cont'd from closed thread.

cont'd from closed thread.


Hey Jman.,.. Long time no see. Hope things are going well for ya'.

They have the rough lay with electric on floors 8 and 9... lights are on in the tower. You can see they've (seemingly) already started framing on those floors.

Awesome! I am excited for the tower getting lit.

The original Skypoint Condo Thread and all of it's posts can be found here:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=216916

Just for reference and to start out this thread I thought I'd put the rendering and some sources for info on this project.

Rendering...
http://www.novaregroup.com/images/portfolio/skypoint.jpg

The website is...http://www.skypointcondos.com/

Project profile is at....http://www.novaregroup.com/portfolio_skypoint.html (http://http://www.novaregroup.com/portfolio_skypoint.html)

And to view project status...

http://www.tecocam.com/ (http://http://www.tecocam.com/)

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

I think what you see is shoring.

The lighting?

I think what you see is shoring.


Yeah, in the daylight I started looking long and hard at the camera and realized WTF was going on there. I remembered the lower floors had shoring for a while... Hell, they are still in place in some areas on the first six floors.

So yes, shoring supports are in place.

Yeah, in the daylight I started looking long and hard at the camera and realized WTF was going on there. I remembered the lower floors had shoring for a while... Hell, they are still in place in some areas on the first six floors.

So yes, shoring supports are in place.
Keep in mind in order to mobilize a framing crew a substantial amount of framing has to be readyto go. The only interior work your seeing on these levels is a little bit of masonry work, barrier bables etc. If you could walk the sites you would see a lot of massive pipework for plumbing and the fire suppresant system, basically that kind of stuff.

Also, with regards to the power in the building typicaly what we lay is basic drop lines and bare essential temporary power. Up until the end the GC is typicaly required to pay for the power that is consumed until you switch on the owners box. That said, none of the lighting you'll see is anything more than the equivalent of lights hanging on an extension cord.

Regarding the shoring, they are required to keep 100% of it up until the next two levels. Once the two floors above are complete you can strip it down to 50%, and so on.

^^ thanks for the information, orlandonative. I didn't know what shoring meant, let alone the requirements involved, and I had assumed that the first floor lighting was already permanently part of the project.

cool!

There's "blue" in the view!

They've added two pieces of blue window panels that are easily visible on the OxBlue cam.

The link can be found in FloridaFuture's post (above.) :)

... interesting shade of blue, too... lol

There's "blue" in the view!

They've added two pieces of blue window panels that are easily visible on the OxBlue cam.

The link can be found in FloridaFuture's post (above.) :)

... interesting shade of blue, too... lol

I was going to thank Orlando Native for his post as well as make mention of that -- I just wasn't sure if those were glass or plastic. Notice the track for the Panes are visible on a few othe the floors directly above 1 and 2. It's yet to be added on 7 and 6.

Also within the past 2 days the pouring of the 12th floor has begun. Only 20 floors to go! :)

They're delivering extension parts to the crane this a.m. Getting close now. . . :cheers:

Also within the past 2 days the pouring of the 12th floor has begun. Only 20 floors to go! :)

11 was poured -- the supports for 12 were poured and they are doing the frame work for it now. It will be poured next week.

RE: Raising the crane. How exactly is this going to work? I thought they needed a second crane to help assemble the new parts of the tower...?

Look around 3:30 pm and on on June 10 and you will see how it works/is working

looks like they're having somekind of issue with raising the crane. They were all ready with a segment around 3:30 today, then put it back on the ground.

Worst case scenerio is things are put off until Wednesday because of inclamate weather.

That seems to have been the "Issue" as a squal line passed through downtown.

I'm sitting on my porch at 1020 Sunday morning. The crane is not moving (is this their 8 hours of weekly downtime?). Two pieces of structure are hanging from the crane. I assume this means as soon as they get back to work they'll be installing them; should be later today. Weather isn't that bad right now.

Welcome back Smitty!

I just chcked the Ox blue cam and that's basically where they are -- one piece hanging and th other on the stand. Then again, the lift process is supposed to be excruciatingly long from what I had heard.

Actually, they're working. The first piece is now installed. If I owned a videocamera I'd record it for you guys, but alas I am too cheap to purchase such a device. I'll be honest with you. I'm sitting here watching it from about six blocks away and I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THEY ARE DOING THIS.

Okay, I see it now. I'm taking a few pictures I'll post here when they'vemoved the current section into place. It seems there's a hydraulic or pneumatic platform that jacks the houst portion of the crane up about--I don't know, however tall a section of tower is--and then the tower portion is simply moved in underneath and bolted into place. Looks like they're using another section of tower as a counterbalance.

I don't like not being able to see the top of the crane on the oxblue cam. I wonder if they will move the angle of the camera upwards to see the top of construction, or if they will simply zoom out to see the entire thing.?. Either way, it is a great sign of progress. Can't wait to see it in person.

thehappysmith is correct.

First thing we do is hang additional weight onto the jib in order to balance the counterweight. Then you basically install a hydraulic lift system on the crane that is capable of hoisting the sections above it (usually about 20 feet). Once the crane has been raised the operator uses the crane to lift a section into place. Each section is 20 feet ( I think someone asked). Like John F said though the process can tend to be excrutiatingly long with a great deal of time being reqiured to attach the crane to the structure (looks like its about four floors above the set back).

^I like how they spin the boom to make the tower tilt in a certain direction, thus facilitating the installation of a new section...

More glass was delievered earlier. Wonder if they end up working on Saturday night and Sunday to make up for lost time (the last 2 days have been washed out and blown away :p )

They were really moving on the main floors untill the storm.

They must be close to 1 1/2 floors a week (without any delays).

I too am impressed with the pace, thats a pretty good clip. Anything more than that and it becomes difficult to get the concrete to set without introducing too many ad-mixtures.

It looks like they've also stepped up the prep work where the pool will be located. Personally, I'm liking the facade of the garage floors. It really is going to be an attractive project when it is completed.

Now bring on Skypoint II!

I can not wait to see the parking lot cleared for the second one. That shall be exciting.

TM21 - You won't be able to see it from this cam because it'll be blocked by SKY1. They are going to start on the building fronting Franklin Ave...there should be another cam pointing at that project - any ideas as to what building it would be mounted on?)

