Pinellas Development News (St Pete, Clearwater, Beaches) [Archive] - Page 4

smiley

January 8th, 2006, 10:20 PM

Shops, 108 condos to rise from stretch of old stores
By SHARON L. BOND, Times Staff Writer
Published January 8, 2006

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ST. PETERSBURG - Part of the 600 block of Central Avenue is slated to become home to a 15-story mixed-use project that will have 108 condominiums.

Prices will range from the high $200,000s to the mid $600,000s, excluding the penthouses, said Gerald Pacella, chairman of TEF Development of St. Petersburg.

"We will have about 3,600 square feet for penthouses," Pacella said. That could mean one large penthouse or two smaller ones. Specific amenities for the project are still on the drawing board.

The area for the building runs from 601 to 659 Central Ave. and for years has been occupied by small, worn shops of individual merchants who sell antiques, retro goods, records, clothing and gift items. Many moved when rumors of construction began several months ago. Some who remain say that business has been hurt by the empty storefronts, which attract vagrants.

The stretch of Central slated for the new building includes the historic Crislip Arcade, which builders will try to reproduce. It does not include the State Theater.

Developer TEF is from New Jersey, and this will be its first Florida project.

"We did market research and it came up very strong in favor of future opportunities in Florida," Pacella said. "When we visited (St. Petersburg) and physically kicked the tires, it was hard not to get excited."

The current name for the project: the Residences at 601 Central.

Pacella said studies showed that young professional and empty-nest couples would be buyers for the condominiums.

He also lauded the cultural climate in St. Petersburg, mentioning the Arts Village, a planned condo project that will have studios, galleries and a new Arts Center.

"If not directly, then indirectly we would like to be involved," Pacella said.

Pacella said he is buying the land for the building from John A. Crislip and his sister, Marion Graves. He would not disclose the contract sales price.

Crislip said his family has owned parts of the 600 block of Central for more than 80 years.

"We have had interest before but felt it ought to be something really substantial because of the location. It is so close to the heart of the downtown area," said Crislip, who would not disclose the agreed-upon sales price either.

The Residences at 601 Central will include four floors of parking above 15,000 square feet of retail space. The northwest corner of Central and Sixth Street will be the signature corner for the retail portion, Pacella said. It will get 7,000 square feet of the retail space and be either an upscale restaurant or unique food market, he said. That would leave room for another half a dozen shops.

The project is scheduled for its first airing before city officials on Feb. 1. Pacella said that construction would take about 18 months.

Before it can get under way, however, 16 shops will have to be torn down.

Manny Matalon is among the merchants who stayed. He owns Daddy Kool Records and has been on Central in several locations for 10 years.

"The people who are still here have less customers because there are less stores. People walking down the street see a whole bunch of empty stores and think there is no reason to shop," Matalon said.

At 601 Central, the former home of Tudor Antiques, a sign tells shoppers that stores at the end of the block are open for business.

"Because there are no tenants, it has increased the amount of vagrants," Matalon said. In his 10 years on the avenue, it is the worst he has seen.

Matalon said he has no eviction notice and no idea when any action might start on his portion of the block.

"I definitely understand about progress," he said, but added that he wished he could stay as development improves Central Avenue.

"We have dealt with all the crap and the minute it gets good, they are going to kick us all out."

[Last modified January 8, 2006, 00:44:19]
http://sptimes.com/2006/01/08/Neighborhoodtimes/Shops__108_condos_to_.shtml

Jahi98

January 9th, 2006, 06:17 AM

^^That should be a nice project for that stretch of Central Avenue, and begin the connection of activity between the main core of DT and the dome district along with the Arts Center project. The section of Central Ave. between 4th Street and MLK does feel pretty dead. Maybe those remaining stores that are being displaced could find space further west in the Grand Central district.

gstolze

January 9th, 2006, 08:43 AM

http://www.myclearwater.com/gov/depts/pwa/engin/projects/beachwalk/index.asp

This is cool. If you scroll down you see the biggest of the planned private projects for Clearwater Beach.

TampaMike

January 9th, 2006, 03:29 PM

Hope this works, it might be too small.

http://www.sandpearl.com/resort/overview/images.php#
http://www.sandpearl.com/resort/overview/images.php#
http://www.sandpearl.com/resort/overview/images.php#

Here is some updates:

December 2005

A Peek Above Ground

Continuing the important foundation work that has been in progress for several months, the Sandpearl Residences construction site looks somewhat as it did last month – though now more than 110 of the 160 caissons are in place deep into the soil. One significant difference, however, is that the structural contractor has started installing pile caps (concrete slabs placed over a group of caissons) and grade beams (concrete slabs that connect adjacent pile caps). And more than a third of the ground floor columns are in place above ground – and ready to support the second floor.

On the Sandpearl Resort portion of the community – the north side – more than 75 percent of the auger-cast pilings are now in place, with preparation for pile caps and grade beams under way. In addition, formwork for reinforced shear walls is in progress where the elevators will be placed.

And speaking of the new year! We’d like to take this moment to wish all Sandpearl residents, friends and casual visitors to this Web site the very best of the holiday season, and a happy and prosperous New Year.

Click http://www.sandpearl.com/resort/overview/progress.php to view construction progress to date.

TampaMike

January 9th, 2006, 03:36 PM

I have a question.

CAN ANYONE MAKE A DIAGRAM OF ALL CLEARWATER PROJECTS?

smiley

January 22nd, 2006, 10:04 PM

Before the condos appear, a time capsule is recovered
The former federal building downtown will soon be knocked down.
By JON WILSON, Times Staff Writer
Published January 22, 2006

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ST. PETERSBURG - At 9:43 a.m. Friday, Cantor Development employee Larry Putnam applied an angle cutter to a 40-year-old time capsule pulled from the old downtown federal building's cornerstone.

Particles flew and a faint metallic aroma filled a room at 100 First Ave. S, where a 35-story condominium called Signature Place will rise.

Scheduled for a March groundbreaking, it will replace what originally was the William C. Cramer federal building, named for the congressman who died in 2003.

Sara Cramer, his widow, pulled open the time capsule's lid after Putnam finished the cut.

Dennis Dorsey, a General Services Administration senior adviser from Atlanta, pulled out the contents:

A typed history of major events leading up to the building's construction, which cost $5.3-million.

A copy of the Jones Journal, the original contractor's corporate publication.

A Dec. 14, 1966, copy of the St. Petersburg Times, wrapped neatly in a plastic bag.

It was 10 cents per copy then, and the leading headline referred to bombing in North Vietnam.

The items elicited no gasps from the few officials, spectators and media folks assembled. But they are worthwhile documents for the historic record. They are considered government property.

"We have no idea what's inside this capsule," Dorsey said before the opening. "We'll decide what to do with (the contents)."

The boxy, eight-story building was completed in 1967. Federal employees were transferred in 1999 and the government sold the building for $3.9-million to Joel Cantor's Gulf Atlantic Real Estate.

Cantor renovated the building, renaming it BayView Tower.

Last year, he announced plans for a thin, triangle-shaped condominium complex whose units will cost $350,000 to $7-million.

The project will get under way in March when the old building is knocked down, Cantor said.

The $150-million project "is going to really change the skyline for St. Petersburg," he said.

[Last modified January 22, 2006, 01:02:19]
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/01/22/Neighborhoodtimes/Before_the_condos_app.shtml

Jasonhouse

January 22nd, 2006, 11:55 PM

I have a question.

CAN ANYONE MAKE A DIAGRAM OF ALL CLEARWATER PROJECTS?

Your best bet is to provide info and renderings of all of the projects to have any hope of someone taking the time to draw elevations for all of them.

I-275westcoastfl

January 23rd, 2006, 01:29 AM

smiley

January 23rd, 2006, 04:11 AM

March groundbreaking is nice.

As for Clearwater, the st pete times had some good graphics on downtown and the beach which are linked somewhere in here - or you can goole them

smiley

January 29th, 2006, 08:17 PM

Building to mix business, living
The 16-story tower will be on the southeast corner of First Avenue S and Fourth Street and have retail and condominiums.
By SHARON L. BOND, Times Staff Writer
Published January 29, 2006

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ST. PETERSBURG - A downtown corner now home to an empty building will be developed into a 16-story tower that will have retail, parking and both office and residential condominiums.

This project will differ from the many others recently built or now under construction downtown because 70 percent of its space will go to commercial interests and only 30 percent to residential. Most of the condominium projects built or under construction in downtown St. Petersburg offer some commercial space, usually at street level, but are mostly for residences.

Triann Tower will be built on the southeast corner of First Avenue S and Fourth Street. Steve Anderson is manager of the company that will develop the site. He said the project came about after he and his partners had trouble finding office space for their companies.

