting scheme to compliment the project.

Maybe the architect(s) should learn to lay off the mind-altering substances until after the rendering is finished. :jk:

I guess we can only HOPE that the next two buildings will be different in design -- just for variety's sake. :cheers:

I'm thinking the rendering is not doing it justice. If it looks anything like the Spire in Atlanta - one of Preston's (architect) projects - it'll end up looking pretty good.

http://www.theprestonpartnership.com/high_rise.htm

I have to admit, the 45 degree tilt to the street... that's pretty cool. I mean, it's very similar to skypoint--and a lot of new urban construction--in some ways. But the "oversized bug zapper," given some tweaking, could be a rather nifty reflection of the pseudo-gothic church on top of AmSouth. And the fact that it doesn't address the street at pure right angles is actually, I think, going to look really good in the middle of a batch of towers. Heck, maybe the bug zapper (oh God, this building already has its nickname) will be lit at night like a beacon, in different colors. Or something.
Anyway. I just didn't think this was all that bad, and somebody needed to defend it a little.

Maybe the lantern (aka bug zapper) will be backlit green at night... It could instead be dubbed the "green lantern"... Tampa could even be used as the backdrop for another "b" movie based on a comic book.

^ Hey, I like that idea. It would give Tampa at least something to distinguish itself from other drab, hazy sunbelt cities, because Lord knows none of these towers that are going up are going to give the city any kind of identity.

^You got that right about the cheap, almost anonymous designs.

The south buildings were torn down and the rubble remains. Maas is still standing. Just an FYI.

I ahve some pics stuck on my phone. I will try to get them off

I saw the site other day coming home from work... It looked as though everything was down but the Maas building, and they were spraying the rubble with water to cut down the dust.

Well, Mr. Empanada (if that was his real name) sure isn't doing a very good job hauling away the debris. The pile was as big today as it was last Thursday. Gotta get that crap out of there before they can pull down the other two buildings...

That was the store he operated, not his name. However, I do like the name (Mr. Buritto, Mr. Chalupa, Mr. Taco, Mr. Enchilada or Mr. Salsa would not seem right). When he is not busy whipping up a south of the border delight, he is apparently hauling debris. Very well rounded. Why does this whole situtuation seem so funny to me????

^Because it is funny.... The guy is Tampa's version of a rennaissance man. ;)

Maas Site Tower Gets Initial OK

By ELLEN GEDALIUS egedalius@tampatrib.com

Published: Mar 10, 2006

TAMPA - City council gave preliminary approval Thursday to a plan to turn the site of the former Maas Bros. building into a condo tower.

Council members endorsed the plan 6-1, with Councilman John Dingfelder opposing.

Wood Partners plans to turn the Maas Bros. block on Franklin Street into a 32-story, 503-unit condo tower. The building will rise 460 feet.

The project includes more than 14,000 square feet of retail space and a nine-level parking garage.

Maas Bros. department store, which stood at Franklin and Zack streets, closed in 1991. Timber columns have deteriorated, portions of the roof have collapsed, and asbestos and termites plague the building. Demolition is under way.

Dingfelder, in voting against the plan, said he wanted the developers' pledge to help pay for turning Zack into a two-way street. When he didn't get that promise, he said it was a sign of greed.

http://news.tbo.com/news/metro/MGB25XIYLKE.html

And here is where you can register to get more info - http://www.livedowntowntampa.com/.

Just posted this on the Franklin Street thread; forgot about this one.

460 feet? And Saul-Sena and Alvarez were Ok with that? That's a shock. What are you're thoughts on Dingfelder's point about one-way street?

1) when you go to that website - you realize it is just anoth Novare building. Fine. But those guys are going to be awfully busy with little interspersed between - they better have some diversity of design

2) I do not hav the two-way street fetish. That is one of those panacea's that failed downtowns reach for to miraculously fix everything. IF there are people and there are things to do the one way or two way streets will be irrelevant. They should worry about the important things.