Ok, NOW I am impressed with speed --

They lost a bunch of days from the storm, that we know. But having the emergency staircase poured the afternoon after the floor it's on was poured still impresses the crap out of me. Usually it takes them a full day or more to get the rebar in place.

Meanwhile, looking at the glass up close I'm getting put off a bit by the degree of blueness in the aluminum surrounding the windows. But the color is a much appreciated change from the sterile concrete facade we've been looking at for months.

Would the courthouse be a good place to put it? Also, I just took pictures of the glass on Skypoint, I was plesantly suprised.

Re: blue glass...is the blue we're seeing actually a plastic protective coating that is placed on the glass before shipping?

Right. There is the same (colored) glass on Grand Central at Kennedy.

I havent seen the glass but you're probably right Casey. Usually it has a protective coating for shipping and installation. It's probably a blueish-green or really blue color if i'm not mistaken.

Working today (Sunday). Specifically working on glass...

This week they'll be laying the 13th floor (eeek!).

What is the timetable on the patio decks on 8? I honestly expected them to have at least laid concrete for the non-pool deck by now. I don't expect the pool cast any time soon, but I am curious none the less.

First post for me. I'm from Tampa originally but live in Austin now -- 2 of my favorite cities. Anyways, this project has just begun here in Austin. Look familiar? It's being developed by Novare, 44 stories, and uses a very similar design to SkyPoint. No doubt this helps them to keep costs down and provide condos at a lower price, which is a good thing. Who wants a totally exclusive, Trump-style, downtown populace?

http://www.novaregroup.com/images/portfolio/360.jpg

double post

Welcome Havatampa! Yes you are right about Novare/Wood developing similar towers. There are 3 other approved towers within 1 block of Skypoint that look similar. Luckily the Channelside/Novare project is a little different. :)

First post for me. I'm from Tampa originally but live in Austin now -- 2 of my favorite cities. Anyways, this project has just begun here in Austin. Look familiar? It's being developed by Novare, 44 stories, and uses a very similar design to SkyPoint. No doubt this helps them to keep costs down and provide condos at a lower price, which is a good thing. Who wants a totally exclusive, Trump-style, downtown populace?

http://www.novaregroup.com/images/portfolio/360.jpg
novare has had their history of designing new towers that look like new towers from new towers. Novare is planning to build 2 more towers near Skypoint that look similar to Skypoint or any other tower that they are building.

You can barely see it but they've laid concrete on the northern terrace level on the 8th floor. The pour was Thursday or Friday.

I hope I can get down there sometime soon -- I'd to take some pictures of the building head on (with the glass in place).

One last thing -- the plywood in place over the windows... Is it there because the window pane is broken?

I think they may have taken the Skypoint camera off the free portion of the Oxblue website. They changed their homepage layout and Skypoint is not listed under the "examples" section. I also tried to click the link given on the first page of this thread, and it directed me to an error page. Damn...

works fine for me:

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

works fine for me:

http://www.oxblue.com/client/rjgcameras/skypoint/
weird, it works for me again too... Well still you can't access the camera from the main OxBlue homepage like you could before. Let's hope they don't take it down. That thing has been my crack the past couple of months (sad, I know).

I doubt they will take it down...

I have it bookmarked... I'm never on the Oxblue main page. Also, you can access it from Skypoint's official site.

One last thing -- the plywood in place over the windows... Is it there because the window pane is broken?
I cant see exactly what your talking about, but typically plywood sections are put into place for the buckhoist assembly (temp. elevator) and also provide an easy way to determine floor count. Both from the ground and for the hoist operator. Just a guess though, I've never seen the site.

Well, it looks like they're installing the first of the blue glass panels on the south side of the tower today, and it appears that all of the rain this past week has slowed the tower's construction rate.

Concrete pour rate from 12th to 13th floor: 6 days; 6 hours
Concrete pour rate from 13th to 14th floor: 6 days; 9 hours and counting...

I had a few minutes to spare so I checked it out. :)

I cant see exactly what your talking about, but typically plywood sections are put into place for the buckhoist assembly (temp. elevator) and also provide an easy way to determine floor count. Both from the ground and for the hoist operator. Just a guess though, I've never seen the site.

If you view the south side of the main tower (not the parking garage -- but where the glass has been in place on floors 2-5) where all the glass has been put up, several of the panes are covered with plywood. There is no elevator/lift /buckethoist in place on this part of the building so floorcount isn't the reason the plywood is in place in this case.

there is glass being installed on the southeastern side of the building on the 8th floor. walked the site yesterday and there is a nice mock up wall on the northwestern side of the building. the 10 foot glass doors look huge at eye level.
I am suppposed to be getting a tour of the building soon so hopefully i wil get several pics to share.

They've changed the orientation of the Skypoint cam this afternoon. You can now see the top of the crane and further to the north of the building. In the previous cam view the building was getting close to the top of the picture frame.

Yeah, now you can't see as much of the staging area. You were able to see the entrance gate before...

Look at the clock (and camera position) at 4:11 today (June 29th) and you'll get a good idea how tall this building is going to be and what a mark it's going to make on this part of downtown.

I can not believe how fast Skypoint is moving along. They are pouring a floor every 6 days. Before you know it they will be moving onto the Sky collection.

i went on a tour of the building yesterday up to the 8th floor. They are moving extremly fast. closings are scheduled to start in march. the pool will be poured concrete in case anyone was wondering and should begin in the next few weeks. i will post pictures hopefully this evening

Skypoint is moving along decently its changed alot since i been to downtown tampa.

i went on a tour of the building yesterday up to the 8th floor. They are moving extremly fast. closings are scheduled to start in march. the pool will be poured concrete in case anyone was wondering and should begin in the next few weeks. i will post pictures hopefully this evening

Yeah, everyone who's been viewing construction can see they've stepped up the framing for the pool. This is a real exciting time for the project -- seeing it move so fast.

I'm eagerly looking forward to your pictures.

By the way -- they';; be pouring the floord for your condo soon enough. How's that make you feel? :)

Wanted to know if there are any skypoint owners that are aware of the new 34 story building going up next to Skypoint. Same builder doing construction. Hope new building does not ruin view for all that are on the "park side" of the Skypoint building. Strange how Skypoint news letters tell about everything else going up downtown except the build they are attempting to build next door.