"We bought the property," said Anderson. "It does not include the Masonic building."

Details on size and number of units have not been finalized, Anderson said. He hired Sydness Architects P.C. of New York City to design the project.

The small, one-story building on the site once housed Shouppe Travel Center and then Sir Speedy print business. Sir Speedy moved to First Avenue N in 2003.

The development site is just across Fourth Street from the St. Petersburg Times building.

[Last modified January 29, 2006, 01:27:17]
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/01/29/Neighborhoodtimes/Building_to_mix_busin.shtml

TallTampa

January 30th, 2006, 03:41 PM

This is very encouraging.

SDK4

January 31st, 2006, 01:39 AM

How much are the residential units going to start at? For a project with such a majority of commercial space it would be interesting to see how much they sell them for.

biga1968

January 31st, 2006, 01:58 AM

Since it is only 16 story and 70% will be commercial or 11 story. Are there room for swimming pool, club house, gym, etc.?

Jasonhouse

January 31st, 2006, 02:43 AM

^it will be less floors than that for the condo portion, as probably 3 or even 4 floors will be for parking and the lobby.

smiley

February 1st, 2006, 03:43 PM

Condos galore to go before environmental commission
Projects at 401 Fourth St. N and 950 Central Ave. are among the designs being reviewed today.
By SHARON L. BOND, Times Staff Writer
Published February 1, 2006

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ST. PETERSBURG - Two more examples of condominium developments locating out of the downtown core are the 20-story, 70-unit project planned for 401 Fourth St. N and the redesigned, larger Tamarind on Central Avenue.

The two get their first public airing by members of the Environmental Development Commission today.

A number of previously announced projects also are before the EDC, including Residences at 601 Central, with 15 stories and 108 residences; the Ovation at 140 Beach Drive NE, 26 stories and 40 estate-sized residences; and Signature Place, with 35 stories and 221 units. Signature is back before the EDC because developers want an additional 24 feet in height to accommodate a more efficient air-conditioning system.

Not yet named, the Fourth Street project will sit at the northeast corner of Fourth Street and Fourth Avenue. One of the city's earlier condo projects, three-story Straub Court, is next door.

"It's a modest facility," said C. Randolph Wedding of Wedding, Stephenson & Ibarguen, architects and engineers for the Fourth Street project. "It's aimed at more moderately priced, under $500,000."

He said no exact prices had been set and that sizes would include one-, two- and three-bedroom units. The building will include 14 stories of residences, four levels of parking, one level of amenities for residents and street-level retail.

The proximity of Straub Court prompted the city's development review staff to require changes in the design, which would have the four levels of parking facing the windows of Straub Court.

"The design of these open garage levels must be revised to appear more like smaller window openings with decorative grilles or other devices," said the staff report to the EDC.

The Tamarind, 950 Central Ave., is being built by First Dartmouth Homes. It first cleared the EDC last year as a 10-story, condo-retail development that would have 211 units.

Now it is planned as having a five-story base and two towers atop the base. Facing Central Avenue, the north tower will be six stories over the base. Facing First Avenue S, the south towers will rise 22 stories above the base.

The Tamarind will have 270 units, 430 parking spaces and a specialty grocery in the retail space on the ground floors. The second plan called for 285 units, but developer Frank Maggio said some of the smaller units would be combined.

First Dartmouth sought an expansion of the project after it bought a strip of land between the site and the First Avenue S right of way. The company paid $600,000 for the 18-foot-wide, 1,000-foot-long piece of land. It was not usable itself, except as access, but it carried development rights that allowed First Dartmouth to increase the number of stories and units, Maggio said.

First Dartmouth had to agree to keep the taller of the towers on the First Avenue S side. When Tamarind was announced last year, Maggio called it a project of entry-level units. The higher number of units means now that prices will drop into the low $200,000s, he said.

[Last modified February 1, 2006, 01:03:19]
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/02/01/Neighborhoodtimes/Condos_galore_to_go_b.shtml

smiley

February 1st, 2006, 03:44 PM

Wrecking ball getting ready to make signature
By SHARON L. BOND, Times Staff Writer
Published February 1, 2006

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ST. PETERSBURG - Interior demolition is under way at the former Cramer federal building downtown, and the wrecking ball will start on the exterior March 8 to make way for Signature Place, the wavy triangle condominium building.

Developer Joel Cantor said a construction fence will go up around the property at 100 First Ave. S soon. Progress Energy will have to relocate a chunk of electrical grids in the building before demolition starts, he said.

About 80 percent of the 221 units in Signature Place have sold. Buyers are coming from all over the country, and some are international. Most have said they want to live in St. Petersburg full time, Cantor said.

Architect Ralph Johnson of Perkins+

Will from Chicago designed Signature Place, which will be built of glass and aluminum. It will have 35 stories.
Prices on units range between $380,000 and $3.5-million. There was a $7-million unit, but it was broken into smaller sizes, Cantor said. Some units in each of the four designs were kept off the market and will be offered later, he said.

"Now we are starting to market the office condominiums," Cantor said.

The building has 40,000 square feet of space for office condominiums on three floors. The typical size will be 2,800 square feet, Cantor said.

At 390 feet high, Signature Place will be tied with the Arts Village, another planned condominium project, as the tallest building in St. Petersburg. Both, if built as planned, would top the current tallest, the Bank of America building, by 4 feet.

Fifth Third Bank is financing the $150-million project, Cantor said, and it will have a branch in the building.

[Last modified February 1, 2006, 01:03:19]
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/02/01/Neighborhoodtimes/Wrecking_ball_getting.shtml

smiley

February 11th, 2006, 06:31 PM

USF St. PEte dorm (it's almost done)
http://www.bn9.com/images/news/2006/2/11/lgres.jpg

smiley

February 11th, 2006, 06:58 PM

From the Trib

More Condos Coming To Downtown St. Pete
ST. PETERSBURG - Mayor Rick Baker and others broke ground Friday on the latest addition to downtown, a $53.5 million condominium development with units starting at $300,000.

The Sage, at 419 Fourth St. S., will consist of 32 units between two courtyard buildings and an 80-unit, 12-story tower with panoramic views of downtown and the waterfront through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Units will cost from $300,000 for courtyard residences to $600,000 for tower residences. Occupancy is scheduled for summer 2007.

Carlos Moncada
http://www.tbo.com/news/MGBF0RMFJJE.html

smiley

February 11th, 2006, 07:01 PM

http://images1.e-net.com/smith/development/full/183.jpg

TampaMike

February 12th, 2006, 04:36 AM

Wonder why this hasn't been posted yet..

Developer unveils its plans for beachfront condo-hotel
By CHRISTINA K. COSDON, Times Staff Writer
Published February 5, 2006

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CLEARWATER - Where now there is open beachfront on the site of the former Adam's Mark Resort, construction is to begin this fall on twin tower luxury condominiums.

The West Indies style Indigo Beach Residences are to feature a 112-unit private residence tower and a 78-unit condominium/hotel tower. The 100- and 150-feet tall towers will be built over three decks of parking.

Designed by the architectural firm of Curts, Gaines, Hall, Jones of Tampa, the two- and three-bedroom residences will range in size from 2,000 square feet to more than 3,300 square feet and carry a price tag of $1-million to $2.5-million. There will be swimming pools and landscaping at the towers' entry levels. A clubhouse, library and fitness center will be inside the tower.

The one- and two-bedroom condominium hotel suites will start in the mid $300,000 range, said Bob Glantz, vice president of sales and marketing of developer Taylor Woodrow. Amenities will include a restaurant and bar, fitness facilities and meeting rooms.

A contractor has not yet been selected, Glantz said.

Taylor Woodrow, a British housing and development company established 85 years ago, develops communities, high-rise residences and homes in Arizona, California, Florida, Texas, Canada and Spain. It paid $31.5-million for the 2.45-acre gulffront property.

TallTampa

February 14th, 2006, 04:56 PM

St.Pete isn't cornering the market on height, but mid-rises like this and others, are giving the city a nice dense look. Coming into the city from 375 or 175, the city is really starting to fill in.

I-275westcoastfl

February 14th, 2006, 11:15 PM

^Yea but sooner or later we are gonna need a taller building so we dont look like a flat skyline.

Jahi98

February 15th, 2006, 05:07 AM

Good to hear the Sage is starting construction. I think The Sage is going to have a significant effect on the southern part of DT St. Pete. I agree that The Sage and the All Childrens expansion will make a nice, more dramatic entrance to DT from I-175.