Agree completely with the 1-way v 2-way argument. I much prefer the streets as they are: far more predictable for pedestrians (and bicyclists, ahem) as re: traffic patterns etc. This 2-way reversion is an absurd waste of money with no practical benefit whatsoever.

The people living in the condo will probably prefer one-way streets too.

They have started to knock out the south side of Mass. They may need to haul off the rubble first before knocking down any more.

all over but the shouting, apparently

Condos on Maas Bros. site approved
Only City Council member John Dingfelder dissents. He wanted the developer to help fund a city project.
By JANET ZINK, Times Staff Writer
Published March 24, 2006

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


TAMPA - The City Council on Thursday approved plans for a 32-story, 503-unit condo tower in downtown Tampa by a vote of 5-1.

Council member John Dingfelder cast the dissenting vote on the project on the site of the former Maas Bros. department store after the developer refused to contribute even $1 to the city's efforts to turn Zack Street into a two-way road.

Council member Kevin White accused Dingfelder of "borderline extortion."

"Extortion is a strong word, and I resent that," Dingfelder said.

In explaining his vote, Dingfelder said that after three years on the city's variance review board and on the council, he has a highly sensitive "greed meter."

The Wood Partners condo project on Franklin Street is worth probably $150-million, he said, and the developers should be able to find some money in their budget to help the city with one of its priority projects.

The notion that contributing to the transportation effort will significantly hurt the developers' bottom line is "baloney," Dingfelder said.

The developer's attorney, Truett Gardner, said the company already is paying $2-million to meet the requirements of the city's public art ordinance as well as transportation, storm water, water and other impact fees.

Council member Rose Ferlita joined White in sticking up for the project.

"We have to sometimes be reasonable about what we want from developers," she said.

In an interview after the meeting, White said it's unfair to ask developers to pay for extra concessions that aren't part of city code.

"It's a wonderful thing if they want to volunteer extra things," White said. "But to ask in a manner that indicates you will not be in support of a project if they don't do what you ask of them is extortion."

The Maas Bros. redevelopment is one of the first projects in Tampa for Atlanta-based Wood Partners. Doing business with them in that way might prompt companies to take their projects someplace else, White said.

"Profit is not a dirty word," Dingfelder said. "It doesn't matter if they're making $100-million or $100,000 on the project. That's not our concern as council members. Our concern should be is it a good project for the city and does it meet the code and requirements, and that's it."

Dingfelder said he's trying to do what's best for Tampa's future.

"I'm sorry Kevin thinks looking out for the community's best interests is extortion," he said.

Truett Gardner has given $500 to White's campaign for a Hillsborough County Commission seat. Also, David E. Thompson, who works for Wood Partners, has given $500.

Thompson, contacted Thursday, said he made the contribution at a fundraising event in October and has never spoken to White about the rezoning.

White said he also has voted against projects Gardner has represented.

Janet Zink can be reached at jzink@sptimes.com or 813 226-3401.

[Last modified March 24, 2006, 02:15:43]
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/03/24/Hillsborough/Condos_on_Maas_Bros_s.shtml

That's funny. I think what's best for Tampa's future is to leave the damn street one-way. I live downtown, Mr. Dumbfelder. Why not listen to me? Leave the streets as they are.

I can't disagree... Complicating the sreets DT isn't going to help one damn bit.

If you leave the streets people will be able to drive and if they can drive they will go downtown, and then the people living there will not able to walk their dogs in peace as the homeless accost them . .

To be honest, I understand the point of two waying some streets, but those should be quiet streets with only residential - not the business streets.

HEy, could someone post the link to the Wood project website in this thread so we don't have to look through every Tmapa thread. Thanks.

HEy, could someone post the link to the Wood project website in this thread so we don't have to look through every Tmapa thread. Thanks.

www.livedowntowntampa.com

Ok, so I was temporarily blinded. Thanks.