Mansky -- We've been covering the new buildings (two of them going up) for a while on the forum:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=315568

they are supposed to be set differently. Skypoint's main tower runs east west and the new one is to run north and south. The main towers will be perpendicular to each other to protect the views.

Wow! This site does have all the "inside scoops". I appriciate the update and now know where to go to get more reliable info.

Regards.

Lots of work done today onsite. They more than doubled the number of glass panels on the south side of the tower. If ya get a chance, check it out:

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

There was article in the http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2005/08/22/story5.html?jst=s_cn_hl that talks about green building processes...below is a quote from the InTown president. Can anyone expand on the context of "sustainability"?

>Builders of upcoming residences in downtown Tampa have pledged to use >green processes in their projects. For example, the 32-story SkyPoint >condominium tower was designed with sustainability in mind, said Greg >Minder, president of developer InTown Group.

Wow! This site does have all the "inside scoops". I appriciate the update and now know where to go to get more reliable info.

Regards.
Yes. I think you'll find that SSC is the best place to find development news from all over the world. Looking forward to seeing you around :)

There was article in the http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2005/08/22/story5.html?jst=s_cn_hl that talks about green building processes...below is a quote from the InTown president. Can anyone expand on the context of "sustainability"?

>Builders of upcoming residences in downtown Tampa have pledged to use >green processes in their projects. For example, the 32-story SkyPoint >condominium tower was designed with sustainability in mind, said Greg >Minder, president of developer InTown Group.

I believe that Linda Saul Sena is advocating using green materials etc.. on the Tampa convention Center and other new projects..

I believe it save's on electricity or something.. And is better for the environment..

they are supposed to be set differently. Skypoint's main tower runs east west and the new one is to run north and south. The main towers will be perpendicular to each other to protect the views.

Mansky, here's a photo of the layout.
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/169/1636/320/sky_modela.jpg

Skypoint is the tower on the right. The two white towers on the left are the approved projects.

It would have been nice if they had added 910 Franklin in the model. :)

here is a link to some of the images from the tour (apparently i do not have the ability to post them in this posts) sorry the pics are only average. I am going to try to get back there again soon with a wide angle lense.

http://www.interactivedesigndecisions.com/Images.html

by the way i am going to update the following site now that i got to walk through the unit and see where the soffits are going to be located and adjust 2 of the 3 windows as they are not floor to ceiling bc they are in one of the only four load bearing walls in the building.


http://www.interactivedesigndecisions.com/skypoint.html

There was article in the http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2005/08/22/story5.html?jst=s_cn_hl that talks about green building processes...below is a quote from the InTown president. Can anyone expand on the context of "sustainability"?


Sustainability is basically a holistic approach to design and construction which seeks to minimize a building's impact on the environment, occupant health, long-term resource availability and even minimizing cost...

Generally sustainable materials are recycled/recycable (and are generally continuously recyclable, such as steel), are renewable, or take less energy to take from raw form to finished and installed product... Like bamboo flooring (bamboo grows very quickly) or strawbale or adobe construction... Sustainability is also about utilizing design and construction techniques which make the building easier to construct, demolish and recycle...

Sustainability also seeks ot make a building a healthy place for its occupants and future occupants... (no mold, good air quality and circulation, natural light, etc)



This is something that is barely heard of in America (except for some western US markets where it impacts a tiny fraction of projects), but has been in practice in Europe, Asia and even some areas of S America and Africa for over a decade now... As is increasingly common these days, America is well behind the curve on this emerging trend. (the academic side is 'with it' here in the states, but the market could care less thus far. skyrocketing costs for oil, concrete and steel is changing that though)


Here is one site of many which recognizes and explains the components of sustainable construction... (I just happened to have a link to this one from when I wrote a research paper about green construction last year)
http://www.arch.hku.hk/research/BEER/sustain.htm#2.3

Jason- Thanks for the feedback.

jahdish, are you planning on celebrating the birth (or is it conception) of your condo? It should have the floor in by late next week, and the roof a week later...

^lol... interesting concept.

They poured the concrete floor for the pool this morning. This I didn't expect...

http://SCL.smugmug.com/photos/80441312-L.jpg

Great picture

Nice article about Skypoint & Novare in St Pete Times >

http://sptimes.com/2006/07/10/Hillsborough/Will_Atlanta_formula_.shtml

Fulltext of that article is posted on the novare-intown thread.

Am I seeing things with the concrete pipe or are they going to have to raise the tower again in a week or 2? The pipe (standing up) looks awfully close to the crane mast again.

IT is close - they are moving quite quickly

You've got it right, John. I figure two or three weeks at most.

They're really moving right along... lots of progress this week. What I don't understand is why there is so much wood where the glass panels are supposed to be. Is it just wrapping? Does anyone know? :dunno:

I think, I emphasize on the think, it could be hiding the interior so no one can see in? or a protective barrier from the sun melting the plastic covering the windows<?>

The wood is more than likely there because they needed to turn on permanent power and the building was not dried in with glass yet- the City of Tampa will not release the building for permanent power until they are satisfied that at least the areas being energized are secure. They probably needed the power to get the fire pumps up and running- a requirement for construction after you go higher than city water pressure will reach, which is maybe a dozen or so floors. Just speculating.


What I don't understand is why there is so much wood where the glass panels are supposed to be. Is it just wrapping? Does anyone know? :dunno:

Gdad, that's a conspiracy theory I don't buy.

I've asked about the wood over the glass weeks ago (see previous two pages of this thread). I've guessed it's because of cracked glass, but that would be a LOT of cracked glass. I also think it could simply be to PROTECT the glass in a work area....

Gdad, that's a conspiracy theory I don't buy.

10-4 - Just don't say it is a cryptic rumor.

lol.

Looks like they are getting ready to pour the pool area and remaining southern 1/3 of the project soon.

... 'course this could take weeks or more, but I'm hoping that it happens within the next 24. :)

Q that's more work than they've done on the south side terrace in the last 48 hours than they've done in 2 months. If the pour doesn't happen tomorrow morning, I expect it early next week.

Looks like they also poured the east half of the 17th floor this morning and are now laying the framework for the west part of the 18th floor. At this pace they should be laying the 32nd (which I think is the top) by the end of October

There is no permanant power in the building yet. The only reason that they are installing glass in certain places rather than others is because of availability. The glazing contracor is responsible for hanging the pieces that are available.