Hannibal

February 16th, 2006, 12:42 AM

We've been going downtown St.Pete to eat at the Midtown Sundries restaurant and bar under McNulty Lofts. It bears a resemblence to "Cheers" the TV show but bigger. It's across the street from where the Signature bldg will be going up so we'll get a front row seat to watch it slowly reach for the sky! St.Pete was so sleepy for so many years it's been interesting to watch it sudenly come to life. Parkshore is finishing up, 400 Bch Drive is rising from the ground, Signature is getting ready to clear out and reach up, there's a couple of condo buildings on 5th Ave north getting started, Progress Energy is under way along with the Bohemian next to it. The little Pensylvania Hotel project is moving along. It ain't New York but it's ours and I'm finally proud to say we live here! :cheers:
Can't wait for the Chihuly condos to jump out of the ground along with several others on the plate!

Tallaman

February 16th, 2006, 06:11 PM

Hannibal, do you know of a decent map to track these projects? The info at http://www.stpetedna.org/Developments/buildingchart.html is helpful, but I'm not sure it is up to date.

Hannibal

February 17th, 2006, 02:12 AM

If there is a better way, I don't know about it. This old link still works,

http://www.stpetetimes.com/2005/04/17/skyline/

Both sites appear to be way outdated.

smiley

February 18th, 2006, 02:13 PM

Part of downtown bluff will become a park
The small, landscaped site will be next to the condo tower that replaces Calvary Baptist.
By AARON SHAROCKMAN
Published February 18, 2006

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CLEARWATER - Part of the downtown waterfront will be getting a facelift while some new residents will enjoy a better view.

The City Council on Thursday agreed to partner with developer Opus South to turn a small wooded area on the bluff into a landscaped park that includes a sculpted path down toward the waterfront.

The small park will border the western edge of Opus' planned 25-story, 157-unit condominium tower called Water's Edge, which is replacing Calvary Baptist Church.

Opus, which is also considering a deal to purchase the City Hall property to the south as part of an even larger development, will pay for about $100,000 worth of improvements to the city-owned land, said company real estate manager Bill West.

"It will be a definite improvement to what is there now. It's a scruffy area," said City Manager Bill Horne. "And for (spending) nothing, we end up getting a very nice public access and enhancement to that portion of the park."

The trees, mostly palms and oaks, are in poor health, West said. Construction activity would only exacerbate the situation, he said. The city's arborist agrees, said Assistant City Manager Garry Brumback.

"We're just trying to be good neighbors," said West. He provided the city with a conceptual drawing but said the city could decide the specific improvements.

The improvements would also benefit condominium residents, whose view overlooks the park onto Clearwater Harbor. The area now is hardly used and sits between the church and a group of tennis courts.

"I sure like taking money from Opus," said council member Bill Jonson.

Meanwhile, the redevelopment of the church site is moving ahead. Calvary Baptist members moved to a new, larger facility off McMullen-Booth Road in east Clearwater in December, having sold their historic campus to Opus for $15-million.

The old church, including its historic octagonal dome, is being demolished.

Along with 157 condominiums, the 264-foot-tall Water's Edge will include 10,000 square feet of retail space. Foundation work on the tower is expected to begin within two months, West said.
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/02/18/Northpinellas/Part_of_downtown_bluf.shtml

CBR3

February 20th, 2006, 06:47 PM

Small update.

Tampa Bay Business Journal - 11:32 AM EST Monday
St. Pete arts community gets name

Two 31-story towers that soon will be rising from the ground of St. Petersburg's Central Avenue now has a name, and it shouldn't be surprising.

The complex, which developers are touting as the first residential arts community in downtown St. Petersburg, will be called The Arts.

It will include 503 residential units totaling more than 850,000 square feet and approximately 30,000 square feet of retail space. It will be anchored by the Arts Center which will become the home of the Chihuly Collection, the glass art of Dale Chihuly, in June 2008.

"We wanted a name that would reflect the lifestyle that residents will enjoy in this unique project," said Jimmy Aviram, who is developing The Arts with BSR Group Ltd., in a release. "This development is not only a home, but a celebration to the arts of St. Petersburg."

The project will be located on Central Avenue between Eighth Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street.

Sales will be handled through Century 21 Sunshine Realty, while Paradise Advertising & Marketing of St. Petersburg will handle the project's strategic branding, marketing, advertising and public relations programs. The sales center is expected to open at 850 Central Ave. on April 1.

Aviram, who moved to Florida in 1997, continues to be busy in the real estate market. He's also been a partner in development projects of Ovation, Tropicana, Parkshore and 400 Beach. He's the president of ANB Enterprises, a property management company.

BSR Group is a group of entrepreneurial companies that has developed residential and commercial projects in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania and Israel, a release said. The group also is developing condominium projects in Philadelphia, Las Vegas and Fort Myers.

"We were immediately impressed by the importance that culture and art have in St. Petersburg and wanted to make a connection between art and living in the vibrant downtown," said Kalman Sufrin, chairman of the BSR Group, in a release.

CBR3

February 20th, 2006, 07:27 PM

^Same.

I-275westcoastfl

February 20th, 2006, 09:00 PM

Cool maybe soon theres gonna be something 40+ stories

Dale

February 20th, 2006, 09:05 PM

TallTampa

February 21st, 2006, 12:58 AM

I think our only hope for that would be the Tropicana block, and I haven't heard anything in regards to that project in months.

Dale

February 21st, 2006, 01:05 AM

The article above mentions Avrim's involvement with the Tropicana block, so I guess we can assume it's still in play. Maybe he idled back a bit on it when the opportunity with Chihuly presented itself.

Jasonhouse

February 21st, 2006, 01:10 AM

Seems like St. Pete is winning the Battle on the Bay. Certainly from the standpoint of design. Possibly on numbers to date.

Now I do suspect that Tampa will eventually wind up with the greater numbers. And I'm hopeful that design will improve along the way.

With regards to design quality, I also feel that St Pete (and pretty much every other highrise city in FL) is crushing Tampa... The trend of shit-ass designs for Tampa's new generation of highrises is becoming increasingly disturbing.

However, in terms of number of units built, u/c or planned.... St Pete has more existing/ recently built, but Tampa is well ahead in terms of what's being built right now and what's planned. (especially if the scope stretches beyond the downtowns)

Jahi98

February 21st, 2006, 03:04 AM

^^Yep.

I certainly hope they come with something spectacular for the Tropicana block -- something tall and modern.

Jasonhouse

February 21st, 2006, 04:21 AM

^It won't suck, because it can't suck... The other buildings planned in DT St Pete are too attractive. The Tropicana block project will have to be just as attractive to sell, or will have to go for a "mid-market" price point (and I sure don't see that happening).

And just like the DT Channelside site in Tampa, the Tropicana block WILL get developed. It's too compelling a site not to.

smiley

February 22nd, 2006, 09:14 PM

I don't remember this particular project:

Neighbors win zoning challenge
A downtown condo project will be redesigned so that the designated open space looks toward the sky.
By SHARON L. BOND, Times Staff Writer
Published February 22, 2006

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ST. PETERSBURG - Residents of Straub Court, a small downtown townhome project, won in their efforts to get more open space in a large condominium project to be built next door.

Straub has 14, three-story townhomes in the 300 block of Fourth Avenue N.

At the end of the block, Allard Investment Realty wants to build a 20-story, mixed-used project that will have 70 units. Included will be retail space on the ground floor, four levels of parking, a floor of amenities for residents and 14 floors of residences.

In letters to city development officials, residents appealed the developer's plans, saying the Allard project was too large and too dense.

They challenged zoning rules allowing the developer to get higher density in exchange for including open space in the project. The open space was bounded by three walls and partially covered.

"If we have come to the point in our downtown development where inclusion of a concrete cave covered by four stories of parking garage counts as "open space," we have started down a slippery slope that is good for neither our residents nor our city," said Joann Schulz, president of the Straub Court Homeowners Association, in remarks prepared for the city's Board of Adjustment last week.

The board agreed with the Straub residents and required Allard to make at least 25 percent of the designated open space open to the sky.

That means some redesign of the project at 401 Fourth St. N before it is submitted to the city's Environmental Development Commission for review. It was ready to go before the EDC when residents appealed the plans. It then went to the Board of Adjustment.

"It's not a big trick or a deal breaker for me," said C. Randolph Wedding, architect for the project.

He said he is redesigning the floor that acts as the cover for the open space. "Everything is pretty much the same. We gained a parking space. It meets all the criteria I know of," Wedding said.

The Board of Adjustment decision came within days of the deadline to refile for the EDC for review in March. As a result, Allard decided to wait until the April meeting to resubmit its project, Wedding said.

[Last modified February 22, 2006, 01:04:18]
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/02/22/Neighborhoodtimes/Neighbors_win_zoning_.shtml

Jahi98

February 24th, 2006, 05:26 AM

I'm thinking it might be the one that announced at the same time the First Dartmouth tower.