A few pictures from the demolition here:

http://sidesalad.net/archives/002742.html

Yea, I saw that- the wrecking ball, that is. What are you gonna do?

Hope the new project doesn't visually suck as much as it looks like it will.

Well, like most condo projects, it appears it will be average, which is unfortunate because it will be quite large. Although maybe it will be better when we see a better rendering. The one they have out now is at an atrocious angle.

Ok, so I was temporarily blinded. Thanks.

Blinded by the unsightliness of the building, or just the lime green background of the website?

Actually blinded by this website - unable to see that link that was plainly posted before I asked about it.

The website is actually one of the most hideous I've seen, though. Although, what with the lime green color... maybe they WILL light up that lantern thing on top of the building in green, and we can have the Green Lantern.

Then the question can be asked if the Green Lantern has had more influence on Tampa than <i>The Punisher</i> did. :P ;)

Can anyone tell me what direction the condo tower will face on its diagonal? Will it stretch from the intersection of Tampa/Zack to Franklin/Twiggs (NW to SE) or will it go Tampa/Twiggs to Franklin/Zack (SW to NE)? The website is not that forthcoming with info, and I have a specific interest in its angle....

They have not said, but I cannot imagine that they would have it face northwest. They are going to go for the water shots - even with buildings in the view, I would think. - so it is likely from the south east corner to the northwest corner with teh views to the northeast and southwest - that is specualtion, but I think reasonable.

Thanks, Smiley. I do enjoy the frequent posts on all of these sites by you and the others. I've reserved a corner unit on the 32nd floor of Skypoint's southeast corner, and when I learned about the Wood Partners building, I grew concerned about my panoramic view of downtown (e.g., looking over toward Channelside). I'd much rather face the narrow end of a condo tower that's a floor or two taller than mine versus facing the side of the building! I agree with your speculation, but when has reasonability ever dictated the endeavors of some of these developers? Thanks for your input...

^meh... if could be the opposite, so that both sides have an oblique view to the SW.

Lots of work on this site (demolision). Any idea when a ground breaking may occur? It seeme like this project is imminent.

I guess they are saying from my guesses that gdbrking is going to be in June.

The recent Tribune update said groundbreaking was in November. Remember they haven't begun sales yet either, and I don't think demolition is complete.

^ Yeah but I have my doubts about the accuracy of the Tribunce article. It seems to conflict with established info from other sources. For example, on the list they include the Denholtz Residential project and Crescent Heights that I understood were both long dead. Of course it does not include HRT.

Yeah demo is about done, I am just waiting for Jason to get back with my photos.

Is there no better rendering for this project yet?

not yet.

Um... what's left to do of demolition? Are they gonna bring in a buddhist to rake the dirt, cause there's nothing else left.

Well one
paper said November, someone else said June.. Let's just say late summer ..Sometime in August sounds about right..

I was downtown yesterday and all that was left was a pile of dirt. There is already a crane on the property.

Tampa City Council Supports Maas Bros.

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/169/1636/1600/wood.jpg

Tampa City Council gave final approval Thursday to a plan to turn the former Maas Bros. building into a condominium tower. Wood Partners plans to turn the Maas Bros. block on Franklin Street into a 32-story, 503-unit condo tower. The building will rise 460 feet.
CONTACT: David Thompson of Wood Partners, 813-258-6585

Wood Partners is under contract to purchase the Maas Brothers block from its current owner, 610 Franklin, LLC. (aka Patel)

tampamobster this is all old stuff you keep posting

I had just got it out of VillageRealEstate.com

Well actually now we have an official height on the tower, 460 feet. Even if that seems too tall for the number of floors and the rendeing. Which makes it taller then the Rivergate and I think the Lykes tower.

Well the height is great. Maybe they will "secretely" add more floors.

Or maybe they 'secretly' improved the design. ;)

It was a joke. I am not sure though if they have of not.

As long as they keep that green lantern on top.