Q that's more work than they've done on the south side terrace in the last 48 hours than they've done in 2 months. If the pour doesn't happen tomorrow morning, I expect it early next week.

Yeah, they've really kicked it into high gear and I hope that they get around to the pour early next week.

As of 10:30 this a.m. they're lifting the crane another few notches... :) I'm trying to catch it on the tecocam, but to no avail.

With the increase in tower height, the angle of view from the cam is no longer in play -- not to mention the tecocam is "off line or abnormal" more often than not. :(

There is weather around. They may just be practicing for tomorrow.

Bah, scratch that with the weather.

Well, I was right about them handling it Sunday... They did it this morning. Now the question is when they'll be adjusting the camera on top of Rivergate Tower to compensate for the new crane mast height.

So much as for that pour happening "Early next week" :P

Meanwhile -- 19 floors and counting!

I was looking at this date Aug 03, 2005 and I was amazed with how fast this project is getting off the ground. Now if only Trump's site had this ambition to build at the speed of Novare- Intown.

Question for anyone: In the upper left hand corner of the Skypoint web cam image (http://www.oxblue.com/client/rjgcameras/skypoint/) is a gray building that appears to be under construction. Do you what it is (Residences at Franklin)? If so, where is the Fly in the image relative to the building? Thanks!

Fly is just north of the Residences of Franklin on the same side of the street. You can't see it in that view. You are looking north in the Oxblue webcam.

^^ Yep. Looks like they are painting the south wall of the Res./Franklin. You can see it by going to the Oxblue website that Tallaman identified above. Looks like lots of white right now...

It's nice to see Skypoint starting to take on a character of its own in our skyline.

I like it! :)

I went to Fly today. Let me tell you this, the place is damn popular. They had like a two-hour wait, but it is worth it. The food is amazing and the drinks are really really cheap. For a great view of the city sit up on the rooftop bar. Awesome views minus the occasional hobo coming by. I recommend this place.

If you want really-really cheap drinks go to the HUB.

Speaking of bar's -- they are framing the pool-deck bar with rebarb and stuff on Skypoint. Still have done no concrete pour (besides the pool-floor).

I want to see the 8th-10th floor glass on the front of the building... It's going to look great when there isn't this big gaping hole....

FINALLY doing a concrete pour on the pooldeck as I write this. Not sure if it's the entire pooldeck or what.

That is one hell of a concrete pumper!!! Wow!!

Dass hwat i'm talkin' 'bout! :)

Dayz movin' rite along, nah...

starting work on the 22nd floor -- that's keeping on pace for topping out in early November.

here are the links to two panoramas i did this evening of skypoints progress. i plan on doing a bunch of these around tampa when i get the chance and link them to a virtual map.

http://www.interactivedesigndecisions.com/sky01.html

http://www.interactivedesigndecisions.com/sky02.html

^That's pretty nifty jahdsh. Well done. I can actually see some people downtown in one of them! It gives some perspective to how well Skypoint is developing relative to other downtown towers.

Thanks, jahdish. Very cool! :)

^That's pretty nifty jahdsh. Well done. I can actually see some people downtown in one of them! It gives some perspective to how well Skypoint is developing relative to other downtown towers.

It goes further than that -- it gives you a perception of how this will become the residential section of downtown. I mean the maas block being leveled, knowing two towers are going up directly north of Skypoint...

It's scary because you aren't seeing much preparation by the city for the new glut of citizens in this section of town. Four towers in close proximity with an average of 400 units? 1600 units... Potentially 1600-3200+ residents in a 4 block radius?

The skyline view from malfunction junction (I-275sb to I-4eb) is getting pretty good lately...

It's interesting to think of what the skyline would look like if even half of the current list of proposals gets built. (it will probably be more like 1/3 built over the next few years)

^^ I think that is a fair assessment, given the recent increase in construction costs and the continued slowdown of the real-estate market.

Anyone have a simple jpeg of the construction? I'm deployed and can't put quicktime on the computer at work to see jahdish's renderings.

It goes further than that -- it gives you a perception of how this will become the residential section of downtown. I mean the maas block being leveled, knowing two towers are going up directly north of Skypoint...

It's scary because you aren't seeing much preparation by the city for the new glut of citizens in this section of town. Four towers in close proximity with an average of 400 units? 1600 units... Potentially 1600-3200+ residents in a 4 block radius?
Good points JF. I'm not sure where I would start if I were a city commisioner, but I think we can agree that the city could be more proactive. If you were a new commish, what would you do to prepare?

It goes back to changes that downtown Tampa needs in general -- sidewalk upgrades (though you cannot do that immediately in front of Skypoint or the still-to-be-constructed towers), crosswalk upgrades/improvements.

Changeup time at Skypoint:

The 25th floor gets poured this week. The framing of the 26th floor and up is smaller than the previous floors of the tower.

They also need to heighten the crane again as well as change the camera.

They've set the first balcony up already. Check out the 10th floor, second section of the tower from the west end.

Been that way for a few weeks - or at least they had the railings up for it.

They brought in more segments for the crane -- another 3 or so. They shoudl be doing the raising later this afternoon or tomorrow.

Still wondering when they are goign to adjust the camera.

I noticed that too. I figure this will be the last time they need to raise the crane. I imagine they'll adjust the camera within a few days.

question -- I used to be able to view the channel 28 interactive cam, but for some reason it will no longer pull up the java script. It stays grey with no right-click option to activate using my mouse.

This is a brand new computer and it's supposed to have all of the latest offerings installed. It was working up until about a week ago and I haven't touched a thing.... just wondering if anyone knows what could have happened. I have no problems with other java enabled scripts, (i.e., Oxblue cams, videos, etc,...)

anyone have a clue? :dunno:

might be a security setting ont he machine, Q...

Well, they've finally backed up the Oxblue camera. You can catch a better view of the tower and the area surrounding Skypoint, including the Residences of Franklin.

They've layed the western half of the 25th floor and are now ready to change up the remaining floors of the tower.

Exciting! Yes, no? Maybe so... hehe :)

Its starting to work on the 26th floor. On the I-275/I-4 interchange in Downtown you get a good look of it. I like how Skypoint's glass is more of a blue compared to the grey or pink glass of other downtown buildings. It mixes it up nicely. :)

I can not wait until it is topped out. It is going to be a beautiful building.