Jahi98

February 25th, 2006, 02:34 AM

Pridgen plan loses sponsor

Rep. Frank Farkas says Pinellas governments did not support exempting the developer from state and local requirements.
By CARRIE WEIMAR
Published February 24, 2006

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/02/24/Southpinellas/Pridgen_plan_loses_sp.shtml
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

ST. PETERSBURG - Rep. Frank Farkas said he won't sponsor a bill exempting developer Grady Pridgen from local development laws after all.

Farkas, a Republican from St. Petersburg, said he did not want to proceed without the support of local governments. After talking to government leaders Thursday, he said he did not have that support.

"I've always maintained that I wouldn't go forward unless the local communities were on board with it," he said.

Farkas said he won't file the proposed bill, nor would he introduce Pridgen's plan as an amendment to another bill.

Pridgen, who is developing the last large tract of vacant land in Pinellas County, refused to comment.

"We're not talking about that today," Pridgen said, leaving a meeting with Gov. Jeb Bush on Thursday afternoon. "I haven't talked to anyone."

Farkas' decision came the day his bill drew public attention in a story in the St. Petersburg Times.

The bill's primary benefit for Pridgen was an exemption from state and local traffic requirements. Under Florida law, developers must make allowances for the increased number of cars a project will bring, including a traffic study and any road improvements the state Department of Transportation deems necessary.

Exempting Pridgen from the rules would have saved him time and potentially millions of dollars for road improvements.

Pridgen said the exemption made sense because he envisions people living and working within the development, which wouldn't overload surrounding roads.

Pridgen's development, called La Entrada, is bounded by 28th Street N and Interstate 275 and 94th and 104th avenues.

It will include nearly 3,000 condominiums, 5.9-million square feet of office space, 1.3-million feet of retail space and 700,000 square feet of light industrial and manufacturing.

So far, two companies have agreed to build there: Cox Target Media, parent of ValPak; and Halkey-Roberts Inc., which makes valves used in medical equipment.

Pridgen, who donated $500 to Farkas' campaign for state Senate in September, approached Farkas in November with the proposed bill. Farkas said he supported the concept because it promotes redevelopment within the county instead of sprawl.

"The debate now is, how do we grow Florida?" Farkas asked. "Are we going to do urban infill redevelopment or are we going to continue to buy citrus groves and move further and further out?"

Farkas brought the bill before the Pinellas legislative delegation Dec. 1. The delegation voted 8-1 to support the plan. Three members weren't present.

Voting against the bill was Rep. Tom Anderson, R-Dunedin. In addition to Farkas, supporters were Reps. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor; Frank Peterman, D-St. Petersburg; and Everett Rice, R-Treasure Island; and Sens. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey; Dennis Jones, R-Treasure Island; Les Miller, D-Tampa; and Jim Sebesta, R-St. Petersburg.

Local governments - including Pinellas County, Pinellas Park and the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council - were outraged and called the bill an attempt to subvert the planning process. Farkas agreed to rework the bill. A new draft was created Feb. 9 and Farkas said he told Pridgen to get community support for it.

Farkas said he also missed the filing deadline to submit a local bill. But Donna McGaughey, executive director of the Pinellas legislative delegation, said that because the delegation already had approved the previous version, Farkas had until March 7 to file the bill.

Brian Smith, Pinellas County's planning director, said he was pleased Farkas opted not to move forward. If laws need to be changed, they should be changed for everyone - not just Pridgen, he said.

"You can't do a carve-out," Smith said. "If there's something that needs to be done, it needs to be done with everyone affected in the room."

Times staff writer Letitia Stein contributed to this report.

[Last modified February 24, 2006, 01:36:20]

Third try for condo tower
For the third time, developer Grady Pridgen has submitted a design for a major condo tower he intends to build in downtown St. Petersburg at Third Avenue N between Second and Third streets, kitty-corner from the BayWalk entertainment complex. The newest version of this project, originally announced in 2003, will have its initial city hearing in April.
- SHARON L. BOND, Times staff writer.

Old Plan:

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/02/24/images/large/B_4_4boldloft_192222_0224.jpg

New Plan:

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/02/24/images/large/B_1_1bnewloft_235165_0224.jpg

Quegiebo

February 25th, 2006, 03:37 AM

^^^ I like the new plan. Very nice, indeed.

I-275westcoastfl

February 25th, 2006, 04:28 AM

I like the new design but i also liked the old design before it was shortened a little better.

Jasonhouse

February 25th, 2006, 04:33 AM

Whoah, if I'm not mistaken, that appears to be a MASSIVE 33 story tower, which is spanning the entire block as a single, gigantic slab... And to help it further oppress the human scale, it actually leans out over the streets.

Sorry, but the dums dums running St Pete should have stuck with the slender 510ft tower. Though its styling was quirky, it also was made that way to break up the mass with its varied facade, and slender form which would allow much more light to reach the street. This ~350ft beast may look slick on the skyline, but try selling that to the people living under its glare. This regrettable design is exactly the kind of overbearing bulk that results from leaders succumbing to knee-jerk reactionaries howling over building hieght, when form/massing are much more important.

Dale

February 25th, 2006, 05:18 AM

Looks Vegas-ey. Maybe it's a ploy to so frighten the city council with something massive that they will relent and let him build his 510 footer.

Jasonhouse

February 25th, 2006, 01:57 PM

Indeed... What's worse NIMBYs?

A 510ft tower with an aspect ratio of about 4:1...

Or a massive 350ft box, which is just as wide as it is tall?

Dale

February 25th, 2006, 07:02 PM

Didn't I read awhile back that the St. Pete Pier would be revamped ?

Oh, and:

www.grandbohemianresidences.com

Quegiebo

February 25th, 2006, 07:24 PM

^^^ This is the first I've heard of this one. Interesting tower. St. Pete keeps moving ahead.

Dale

February 25th, 2006, 08:06 PM

It's part of the Progress Energy development. It's either already u/c or close to it.

Agent Orange

February 26th, 2006, 03:51 AM

This ~350ft beast may look slick on the skyline, but try selling that to the people living under its glare. This regrettable design is exactly the kind of overbearing bulk that results from leaders succumbing to knee-jerk reactionaries howling over building hieght, when form/massing are much more important.

Good point, but what do you expect from St Pete? I don't remember Pridgen's proposal ever reaching 510 ft, I must have missed that news and the accompanying rendering. Time to search the archives..

Jasonhouse

February 26th, 2006, 05:16 AM

The "Old" version depicted with the article is actually the chopped down short version of the origional design...

Maybe is was 505ft or 515ft. I know it was to be a 500 footer though, and have 42 floors.

[edit]here you go dude... 510ft it was.
http://www.sptimes.com/2004/07/22/Southpinellas/Developer_will_scale_.shtml

smiley

February 26th, 2006, 06:41 PM

Bayway Lofts' new look
Instead of one tower, four buildings of glass are now planned in the heart of downtown.
By SHARON L. BOND, Times Staff Writer
Published February 26, 2006

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

ST. PETERSBURG - Developer Grady Pridgen said his ability to buy more land at the Bayway Lofts site prompted the complete overhaul of the project's design.

Bayway Lofts has morphed from the tallest building in the city, with points of interest like a rooftop restaurant and an exterior elevator, to four lower buildings of glass that look like a moving sail.

The latest design will get its first review before city development officials in April. It actually is the third look at the project.

Initial plans from 2003 called for a 510-foot tower with 42 stories that drew concern from city officials and complaints from neighbors. The project is on Third Avenue N between Second and Third streets and will replace several older houses. One of its closest neighbors is the Huntington Townhomes, which are three stories high.

The second design, introduced in 2004, included a lower tower, 371 feet with 29 stories. It had 350 units instead of the original 277. During this time, Pridgen was trying to amass a complete half-block for Bayway Lofts.

"We finally have done that," Pridgen said Friday. "That gave us the flexibility to be more creative. We were able to take the large monolith and break it into four pieces."

The latest design shows four buildings on a parking podium. The tallest towers will be on the northwest and southeast corners and rise 34 stories. The height remains at 371 feet for the towers, which will contain residential units. The other two buildings are lower. One will be a hotel-condominium with 80 rooms, and the other will be more residences. Plans say that if the hotel element is not feasible, that building will be turned into residential units. The total number of residences remains at 350.

The ground level will have retail space and restaurants and a lobby for the hotel if it is part of the project. Seven levels of parking will have 898 spaces. There also will be an amenity floor for residents.

As the design changed, so did the price of the project, rising from $50-million to $100-million to $150-million for the newest design.