Yea . . . I would like to see an elevation of this building to see just how stupid the top is going to look from every angle other than the one shown in the rendering. Maybe it will look fine, but I have some doubts.

I think we might be pleasantly suprised.

Yea . . . I would like to see an elevation of this building to see just how stupid the top is going to look from every angle other than the one shown in the rendering. Maybe it will look fine, but I have some doubts.

This does not sound promising, speculating on just how stupid the top will look from differing perspectives, i.e., "Will it look really stupid ?", or, "Will it look a little stupid ?" :lol:

lol...

They have updated the website for Six Ten Franklin - http://www.livedowntowntampa.com. You can register to receive more detailed info.

In related news, Wood Bros. has announced they will start construction on The Boulevard project on Kennedy in July. I'll post this info under the Tampa dev thread.

So were going to by 2008 have at least 4 30 story buildings all close together in the trendy Franklin area..

Novare 2--- 34 story condo's
Skypoint 32 story condo's

610 Franklin 33 story condo's

And if were lucky we get 37 stories Tampa City Lofts.

Impressive midtown Tampa///lol

So were going to by 2008 have at least 4 30 story buildings all close together in the trendy Franklin area..

Novare 2--- 34 story condo's
Skypoint 32 story condo's

610 Franklin 33 story condo's

And if were lucky we get 37 stories Tampa City Lofts.

Impressive midtown Tampa///lol

Dont forget about the Royal. (27 stories)
And Grant and Kress Block. (44, 27, 23 stories)
Along with other shorter stuff.

Damn I can not wait until they are built.

It will definitley be a "Midtown" Tampa. It will also be a very sweet urban neighborhood. Franklin Street will be vary dense, and most of the surface parking will be gone in Downtown north of Kennedy Blvd.

While I am very pleased at the prospect of this cluster - it will not be a "midtown" - it is one block away from the main tower cluster. This is infill - nice infill - but infill. What it will do is make dt more 3 dimensional - and bigger of course.

A semi-downtown would be more like it. I wonder now if Doran Jason has thrown in the towel.

I do not think so. I think they are reworking their site.

^^ nope. There's too much to loose ($150 million project with excellent profit potential if the market's there.) They're still battling the City Council over the Woolworth and Newberry bldgs.

They will only bow out if the market slows down considerably.

Hang in there. :)

Newberry Building?

^^^ Yeah... where Andy and Opie live right now. . . :)

A semi-downtown would be more like it. I wonder now if Doran Jason has thrown in the towel.

Were they ever really in the fight ? What project of any size have they ever gotten built ?

Maybe I'm just bitter over their past failures like the KPF-designed Tampa Financial Center, the only highrise proposed in the early 80's boom that didn't get built.

You are mistaken about that last point.

You are mistaken about that last point.

How so ?

There are a number of projects that were not built - but, interestingly, if memory serves me correctly, the Tampa Financial Centar is basically the SunTrust - a diamond shaped build of about 35 stories on that lot. The main differences are the lack of a curved glass wall (in the old project) and the top (only in the SunTrust)

There are a number of projects that were not built - but, interestingly, if memory serves me correctly, the Tampa Financial Centar is basically the SunTrust - a diamond shaped build of about 35 stories on that lot. The main differences are the lack of a curved glass wall (in the old project) and the top (only in the SunTrust)

Are you sure ? I thought the Doran Jason project was altogether cancelled. Did they do SunTrust ?

They did not - but the design is very similar - I think the actual developer basically copied what tehy had and tweaked it a bit.

So, was Doran Jason the one doing the Kress project. On a side note, what about the Grant block? I would love to know what the project even looked like.

So, was Doran Jason the one doing the Kress project. On a side note, what about the Grant block? I would love to know what the project even looked like.

Grant and Kress Block are different phases of the same project. And yes they are being done by Dorn Jason. Grant has full approval and is ready to go while Kress is being slowed down by the facade issue.