I was noticing skypoint from several vantage points, yesterday. Although I really love the architecture, I am disappointed in the height. I was really expecting it to be as tall as some of the tallest 6 skyscrapers downtown. Skypoint is 80% topped out but only seems to be about 60% of the height of the Sykes (beer can) building. I'm not sure if the final 6 floors are going to be enough to make it stand out as one of the 'tall' downtown buildings. This building would have looked really good with 40+ floors.

I am sure since it not being as tall as the others it is just infill for larger projects in the future.

I was noticing skypoint from several vantage points, yesterday. Although I really love the architecture, I am disappointed in the height. I was really expecting it to be as tall as some of the tallest 6 skyscrapers downtown. Skypoint is 80% topped out but only seems to be about 60% of the height of the Sykes (beer can) building. I'm not sure if the final 6 floors are going to be enough to make it stand out as one of the 'tall' downtown buildings. This building would have looked really good with 40+ floors.

Well its not just 6 more floors they have to build, its also the spire that will probaly add on another 30 feet minimum. sky point could have as much as 100 more feet to go. But yeah it will fall short of other existing office towers. Remember Mosaic and Skypoint 3 will be 460 and 445 feet, which is the range of the Tykes and Lykes (:bash: ) tower heights.

I was on Flickr yesterday and I did a search for Skypoint. This was taken in July. It's an artsy look to the construction...

http://static.flickr.com/44/185923455_7dd4b2ae64_b.jpg

Click here for the Flickr page (http://flickr.com/photos/dshaboy/185923455/?#comment72157594298131038). The photographer has a bunch of great shots of Downtown Tampa too.

Well its not just 6 more floors they have to build, its also the spire that will probaly add on another 30 feet minimum. sky point could have as much as 100 more feet to go. But yeah it will fall short of other existing office towers. Remember Mosaic and Skypoint 3 will be 460 and 445 feet, which is the range of the Tykes and Lykes (:bash: ) tower heights.

Excellent point, FF. What's strange is that if you carefully examine the Skypoint rendering, it appears to actually be 34 stories.

Could it be that there are only 31 residential floors and 3 additional floors added for asthetics?

I hope so! :)

what the hell is that light blue stuff that is just east of the staging area (lower right hand quadrant of the screen on ox blue)???

Its so hard to say. If I had to guess, I would say that it's some sort of insulation panels. Who knows

just seemed weird O. They got tarps over them now. It def. is foam. Maybe sound dampening foam (I think I read somewhere that this was supposed to be a feature on the units).

Also, what is the black items near the truck in the lower left hand of the sight?

Glass panes.

I'm going to take a shot in the dark and say they are panes for the front of the building -- not a specific floor, but for hallway-end that currently is open on every floor.

That is a good possibility.

Skypoint cam went on the fritz at about 7 this morning.

I hope it gets fixed!

The camera is back up and running. Thank God! Now looking at the tower, I can't wait to see what this block looks like in about five years. With the addition of Element, this will becomes Tampa's Novare Block.

The Novare Quarter...lol

Well, the entire discussion is what is POSSIBLE in that area. Remember that the real estate market is strugglign right now... Novare might have a good record on their projects but do they fast-track every possible development while the market is flooded not only with suburban homes but also real-estate speculators dumping properties in Channelside?

That area has the potential to be the Novare quarter or something else... but potential alone won't make things happen.

It will be interesting to see the response to Element when the sales office opens.

I think all of these projects need to start to advertise more up North. That I would think would improve sales.

BTW villagerealestate.blogspot has 2 new Skypoint photos of Skypoint now on floor 28.

I think all of these projects need to start to advertise more up North. That I would think would improve sales.

BTW www.villagerealestate.blogspot. has 2 new Skypoint photos of Skypoint now on floor 28.
Agree. If they advertise more up North, than people will most likely look at them first before heading to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale.

So, we only have 4 floors now before Skypoint is topped out!?! That is awesome!

Agree. If they advertise more up North, than people will most likely look at them first before heading to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale.

Of course it will take an attractive, cleaner downtown to attract those people. Which is atleast partially being worked on now, with current projects.

The skypoint webcam is back up and running at the skypoint website. www.skypointcondos.com

If you are interested, just look under the "views" option.

Of course it will take an attractive, cleaner downtown to attract those people. Which is atleast partially being worked on now, with current projects.


As cheesy as It sounds, On the main one way roads, make the sidewalks wider with paver bricks, change the middle lanes to a planter style median with some nice trees.

In addition to that put planters on the corner, and put more attractive streetlamps in the medians. Redesign Lykes Park by taking all of the trees out and put in a fountain in the center and rework the walkways.

In addition to that put planters on the corner, and put more attractive streetlamps in the medians. Redesign Lykes Park by taking all of the trees out and put in a fountain in the center and rework the walkways.

Maybe its just me but I don't think there is anything wrong with Lykes park. If we're going to spend money and time on parks lets make a new park, not try to improve one that I don't think needs improving.

Yea, take all the trees out - then go sit there in July . . .

Yea, take all the trees out - then go sit there in July . . .
You can always jump in the fountain

:scouserd:

Yea, take all the trees out - then go sit there in July . . .

Some would suggest that the park would be a little less "shady." :poke:

Boy do I need a nap! Good to see ya back, Smiley. Haven't seen you around for a while.

You can always jump in the fountain

:scouserd:

Hehe... I don't know, NPRGuy... I think the homeless would use it for bathing. :drunk:

Since they tore down waht was there, they should leave the trees.

You can put a fountain on some other empty block

Hehe... I don't know, NPRGuy... I think the homeless would use it for bathing. :drunk:
2 fountains then. Since Tampa is full of bad ideas, I think this could work!

Yea, take all the trees out - then go sit there in July . . .