Pridgen said no prices were set on the units yet. If he wins approval from the city, the project will go into three months of design where specifics like prices and unit sizes will be set.

In addition to opposing the initial height, neighbors complained that they would be looking out their windows at multiple stories of parking. In the new design, parking floors will be clad in decorative glass.

Another condo tower planned for downtown is Signature Place, which is a wavy triangle of glass and metal. It is being built by Joel Cantor of Gulf Atlantic Real Estate.

Asked if Bayway would be similar to Signature, Pridgen said no because Bayway has four buildings.

"Both have a modern, sleeker look," he said.

Many condo towers built in downtown St. Petersburg in the past eight years have in the Mediterranean Revival style.

Pridgen said construction could start in the first quarter of next year. Bayway Lofts would take 32 months to complete.

[Last modified February 26, 2006, 01:49:18]http://www.sptimes.com/2006/02/26/Neighborhoodtimes/Bayway_Lofts__new_look.shtml

TampaMike

February 26th, 2006, 06:46 PM

damn commisioners, screw things up.

Jahi98

February 27th, 2006, 01:41 AM

Sorry, but the dums dums running St Pete should have stuck with the slender 510ft tower. Though its styling was quirky, it also was made that way to break up the mass with its varied facade, and slender form which would allow much more light to reach the street. This ~350ft beast may look slick on the skyline, but try selling that to the people living under its glare. This regrettable design is exactly the kind of overbearing bulk that results from leaders succumbing to knee-jerk reactionaries howling over building hieght, when form/massing are much more important.

It's interesting that your points about more light on the street and less obstruction of views are exactly the things the city says they want, but they gave in to the residents on this project. Although, I sort of like the aesthetics of the new design better, one taller tower would be so much better. Even two towers, one tall and one short, would be better. Those residents of Huntington townhomes are probably going to wish they had accepted the one 500 footer instead of this wall of towers they may end up getting.

Jahi98

February 27th, 2006, 04:22 AM

This is in the Gateway area, but it will be interesting to watch this site develop, considering I-275 borders it directly. I believe it will have several mid-rise buildings, like Carillon. With this project and further development at Carillon, the entrance to St. Pete from the north will be much more dramatic.

From sod ... to mod
La Entrada, the Grady Pridgen north-side extravaganza, is billed as a live-work-play entity on 133 acres.
By SHARON BOND
Published February 26, 2006
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/02/26/Neighborhoodtimes/From_sod__to_mod.shtml

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

Driving north on Interstate 275 in St. Petersburg, past Gandy Boulevard, it is obvious that construction is under way at La Entrada, originally known as the sod farm. If built out as planned over the next 15 to 20 years, it will have offices, manufacturing, warehouses, a hotel, retail and residential with a possible job total of 35,000. Developer Grady Pridgenintends for La Entrada to be a complex where people can live, work and play using walkways and a trolley. Two companies already are building at La Entrada. Cox Target Media, which publishes the coupon book ValPak, is building a plant that will have 10 acres under one roof. The foundation has been poured and walls are beginning to go up. ValPak's building, visible from I-275, will house 500 workers initially. The company plans to be in the new building by the second half of 2007. Halkey-Roberts Corp., which manufactures components for medical equipment, started its building last year and expects to complete it in early June. The company's 200 employees will move in in late summer. Another 50 workers will be hired.

BY THE NUMBERS
$1.5-billion - estimated value of La Entrada by the time the project is completed.

5.9-million - square feet of office space

1.3-million - feet of retail space

700,000 - square feet of light industrial and manufacturing

2,494 condominiums

1,000 feet - the distance from the county's landfill to the site

1,000 - jobs that two companies building there are expected to bring

300 - hotel rooms

133 - acres of the site

15 to 20 - years to complete La Entrada

Jahi98

March 6th, 2006, 06:04 PM

From the St. Pete Times:
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/03/05/Neighborhoodtimes/City_relaxes_rules_fo.shtml

965 CENTRAL: Approved a site plan to build an 11-story building with 42 units and commercial space on property including 965-1027 Central Avenue. The commission vacated part of Baum Avenue behind the addresses so the developer can add depth to the narrow lots and fit ramps for a parking garage. (06-31000018, G-2)

16-STORY CONDO: Approved a site plan modification for a 12-story condo plan to become a 16-story condo building so the developer can add more structured parking and units. The plan now includes 72 units and 95 parking spaces at the property between 131-145 Fourth Ave. N. (06-31000019, E-2)

CARILLON OFFICES: Approved a site plan for a nine-story, 490,000-square-foot office building and eight-story, 1,960-space parking garage for Raymond James property that is part of the Carillon Development of Regional Impact. City staff said the request is merely to vest rights under the DRI, which expired at the end of 2005. (06-31000016, I-64, I-66)

LA ENTRADA: Approved vacating rights of way in the Lincoln Manor subdivision, which was never developed and now lies within the La Entrada mixed-use development. (06-33000007, I-50, I-52)

smiley

March 9th, 2006, 11:39 PM

Project may bring new bus terminal
A developer plans to buy the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority property in Clearwater and help pay to build a new terminal.
By AARON SHAROCKMAN
Published March 9, 2006

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

CLEARWATER - The developer who plans to build hundreds of condominiums just north of the Church of Scientology's Sandcastle retreat is now acquiring land next to the church's new Flag Building.

Triangle Development has an agreement to purchase the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority bus terminal property on Park Street for a residential development that might include a hotel, Clearwater city officials said.

A new bus terminal would be built as part of the agreement on land the developer owns near Belleair Road and S Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. The developer would pay for much of the construction of the new terminal, said Bill Jonson, a Clearwater City Council member and the city's representative on the PSTA board.

Bus service would continue in downtown Clearwater, but the transfer points for journeys north and south would be moved to the new location accessed off Missouri Avenue.

The agreement, which was approved by the PSTA board 8-2, is contingent on the county's approving a zoning change for the new bus site, which abuts residential property and is outside Clearwater city limits.

Details of Triangle's plan for the Park Street site were not released by company executives. Triangle president Ben Kugler was on the Freewinds, a Scientology cruise ship and retreat, and could not be reached, executives said.

If the deal goes through, it would increase the investment in downtown by private Scientologists, who already own more than 200 shops, restaurants, service outlets and small businesses in the area and have proposed building at least 900 condos and townhomes.

Triangle is planning a massive residential complex for north downtown called Harrison Village and Island View. It would add nearly 350 condominiums near the Sandcastle between N Fort Harrison Avenue and the Intracoastal Waterway.

Clearwater officials also said Triangle wants to purchase a parking lot along S Fort Harrison that is owned by the county adjacent to the Park Street terminal. That lot would be folded into the bus terminal redevelopment.

But this week, Assistant County Administrator Keith Wicks said he had not heard Triangle was interested in the property.

Further, he said, the land could be used as part of a city-county government complex, though those discussions are very preliminary.

"We're a long way from making any decisions about that" piece of property, Wicks said.

Ed Armstrong, a Clearwater land use lawyer who represents Triangle, said the company decided to pursue one piece of property at a time. Developers still may open negotiations for the county property at a later date.

He said no firm decisions on how the property would be redeveloped have been made.

"We've not talked about the ultimate build-out plan for months and months," Armstrong said.

Jonson, who was one of the two PSTA votes against the agreement, said too much remained unclear for him to support the deal. Board members received the agreement just minutes before their meeting last month, he said.

Other Clearwater officials also expressed concern, saying a bus terminal is part of a vibrant downtown.

"It would be an opportunity lost," said city planning director Michael Delk.

PSTA executive director Roger Sweeney did not return calls seeking comment.

The transportation agency for years has said it needs new larger facilities to serve its buses in downtown Clearwater, but at least two expansion options have been rejected by Clearwater leaders. Instead, the city had hoped to create a new facility near the foot of the Clearwater Memorial Causeway bridge. That facility also could serve as the terminus for a monorail to Clearwater Beach.

"That's our dream," said City Manager Bill Horne.

Triangle officials have marketed their Island View and Harrison Village condominiums to Scientologists, playing off the project's proximity to the Sandcastle retreat. The new Park Street project would be built across the street from the Mediterranean Revival Flag Building, 215 S Fort Harrison Ave., which will feature a ground-floor Scientology museum open to the public and 300 rooms for Scientology's core practice of auditing.

More important is the "location right in the downtown core," Armstrong said. "It's a very critical piece of downtown property."

[Last modified March 9, 2006, 03:00:34]
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/03/09/N...bring_new.shtml

kjd4591

March 19th, 2006, 03:39 PM

Here is the link http://www.sptimes.com/2006/03/19/Neighborhoodtimes/A_downtown_transformed.shtml
Don't see the Peninsula, might now be Signature Place (?)
Wish they would do one for Tampa and Clearwater.
Still wonder who the hell is going to live in the Ovation starting at 1.6 mil.