I thought that they were using the facade for the project. Is Grant where 112 is? What is the height?

Grant is 44 stories and about 444 feet, i think.

I think with Grant we might get a 500' out of this.. in the end..

I think with Grant we might get a 500' out of this.. in the end..

No the building was approved for about 450 feet. Unless they add more floors which is unlikley then it'll be about 450 feet, which is still solid. :)

Do you think it is possible for the developers to put extra floors with out consent?

What is the status of this building?

tampamobster21 you know, once in awhile you ask a good question. I don't get to DT that often is this completely cleared yet and is there any activity daily, here? BTW, Tm21 just busting your B&lls!

I feel that my questions are _mostly_ relavent.

As of today, there has been no activity on the site, but the entire site is clear except for a small pile of 2x4's.

There is a new sign on the Mass block stating "New Condos coming soon". It caught me off guard so I had to look back over my shoulder.

Anyone else see it? Any news?

Let's start digging!

I was downtown and I saw the same thing and I actually got the chance to walk on the dirt of where the building once stood. It was a massive site. I wonder why they took down the barricades blocking off the site just to make it accessable to nothing.

I figured I'd put this one here because it is a Wood Partners project. A little blurb and pictures from villagerealestate.com

Here are some pictures of the model displayed at the Boulevard condos sales office. Developer is Wood partners who is also working on the downtown 33 story "Six Ten" - site of the Maas Bros dept store.

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/169/1636/320/blvd1.jpg

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/169/1636/320/blvd.jpg

See Tpa Development - the Blvd broke ground already

Has construction actually begun on Six Ten Franklin?

Not that anyone has said. I doubt it, but then I would never have beleived that the Boulevard would break ground (though I still wonder if it is really a ceremonial thing htat actually just involves fixing utilities)

6-10 definitely hasn't started, and won't for some time...

When do they expect to break ground?

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/5011/scan0011qb2.jpg http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/7373/scan0010ae0.jpg http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/935/scan0014bk3.jpg http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8950/scan0013rn2.jpg

All I know is if this building is supposedly 460ft tall, then Skypoint is also over 400ft... At least according to those pics.

ps... I like how the mass of the federal courthouse is depicted about 150-175ft shorter than what it really is.

For some reason, I thought these buildings would be as tall as the "beer can" building. They look much shorter in these renderings -- Somewhat disappointing.

I'm feeling a little better about the design now. What they've done with the top fairly rescues the design IMO.

bueller,

thanks for the images - where did you get these from?

These computer thingies are not exactly to scale anyway

Wood tower is 460 feet tall making it 6 feet taller then the beer can. Skypoint is supposed to be about 400 feet to spire. About the height of the Courthouse, so Skypoint is actually rather accurate in the photo. The Courthouse in the picture appears to be about the height of the Floridian in the picture and its really about 175 feet taller.

I feel better about the design also. I feel it is good for the area to receive some interesting buildings. Has this broken ground yet?

Tampamobster, your a trip. I dont even post these boards much, but can plainly see your like their excited little puppy dog. I'm gonna burst your bubble, cause someones gotta do it.

1. Renderings don't mean shit, especially massing models.
2. Approvals by city councils, MPB's, or otherwise also don't mean anything.
3. PRESALES. If it doesnt sell it doesn't get built. Make inquiries about sales centers, and units sold before you ask for tower cranes.

You seem like a good guy, very enthusiastic and all, but it gives readers a very niave perspective of Tampas posters when you see a sign and ask, "is it under construction?"

No, what the hell. I did not even ask is it under construction. I asked IF IT HAD BROKEN GROUND YET. I figured that since there were new renderings that there was something going on.

A lot of people consider 'breaking ground' and being 'under construction' to be the same thing....


But anyways, let's get back to the topic please...

Leave Tampamobster alone. :wave:

There is an article in this weeks Tampa Bay Business Journal which states Six Ten Franklin plans to break ground in November.