Ok for some reason when I wrote that I was sitting in the ac so I did not think about the heat, but how about this... keep trees and put a fountain...lol

Ok for some reason when I wrote that I was sitting in the ac so I did not think about the heat, but how about this... keep trees and put a fountain...lol


Fountain wouldn't be a bad idea for another, new park, replacing an abandoned lot. :cough: Channelside :cough:

Fountain wouldn't be a bad idea for another, new park, replacing an abandoned lot. :cough: Channelside :cough:
parks for channelside? now that is thinking outside the box FF. Come back to Tampa reality

I would love to see a park in Channelside with a fountain.

parks for channelside? now that is thinking outside the box FF. Come back to Tampa reality

No parks? Fine, how about a space needle observation deck. Surely the FAA wouldn't mind. Oh wait never mind. :bash:

No parks? Fine, how about a space needle observation deck. Surely the FAA wouldn't mind. Oh wait never mind. :bash:
Yeah, think about all the airplanes that will be crashing into it when it jumps out right in front of them. :doh:

Tampamob: what is your fetish with fountains? If you want one, put one in you front yard.

I was looking at the skypoint cam, and the upper floors do not look like the rendering. Aren't the upper floors supposed to be "recessed" in a little (starting at around floor 26)? The actual building is at floor 29, now, and I cannot tell that these floors are "narrower".

When I was DT today I was looking at just that. It looks like they actually have made the Sky Collection about two feet (from the ground view) narrower.

Off topic: Would anyone know what that billboard is for on the lot across from Skypoint?

The billboard in the lot between Skypoint and the Courtyard Marriott is an advertisement for "The Slade" the condo project in Channelside.

The billboard in the lot between Skypoint and the Courtyard Marriott is an advertisement for "The Slade" the condo project in Channelside.
Thanks! I was looking at on oxblue and tried to get in closer and it got all blurry and I was like "oooohhhhh".

HELL YEAH!!! They are almost done with the 31st floor on SkyPoint!!! Uno mas and then our first (major) topped out building in quite a few years. I am thinking by the end of November Skypoint will have finished the outer portion. When are they going to start moving residents into the lower floors of the building?

they are not beginning closings on any of the building until late march early aril of next year

HELL YEAH!!! They are almost done with the 31st floor on SkyPoint!!! Uno mas and then our first (major) topped out building in quite a few years. I am thinking by the end of November Skypoint will have finished the outer portion. When are they going to start moving residents into the lower floors of the building?

No can do tampamobster. You cant move residents into an unfinished highrise running on temporary power, and a GC's water meter.

Plus, it won't be topped out until they erect the spire...

HELL YEAH!!! They are almost done with the 31st floor on SkyPoint!!! Uno mas and then our first (major) topped out building in quite a few years. I am thinking by the end of November Skypoint will have finished the outer portion. When are they going to start moving residents into the lower floors of the building?

They are only framing the 31st floor now. It's not finished until it's poured. Lets not get ahead of ourselves.

The building needs a lot of work before anyone moves in anywhere...

On a sidenote -- the Ox Blue people deleted the week of malfunctioning camera antics from the Skypoint camera page

HELL YEAH!!! They are almost done with the 31st floor on SkyPoint!!! Uno mas and then our first (major) topped out building in quite a few years. I am thinking by the end of November Skypoint will have finished the outer portion. When are they going to start moving residents into the lower floors of the building?

Even after they pour the 32nd floor... won't they have to add a roof before they raise the spire??

Ok so I was exaggerating a lot.

^^ :)

After a close review of the rendering, it appears that there are 3 additional floors of development left to finish (includes the spire section).

I took the crosstown to Brandon this afternoon and the skyline is markedly different already. It's lookin' goooood!

From the same Flickr user who took the "Arcane" picture of SKypoint:

http://static.flickr.com/85/250870561_df637d07c1_b.jpg

(and in case that doesn't show -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/dshaboy/250870561/ )

That picture was taken in like late September.

By this time next year, that northern DT area is going to look so different..

You could by then have all construction going on,
Element
610 Franklin
Venu
Trump Tower
Martin
Blu Channelside 2 towers..
Seaboard Square 4 towers

With HI Plaza-- Skypoint-- and TOC- 2 towers all completed..

By this time next year, that northern DT area is going to look so different..

You could by then have all construction going on,
Element
610 Franklin
Venu
Trump Tower
Martin
Blu Channelside 2 towers..
Seaboard Square 4 towers

With HI Plaza-- Skypoint-- and TOC- 2 towers all completed..


Actually Trump isn't rellay in that view and is more South. Seaboard, Martin, Blu, HI Plaza, and TOC are all in Channelside. A more accurate list of Northern Downtown would be...

Element
610 Franklin
Royal
Venu
Skypoint 3

With Skypoint and some smaller stuff completed.
But you are right in which it will be a much more impressive view when/if the stuff gets built.:)

That picture was taken in like late September.

And that's a problem because...?

By this time next year, that northern DT area is going to look so different..

You could by then have all construction going on,
Element
610 Franklin
Venu
Trump Tower
Martin
Blu Channelside 2 towers..
Seaboard Square 4 towers

With HI Plaza-- Skypoint-- and TOC- 2 towers all completed..

Venu, Trump Tower, and the channelside projects aren't in North downtown.

I know that..

I just get excited and want to see it all come to fruition..

Nonetheless northern DT is going to look like a cluster ----------..

I was just stating that the picture is from late September is all.

Does anyone have information as to whether Skypoint is really going to be taller than 32 floors? The floor of the 32nd story is starting to be laid and the top of the building looks nothing like the rendering. Is it possible that there will be a few more floors to this building?

For a good indication of the final hieght, realize that they aren't going to jack the tower crane again...

Looks like 2-3 more mech floors on top of the 32nd floor, plus the spire... In terms of its look on the skyline, it will be incrementally taller than it is now... In terms of the official hieght figure though, it looks like it has like another 55-80ft to go.

Does anyone have information as to whether Skypoint is really going to be taller than 32 floors? The floor of the 32nd story is starting to be laid and the top of the building looks nothing like the rendering. Is it possible that there will be a few more floors to this building?

Skypoint has 31 residential floors; and then just add an additional 3 floors of construction for asthetics. :)

I'm looking forward to them adding the tree to top it off when they actually reach the top.

Jason's correct -- they won't be raising the crane again.

For a good indication of the final hieght, realize that they aren't going to jack the tower crane again...

Looks like 2-3 more mech floors on top of the 32nd floor, plus the spire... In terms of its look on the skyline, it will be incrementally taller than it is now... In terms of the official hieght figure though, it looks like it has like another 55-80ft to go.