Didnt see where TallTampa started a seperate thread on this.
Still wonder about Peninsula, Tropicana, Pridgeons Bayway Lofts...................

smiley

March 19th, 2006, 08:24 PM

What is up with what looks like ground level housing space on those bigger projects? How is that allowed - or is only a "game room"

Hannibal

March 20th, 2006, 04:00 AM

Peninsula is now called Signature Place. It's next door to one of our favorite restaurants, Midtown Sundries at the base of McNulty Lofts. We'll be able to watch it as it progresses. Right now the Federal Building is still standing and just about to come down. It's going to be a while before Signature starts reaching for the sky. I'm getting anxious.

kjd4591

March 20th, 2006, 11:28 AM

Thanks Hannibal. Drove by yesterday and looked it over. Are they imploding the Federal or just using the ball? Glad to see the Progress / Bohemian moving along as well.

robbie

March 20th, 2006, 05:27 PM

That was FANTASTIC! ST. Pete will really be happening soon!

jvance75

March 21st, 2006, 04:57 AM

I walk by the Signature Tower site on a daily basis so I will update on anything St. Petersburg seeing as how I live in The Madison Downtown and work in a certain tower just a few blocks away....I will also start taking pictures with the Sony 4.3 mp or the crappy cell if its an unplanned trip first.

McNulty Lofts
Completed and people moving in on a daily basis.

Signature
They have put up the concrete barriers totally around the site. They have a bulldozer on site that is removing the lighting right now. I am not sure if they are going to bulldoze it or implode it....I'm guessing they are going to raze it because its such a small building, but I'm just not sure, I'll ask someone on site.

The Sage
Site is progressing very fast, with a large hole dug out spanning the entire work site, a lot of small crane work and what not....i haven't seen anything like caissons though.

Progress Energy Tower
The tower is up to the sixth floor, its even lit at night now on all floors.

The Grand Bohemian Hotel
Site cleared, in sales.

Pennsylvania Lofts
The new part of the building attached to the old historic hotel is as tall as the old hotel(8 stories), while the historic side has been gutted and is well under renovation.

The W Condo Tower
Well under construction with the foundation done(almost?)

Palladium Lofts
Project seems to be almost finished and turned out great. Its distantly similar to The Victory Lofts in Tampa.

400 Beach Drive
I have only seen this at night because I really don't walk or drive that far down beach drive on a regular basis. I saw it this weekend and it seems to be at the sixth or so floor too with it lit too.

The Edge
The site is almost totally cleared and the sign is up along with the green usual fence.

5th Avenue Garage/Dorms/Barnes & Noble
Both buildings are almost done and the dorm is furnished and the utilities seem to be totally working...almost done.

City Lofts South
The building seems to be almost finished with the entire outside of the buildings almost done, and windows installed...and the balconies have been bolted into the buildings.

Roadwork
2nd Street is now a two way road with one lane northbound and two lanes southbound up to central avenue.

Any other questions on Downtown St. Petersburg? And no, the NIMBYS aren't running around downtown, this isn't Tampa...people that already own condos from $200,000-1+ million are more than excited about the new towers and the retail/amenities it will bring with it. Same at the condo association meetings...nothing but buzz. Only complaints I have heard so far is parking, even from city employees.

TampaMike

March 21st, 2006, 05:02 AM

I walk by the Signature Tower site on a daily basis so I will update on anything St. Petersburg seeing as how I live in The Madison Downtown and work in a certain tower just a few blocks away....I will also start taking pictures with the Sony 4.3 mp or the crappy cell if its an unplanned trip first.

McNulty Lofts
Completed and people moving in on a daily basis.

Signature
They have put up the concrete barriers totally around the site. They have a bulldozer on site that is removing the lighting right now. I am not sure if they are going to bulldoze it or implode it....I'm guessing they are going to raze it because its such a small building, but I'm just not sure, I'll ask someone on site.

The Sage
Site is progressing very fast, with a large hole dug out spanning the entire work site, a lot of small crane work and what not....i haven't seen anything like caissons though.

Progress Energy Tower
The tower is up to the sixth floor, its even lit at night now on all floors.

The Grand Bohemian Hotel
Site cleared, in sales.

Pennsylvania Lofts
The new part of the building attached to the old historic hotel is as tall as the old hotel(8 stories), while the historic side has been gutted and is well under renovation.

The W Condo Tower
Well under construction with the foundation done(almost?)

Palladium Lofts
Project seems to be almost finished and turned out great. Its distantly similar to The Victory Lofts in Tampa.

400 Beach Drive
I have only seen this at night because I really don't walk or drive that far down beach drive on a regular basis. I saw it this weekend and it seems to be at the sixth or so floor too with it lit too.

The Edge
The site is almost totally cleared and the sign is up along with the green usual fence.

5th Avenue Garage/Dorms/Barnes & Noble
Both buildings are almost done and the dorm is furnished and the utilities seem to be totally working...almost done.

City Lofts South
The building seems to be almost finished with the entire outside of the buildings almost done, and windows installed...and the balconies have been bolted into the buildings.

Roadwork
2nd Street is now a two way road with one lane northbound and two lanes southbound up to central avenue.

Any other questions on Downtown St. Petersburg?
Yeah, when will St. Pete get a tower that is 400 ft.?

jvance75

March 21st, 2006, 05:10 AM

If the Albert Whitted Airport is closed(not going to happen.) or when the first few blocks of land near the coastline are totally used to its limit and the projects start moving more into the center of the downtown loop, this is happening. I have talked to Rick Baker and this is his plan before his time is up. Of course it seemed like he didn't want to talk at the moment, he was walking very fast.

Dale

March 21st, 2006, 06:16 AM

jvance -

Thanks for being our eyes-on-the-ground !

Heard anything on Tropicana ? Arts Plaza ? Ovation ?

Thanks again !

Tallaman

March 29th, 2006, 06:18 PM

Here's a question for you guys (OK, more than one): I've heard a lot of discussion on how market demand for condos in and around downtown Tampa may or may not be strong enough to absorb supply if all of the proposed are actually built (over 4,000 units under construction or proposed). How's the market in Pinellas? What's demand like? How are the projects proposed or under construction in St Pete and Clearwater selling? What's the likelihood that all the cool stuff the SPTimes shows on its "Skyline 2008" page (and more) will actually come to fruition? I have not seen much discussion about the market in Pinellas...

smiley

March 29th, 2006, 07:42 PM

Can't say for sure, but the rate at which things are getting built, especially in St. Pete (Clearwater is another story) it seems to be quite healthy

TallTampa

March 29th, 2006, 09:09 PM

TampaMike

March 29th, 2006, 09:35 PM

smiley

April 2nd, 2006, 04:34 PM

There goes the Colony
Downtown St. Petersburg is poised to lose garden apartments and gain another tall, glamorous building.
By SHARON L. BOND, Times Staff Writer
Published April 2, 2006

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

ST. PETERSBURG - Owners of the Colony Apartments on Fourth Avenue N plan to tear down the six-building complex and build an 18-story, mixed-use structure that would have 72 residences, parking and shops.

Owner John Haynes said increasing property taxes are forcing the change. He and his wife, Katelyn, who also is an owner, live in one of the apartments.

"We've been there two years in August. We love the place," Haynes said. "We thought it was going to be our retirement."

Rents on the 38 studio and one-bedroom apartments average from $550 to $695. Haynes said he cannot raise them enough to pay for property taxes that he thinks will be as high as $50,000 a year in future years. His 2005 tax bill was about $28,000.

The Haynes' plans for the $55-million project will be before the city's Environmental Development Commission on Wednesday.

New residential developments, mostly condominiums and townhomes, abound in St. Petersburg, which is one reason Haynes thinks property taxes will continue to rise. Next to the Colony Apartments is Straub Court, one of the earlier townhome developments in the building boom. A third development of 20 stories is planned by Allard Investment Realty on that block. On a block west of the Allard project, plans call for a project with twin 28-story towers.

Straub Court was something of a pioneer in the 300 block of Fourth Avenue N. It is a three-story project with 14 units and now stands to have larger complexes on either side. Its neighborhood association objected to the size of the Allard project and an open garage that some Straub residents would see when looking out their windows.

City development officials are requiring the Allard developers to make changes that would make the development more acceptable to Straub residents. One change is to enclose the east side of the parking garage and put in windows to make it look like an occupied building.

Members of the Straub Court Homeowners Association met with Haynes on Friday to go over plans for the complex that will replace the Colony Apartments. Association president Chris Stambaugh said the Straub residents like the plans for the Colony site.

"We believe it is an attractive project," Stambaugh said. "We have concerns about the garage configuration on the Straub Court side. They seem receptive to putting in some kind of shielding."

Haynes said his project has greater setbacks from Straub Court than required. Also, the building is being stepped back to allow more light on Straub.

The project's retail space likely will be filled with boutiques and cafes, according to plans. Residences include seven two-story lofts and four flats. In the middle of the tower will be 57 units in eight stories. Four two-story penthouses will be at the top.

Haynes says he hopes to buy one of the units. Prices have not been set yet.

[Last modified April 2, 2006, 01:24:20]http://www.sptimes.com/2006/04/02/Neighborhoodtimes/There_goes_the_Colony.shtml

Dale

April 2nd, 2006, 08:44 PM

I suppose the bubble-watchers might be right someday, but not just yet.

Jahi98

April 2nd, 2006, 10:00 PM

A friend of mine helped in the marketing of W Plaza and The Sage. He claimed they advertised heavily in cities like Chicago, Cleveland and St.Louis(even taking out full page ads in some of those city's newspapers). And in the case of the W Plaza, did almost no local advertising. I found this to be interesting as I don't recall seeing much of anything about the W Plaza locally and now it appears that construction is well underway. He also claims that The Ovation is following a similar strategy and sales are going "well," and construction could begin later this year. If I remember correctly, these condos were starting at $1 million.

I suppose they're going for the retirement/second-home market. The Sage has done a lot of local advertising, but W-Plaza and Ovation haven't. I guess that's good for sales, and ultimately good for the skyline. I'd rather these units sell to persons wishing to make DT St. Pete their primary residence rather than a second home.

Anyway, I see they just keep coming for DT St. Pete. Seems to be several "mid-rise" projects coming out. That should be a nice cluster there on the north side of DT if all gets built.

smiley

April 6th, 2006, 08:50 PM

From March

Pakshore Plaza (I did not realize the layout was so nice):
http://www.parkshoreplaza.com/residences/site_progress/images/aerial_03_13_06b_lg.jpg

400 beach drive
http://www.400beachdrive.com/admin/gallery/400-Beach-Dr-2-3-13-06-big.jpg

You go Opus

TallTampa

April 6th, 2006, 09:09 PM

I like to way Opus has incorporated Townhomes and Retail into their projects on the ground level. Rather than just putting a single tower up with little to offer the rest of the neighborhood.

TampaMike

April 6th, 2006, 11:31 PM

Is it just me, or does anyone else hate the new bridge in Clearwater. It hasn't and maybe worsen the traffic congestion and takes longer to get from Clearwater to the Beach. It's ridiculous

jvance75

April 7th, 2006, 01:36 AM

I have noticed a huge improvement in travel time over the memorial causeway bridge(not to mention in no longer needs to worry about boat traffic)....with the new bridge in place and the way traffic is on SR60, I wish they had kept the idea of turning SR60 into a freeway like they had planned on years ago....I am sure re-development of downtown Clearwater would have been more on the scale of St. Petersburg or Tampa.

It is insane to drive on the beach and see how just about every piece of land is earmarked for condos/hotels/timeshares, its about time for the area to have a world class beach like most large water adjacent metro areas. It looks like Clearwater will be taking this crown with Beach By Design well under way with everything being razed and the homogenization process now in full swing...

Miami's South Beach Part II minus the art deco....hell, even the design of where the current surface parking for the beach and gulf blvd looks like SoBe.

Meffy

April 7th, 2006, 03:12 AM

Traffic is unbearable on that bridge during peak hours, I honestly have no idea where those cars go. I now drive out of my way to the sand key bridge if I am getting to the beach late in the day. I think the bottle neck isn't the bridge though but the roundabout.

Jasonhouse

April 7th, 2006, 03:58 AM

^That roundabout is one of the biggest planning clusterfucks ever in Pinellas County.

Of course, Clearwater in general is a clusterfuck, so go figure...

I-275westcoastfl

April 7th, 2006, 04:17 AM

I agree with the roundabout i mean they spent so much money now on a nice fountain then removed it and now its just a concrete circle they should make it a normal street again or put something nice already.

jvance75

April 7th, 2006, 04:34 AM

the belleair causeway where you can get on belleair/sand key and then over the sand key bridge to clearwater beach is going to be completly replaced by the FDOT in 08'.....so for a point...im sure there will be even more traffic on the clearwater bridge from that, I don't understand why they didn't make it six lanes or even make it wide enough for maybe a future with six lanes on the clearwater bridge. It did improve traffic though, does anyone remember having to sit and wait much longer for a boat to pass in the early 90s?

smiley

April 7th, 2006, 04:52 AM

I don't know why everyone complains about the roundabout - it was a lot worse before that. That was teh one good idea they had - now morons who don't yield to those with the right of way are another issue. The main issue is that tehre is no good placeto take all the cars coming off the bridge. The roads going out of the roundabout are all screwed up with narrowing and merging and bizarre turns. They will never fix traffic even a small amount until that is addressed - once you get out of the screwed up roads near the pier and big south parking area, the traffic is not so bad on Clearwater Beach.

TampaMike

April 7th, 2006, 10:07 PM

We could always have a skyride over the straight from Clearwater to the Beach. Is this possible though?

smiley

April 7th, 2006, 11:10 PM

Yea - a skyride that will be full of people over water in the summer on big metal towers way up on the sky at 4 pm. Either they will shut it down or you will have some supercrisp tanners.

smiley

April 9th, 2006, 08:44 PM

Residents want limits on new construction
By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
Published April 9, 2006

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

ST. PETERSBURG - Pleas from residents affected by continuing redevelopment in the downtown area prompted the Environmental Development Commission on Wednesday to add strict controls on the design and construction of new buildings.

On several projects, the EDC added requirements that multilevel garages be enclosed or screened on sides facing adjoining residential buildings.

It also required that contractors refrain where possible from using noisy pile drivers when installing support pilings required for the multistory structures.

"We are the Environmental Development Commission and this is environmental," Chairman Charles Canerday said several times during the meeting.

The issue first arose during a discussion of a proposed 22-story mixed-use redevelopment of property adjacent to the Cathedral Church of St. Peters at 140 Fourth St. N (see related story).

The issue again arose with the 20-story Allard Project (see details below). Several residents from the nearby Straub Court, a three-story condominium complex, asked the EDC to minimize the effects of "potentially harmful development" in the surrounding area - including a 28-story mixed use development planned to the west, while to the southwest the former Pennsylvania Hotel is being restored and expanded with a seven-story addition.

"We could very well be living in a construction zone for years," Vincent Warren said.

Brian MaGuire said the Straub Court residents would be "living in a valley of giants" and asked the city to consider requiring additional landscaping buffers when extremely tall buildings are adjacent to smaller residences.

In other action, the EDC:

20-STORY ALLARD DEVELOPMENT: Approved a site plan and airport variance allowing construction of a 20-story mixed use project at 401 Fourth St. N that will include 70 dwelling units, 5,400 square feet of ground level retail space and five levels of enclosed parking.

A small office building and two apartment buildings on the site will be demolished. The project includes an amenity level and an open recreational area for residents. - 05-31000054 (E-4).

BED AND BREAKFAST: Approved a special exception and related site plan to convert an existing seven-unit apartment building at 657 Third St. N into a bed and breakfast. The building is more than 100 years old and was originally a single-family residence. It was later used as a rooming house and then as an apartment building.

William and Adele Visaggio have spent about $1-million renovating the interior and exterior of the house and demolished a detached garage. They plan to live in the house and use three of six rooms for a bed and breakfast business. - 06-32000009 (E-6)

EIGHT-SLIP DOCK: Denied a site plan for an eight-slip dock at the planned 14-unit Grand Villas on Snell Isle. The multifamily residential project will replace the former 21-unit Stoval Landing. Area residents objected to a design they said made the dock look like a marina in the midst of a mostly single-family area on Coffee Pot Bayou. - 06-31000021 (D-14).

BAYWAY LOFTS: Approved a site plan and airport variance for a phased mixed-use project that includes four buildings up to 34 feet tall. The project includes 350 dwelling units, an 80-room hotel, 6,838 square feet of street-level retail space and eight levels of parking.

The EDC action is the third time a multiuse tower project has been approved for the site. A 42-story design was rejected in 2003 by the FAA as too high. A smaller 29-story tower was approved last year but was withdrawn when an appeal was filed.

Since then the developer, STP Investments, acquired the entire southern half of the block and totally redesigned the project, which now has four buildings, two that are 34 stories and two at 16 stories tall. The new contemporary design includes an undulating glass and steel facade that evokes the city's marine environment. - 06-31000024 (E-4).