Yor're right. Skypoint still has a month or two to go before being officially topped out. Which means Skypoint should definitley be a 400 footer to spire when its all said and done.:)

Well, I've long speculated that it would be damn close to 400ft with the spire, if not just over... But the hieght number always given has been 370ft...

they're adding a couple of more sections to the tower crane this afternoon. With the 32nd floor frames going in, I figured there wouldn't be any more raising the crane at this point.

I figured they'd add a segment or two -- probably just one. I'm shocked they are doing it mid-week but it's gotta happen sometime.

Well, I've long speculated that it would be damn close to 400ft with the spire, if not just over... But the hieght number always given has been 370ft...

I wouldn't surprised if that was just to the top of the residential part of the tower. Notice a couple more mechanical floors will probaly be added on to the original 32 floors. Its very possible that they didn't add those few extra floors' height on to the 370 figure that you have, which I don't think I ever heard an official height on Skypoint anyway. In short, adding 30 feet to 370 for 3 extra mechanical floors. Therefore my guess for final height is right on 400 feet to the top of spire. :)

double post

What the heck are "mechanical floors"? I would think that the top floors of a residential tower would be devoted to penthouse dwellings.

Can someone with construction knowledge explain why they decided to raise the crane again? It seemed to be plenty high enough to finish up the upper portion of the project.

Maybe it just appeared to be high enough from the camera's vantage point, but I'm curious. :dunno:

What the heck are "mechanical floors"? I would think that the top floors of a residential tower would be devoted to penthouse dwellings.

Every major tower project needs to put equipment for the environment of the building somewhere -- and in this case, it will be part of the roof structure. In MOST cases it's part of the roof structure. By talking about "floors" above 32, we're not talking about residential/occupying floors, we're talking about space so they can put in the air conditioning system, The elevator system, etc.

I'm not keen on everything that goes up there but I though it was obvious that space has to be devoted to things like that.

they're adding a couple of more sections to the tower crane this afternoon. With the 32nd floor frames going in, I figured there wouldn't be any more raising the crane at this point.

wtf? that surpises me quite a bit... why didn't they just add them before, instead of spending more money to do it again?

Can someone with construction knowledge explain why they decided to raise the crane again? It seemed to be plenty high enough to finish up the upper portion of the project.

Maybe it just appeared to be high enough from the camera's vantage point, but I'm curious. :dunno:

:banana: Alright, I finally found the link to the camera, as I had previously deleted it. I've never seen the building in person but it would make sense that if they still need to form up the slope roof with a spire than the crane definetly wasnt't tall enough (from the pictures).

The reason that they waited probably has a great deal to do with the last tie off location. If you look down the body of the crane there is an even spacing between these locations on the building. My guess is that the last fully completed floor (to date) was designated as the last tie off location. Kind of sucks, like you said Jason, to mobilize a crew to jump a crane twice. But until that floor has reached strength the contractor would have too wait before the segments can be added, otherwise you run a huge risk of putting unrealistic loads caused by the natural sway of the crane on the building.

Thanks for the clarification, orlandonative. That makes sense.

OK, so we all know this is the final residential floor on the building... We also all can agree topping out isn't for a while yet (maybe later this month, maybe December) but I was wondering about other things that we will see on the site.

I guess what stands out (as a question) for me most is paint on the exterior of the building. I realize the tower itself can't be painted until later (if they are going with a look other than exposed concrete) but the parking garage levels are due to be painted -- when should we see that begin?

What other events should be evident from the camera's perspective that are of note?

windows...

More lights being added in. I'm not sure what side of the building the retail is facing but when they start putting in doors and windows for that stuff. And not just windows but more glass all over. I would think painting would begin soon.

???

glass = windows, no?

:D

^^I get what your saying. But when I look at the rendering it appears as though some facade will be covered in glass too. Like some of the actual concrete or whatever they used. But I'm no construction person, this is the first time I've watched a tower go up.:lol:

I have always wondered what is going to happen to the portion of the tower crane that is inclosed by the garage... will it be left in place when the building is finished?? if it's taken out wouldn't there be a large hole where the crane used to be????

You guys are all right, there will be more glass. The only other major exterior work will be the pre-fab balcony railings. Paint looks to be pretty minimal on this job so I imagine it can be competed pretty quickly. One thing that suprises me is the fact that there was no precast on the garage (or at least I can't see any embeds). Its slightly more expensive but it looks so much better on the garages.

The crane hole will be filled in afterwards. probably much like how it was filled in at Embassy Suites.

I think the question is, how will the crane get itself out?

^^ with a little help from his friends... :cheers:

the crane jacks itself down until another crane can be used to disassemble the remaining portion.

^^ with a little help from his friends... :cheers:

OK, new qusetion:

Ringo Starr or Joe Cocker? :P :)

Skypoint cam has gone down again. Not that we're missing much (It's Sunday).

Everything came back a few hours later. And the camera was not "Down" but it did miss a few photos between 1 AM -6 AM and 6 AM till mid-day.

So many scattered images in the camera log. So many missing times.

[IMG][IMG]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i309/dmpeek77/skypoint.jpgA pic I took today of skypoint

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i309/dmpeek77/skypoint.jpg

I was at the Skypoint site today in the same spot.

love the perspective. I would love to see a picture from the front of Skypoint, same perspective, but AFTER they finally put all the glass in place. Looking at some fo the pictures out there of Skypoint, it looks like an eyesore form up front right now in some of the shots.

BTW -- 32 floors entirely poured and complete (floors and ceilings). You can see they are working on the roof structure now. You can also see on the pool deck places they have made for planters and such...

speaking of pool deck and skypoint, looks like they are having a party right now (2 PM)

^^ I just checked out the site and there are at least 100 people on the deck. It, indeed, looks like a party! They've also planted some of the trees around the pool area. How cool is that? :)

Possibly a celebration of the residences topping out?

Could it possibly have been the crew putting in the plants?!?

Could it possibly have been the crew putting in the plants?!?

I don't think putting in plants on the pool deck would need that many people or require a party. Now if they put the tree at the top signaling that the building was topped out that might be a different story, but I don't see a tree up there, and don't expect one for a few more weeks.

Way too early for any plants being put in on the deck at this time. They have more stuff to worry about then plants. Yeah, most likely the guys were up there to celebrate the last floor for the tower. And I would be doing the same with them. All we have to wait for now is completely topping off and the rest after that and then we'll be down. I say an February/March completion. Hopefully on my birthday!!! :)

Sorry, I should have stated it was a bad joke.

there is a tree on the top and it is lit up with red lights on the southeast corner of the top of the building

I wonder why the top two floors are taking so long.

Mechanical Floors could take extra wiring or some other special needs, compared to residential floors.

I wonder why the top two floors are taking so long.

Dude, it's thanksgiving week. You expect full steam ahead on the project through the holiday? Come on now.

The entire Skypoint construction was slow out of the gate this time last year -- it does not haste until after the holidays, so if this doesn't top out by new years it will not surprise me one bit.

And you can see that only one bit of framing has taken place on the 33rd floor -- we can't say there has been concrete dumped into those castings, that might be another reason why the 33 isn't complete -- concrete isn't being supplied this week maybe?

John, you're correct. Things seem to slow down considerably during the holidays. As of this afternoon, we know that they have, indeed, poured the castings towards the front of the tower on the 33rd. The castings have been removed for all to see. :)

What I've noticed over the past month or so is that they've slowed down on installing the windows. Maybe there is a higher concentration on the inside of the bldg. :dunno:

The glass supplier is apparently the same company supplying: Towers at Channelside, Grand Central, Ventana, The Place as well as Skypoint and others. Rumor has it there is a severe shortage of glass. In fact if you look closely at some of these projects you'll see what looks like glass is really just plastic at this point. Should be interesting as all these projects compete to get finished in 07

Well they removed the trees from around the pool area last night. Wonder what's up with dat? :dunno:

Well they removed the trees from around the pool area last night. Wonder what's up with dat? :dunno:

My guess is that those were just potted plants that were set up for the little rooftop party they had a while back...

OK, I understand what is going on now at the top of the building.

33rd floor basically WAS the top of the structure. You see the elevator shaft has been extended 2 sections instead of just one to finish the shaft. There is section/floor 34 that will be poured near the front of the building - that's goign to be part of the location of the spire. Whenever we saw renderings of skypoint you never saw the entire profile of the building -- just the front looking west-to-east.

If there was going to be more to the 34th floor (meaning it covering the building more) we would have seen the concrete pump arm extended another segment. That isn't the case.

So they topped out (technically) before thanksgiving with just the spire to go.

So work remains on the glass, painting the exterior, interior work, the pool deck and landscaping on the terrace and pool decks as well as around the building.

So does anyone know when they will officially open the doors to their residents? I think someone here mentioned sometime in March. That seems optimistic to me.

i was told the are going to begin closings april 1st. starting from the bottom floors with around 100 closings per month.

I don't know about you, but I like these Novare! With all the back and forth on the "cut & paste" of their designs, at least they run a smooth operation. I mean from the time the announce a project, prepare the site, handle sales, begin construction, go verticle, set anticipated closing dates, and continue to announce even more projects...they ARE the real deal.
So what if the designs are somewhat similiar to their other projects? Most developers have a distinct style and this is theirs.
Much better then the parking lots we had before. They could and should continue to build on their success and we are lucky to have them believe in OUR market!
Go back a year or two and see where most others are and I think you will agree?

Looks like they're painting parts of the garage area in a light blue color. Hummm...

who knows. It will probably change before the project is complete.

Well, they're finally removing the blue sheeting from some of the windows. If you want to finally see what the glass is going to look like check out the first floor around the pool area at the following link:

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

wew....good to see the real color. That blue reminded me of the ugly police station down the block!

wew....good to see the real color. That blue reminded me of the ugly police station down the block!

Tampa needs a newer nicer looking Police station in my opinion. The one they have now is the ugliest I've seen ever.

Here's an interesting webcam shot of Novare's 'ViewPoint' under construction with Novare's completed 'Spire' (I think its Spire) project just to the left, in Atlanta. I found this interesting because its a Novare cluster forming just like what is building up in Tampa. There cluster is just ahead of ours in progress.

http://novare.oxblue.com/viewpoint/

Here's an interesting webcam shot of Novare's 'ViewPoint' under construction with Novare's completed 'Spire' (I think its Spire) project just to the left, in Atlanta. I found this interesting because its a Novare cluster forming just like what is building up in Tampa. There cluster is just ahead of ours in progress.

http://novare.oxblue.com/viewpoint/
Although their "Novare cluster" is way ahead of us, I did notice how much slow progress was on that toer U/C. I went back a month ago and since then they only completed one floor. Maybe it is the holiday that has slowed down the construction, but something to bring up.

Well, they've finally installed the first sections of glass (on the first floor) under the garage portion of the project.

Yippee! :)

Looks like there about to erect a structure were the spire should go. Is this the beginnings of the spire or is it just another platform for the spire to sit?

^^ I believe that it's the last section upon which the spire will sit. After, again, looking at the rendering and with height taken into consideration it would be considered the 34th floor. The rendering suggests that this small section will be wrapped in glass only for asthetics.

The concrete platform and spire will rest on top of this section which will add another 20 - 30 feet.

I think this will be closing in on 400 feet

Oh sweet, I didn't notice -- they've put up glass on the southwest side of the building -- meaning the storefront and some of the main entrance to the building.

Meanwhile, that "painting" I think you saw, Q, was actually some sort of primer and sealing thing. They did it over and over again on the eyelet/window areas of the garage. All of that is prep work for painting (which I imagine will still be white like we've seen in the rendering for the building).

Any word on the businesses that are supposed to take up shop in the retail space of the tower?

I drove by today. The glass on the ground floor looks nice, and the spire is taking shape. It looks nearly as tall as the Lykes building next door (sans the antennae). I'm curious as to what the final height will be.

For the longest time I thought that the 33 and 34th floors were going to go all of the way across. Now I see that they are for asthetics, or are they going to be mechanical? What are going to do with the rest of the space on the 33rd floor?

I am probably the only one who feels like this but with only partial glass on the building (and not entire floors at a time -- a patchwork on each floor -- I'm starting to look at the tower as a partially constructed eyesore.

I mean, it's going to be great and a nice addition of residences downtown by right now? Concrete and partial glass worth gaping holes and such? Eyesore.

^lol

Well of course it's an eyesore while u/c... If you think about it, exactly what kind of construction looks good while underway?