SUTTELL CONDOMINIUM: Approved a site plan modification for the Suttell Condominium project at 201 Fourth Ave. S. The new plan increases the tower height from 13 to 16 stories. The project will include 50 dwelling units and five levels of structured parking.

The redesign followed a Board of Adjustment ruling that called for additional open space on the site, which currently is a small office building. The rest of the block is or has been developed as the Publix/University Village shopping center and a 250-unit multifamily structure (phase three of the Madison development) - 06-31000025 (E-1).

SIX-STORY MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT: Approved the site plan and height variance for a six-story mixed-use development at 1701 Central Ave. The project will include 198 dwelling units, 7,886 square feet of street-level retail space and four levels of structured parking- 06-31000028 (H-2).

FOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTER: Approved the vacation of an alley south of Fifth Avenue S between 20th Street S and Interstate 275. Food Wholesalers Inc. plans to expand its existing food distribution business within the Dome Industrial Park. - 06-33000008 (H-3).

[Last modified April 9, 2006, 00:19:12]
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/04/09/Neighborhoodtimes/Residents_want_limits.shtml

smiley

April 9th, 2006, 09:04 PM

and the Times plays "guess the height" with itself . . .

Grand Bohemian may bloom in June
The developer of the statuesque hotel and condo building hopes to break ground soon.
By SHARON L. BOND, Times Staff Writer
Published April 9, 2006

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

ST. PETERSBURG - Action begins soon on the Grand Bohemian Hotel and Residences, the luxury complex of Asian design planned for downtown.

Developer Richard C. Kessler introduced the $100-million project last year. He hopes to break ground at Second Street N and First Avenue in June.

"We are getting closer. It's a big project," Kessler said at an open house last week at the sales center he built at 320 Central Ave., where City Gym used to be.

Grand Bohemian Hotel and Residences will rise 32 stories - 379 feet - to be one of the taller buildings in the city. The Bank of America building currently is the tallest, at 386 feet. Another planned luxury condominium, Signature Place, is supposed to be 400 feet tall.

The Grand Bohemian will have 166 hotel rooms, 82 condos, an art gallery, several restaurants and a music lounge.

Prices of the residences will range from the $500,000s to more than $1-million. Two penthouses will have 6,000 square feet and 3,000-square-foot balconies with summer kitchens. Their prices start at $5-million.

Since the announcement last year, Kessler added a one-bedroom unit to the mix along with nine townhomes that will be hotel-condo units. He also put second stories on the penthouses.

"We design things, and things may change as we go along," said Mary C. Kenny, director of marketing and public relations for the Kessler Collection in Orlando. The collection includes 11 hotels and resorts.

Kessler made his money by being at the start of the Days Inn America motel chain. When the founding family sold the chain for $750-million, Kessler received $50-million. He buys art and artifacts all over the world and fills his hotels with them.

"I have been buying two years for this to open," he said of the Grand Bohemian.

Some of the art is in the sales center, including four antique columns from India, paintings and sculpture. A sleek European-style kitchen was built in the center to serve as a model of what the condos will have.

The space where the sales center is had been vacant since City Gym moved out, said Wendy Giffin, president and broker for Osprey Real Estate Services, North Bay.

Osprey owns the building where the sales center is.

"He does everything first class," Giffin said of Kessler. "We are thrilled to have him here."

Kenny would not reveal the cost of the sales center but estimated that it was several hundred thousand dollars.

The Grand Bohemian will be in the block where Progress Energy Florida is building new headquarters. Also new in the block is the St. Petersburg College classroom building, where Florida International Museum has a new space.

The museum opened in the old Maas Brothers department store, which was torn down last year to make way for the new developments.

[Last modified April 9, 2006, 00:19:12]
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/04/09/Neighborhoodtimes/Grand_Bohemian_may_bl.shtml

TampaMike

April 9th, 2006, 10:44 PM

Yea - a skyride that will be full of people over water in the summer on big metal towers way up on the sky at 4 pm. Either they will shut it down or you will have some supercrisp tanners.
fine, then a monorail.

And who said it had to be like the Busch Gardens skyride. We can have a car that has windows and air-conditioned and have more seats. It doesn't have to be a like BG.

Jahi98

April 10th, 2006, 12:04 AM

The Grand Bohemian will have 166 hotel rooms, 82 condos, an art gallery, several restaurants and a music lounge.

Kinda excited about the music lounge. I think that's a underrepresented element of nightlife in the Tampa Bay area as a whole, and a niche I could see DT St. Pete filling. I like the design of this building, and I'm looking forward to seeing it go up.

Also, it's nice to see more proposals for Central Avenue. I wonder how 1010 Central Ave is coming along. The Suttel project sounds like a nice addition to the southern part of DT.Bayway Lofts might be a bit much for that site, but I mainly hope (if built) it looks better than the rendering that was released.

smiley

April 27th, 2006, 07:15 PM

So browsing the tv last night I came across a news story on Downtown Clearwater - they spoke of Station Sqaure as under construction and showed a quick picture with some Caterpillar machine messing in the sand - there is this from december http://www.sptimes.com/2005/12/21/Northpinellas/Condos_off_to_a_smash.shtml
Well, maybe that Amon guy can get something done. . .at least clear a lot

They also said that Water'sEdge broke ground - oddly this is not in the papers, but so be it. Could have happened. Maybe Clearwater will get somewhere afterall. I mean all those people being audited need someplace to hang out.

Dale

April 27th, 2006, 08:27 PM

I do remember reading awhile back that Water's Edge was mostly sold and set to break ground Spring '06.

Tallaman

May 1st, 2006, 05:32 PM

Ironic that this would come up in one of the markets that seem to be holding strong...

Are we building too many downtown condos?
By JAMES THORNER, Times Staff Writer
Published May 1, 2006

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

Are the suburbs and the cities trading places in the regional economy? Craig Sher seems to think so. And he's not sure he likes it.

Sher, president of the Sembler Co., raised the prospect that downtown St. Petersburg is building so many condominiums that it's losing its focus as a corporate office center.

As homesteaders are drawn to St. Petersburg's waterfront and nightlife and corporations flee to suburban office parks, downtown is becoming a suburb of the suburbs.

So said Sher at a recent gathering of real estate investors at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort. (Incidentally, Sher's company developed BayWalk, the entertainment and restaurant complex often credited with making downtown more livable.)

Building costs have driven the transformation: Office developers can't charge high enough rents to cover the price of bricks and mortar. Recently, it has made more sense to invest in high-rise condos.

Tampa is replicating the same pattern: Condos are flooding a downtown where office growth has stagnated. So much for the old complaint that downtowns die after 5 p.m. when the offices empty.

Not everyone has soured on condos. As the city's chief promoter, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker welcomed homeowners to what he called the most gorgeous downtown in the United States.

"You'll hear people complain about the condos," Baker said at the Vinoy. "I like the condos."

[Last modified May 1, 2006, 01:52:13]

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/05/01/Business/Are_we_building_too_m.shtml

Jahi98

May 1st, 2006, 07:23 PM

Apparently, there's interest for office in DT St. Pete. There was recently a proposal for an office condo building where the developer stated that the potential tenants were looking for smaller spaces.

Even still, I believe Gateway and central Pinellas will be the area to experience the greatest corporate job growth. The land is there, and it's more convenient to the entire metro area. IMO, unless the transportation network is improved (ie. rail and/or BRT), I don't see any large offices coming into DT St. Pete.

However, with as more residential becomes available, DT St. Pete might become more attractive to some smaller offices like small law firms, accounting firms, design firms, etc.

Tallaman

May 2nd, 2006, 07:06 PM

^ I'm with you Jahi...as anyone that has watched the real estate market for any time knows, the market is cyclical. Office buildings are typically built when the market is ripe and in bunches (that one's prime for an analogy). Market conditions have been prime for high-rise condos and we're beginning to see the end of that cycle now, although Florida may prove to be much different than the rest of the nation. Offices will be back (maybe partially because of the condos) and downtowns will grow with office buildings once more, in all Florida cities. There's no need to sound the alarm and rein in condo development now as the article implies.

TampaMike

May 3rd, 2006, 04:07 AM

Never heard about this project, new???

http://www.citysidestpete.com/

jvance75

May 3rd, 2006, 04:11 AM

here ya go....
http://www.urbanedgedevelopment.com/images/prop_ctyside_render.jpg
Cityside Terrace Homes

Coming Soon to Downtown St. Petersburg:
Located within walking distance from lovely Mirror Lake and the emerging Arts District on Central Avenue, CitySide Terrace features 53 newly constructed homes, each with rooftop terrace views and optional outdoor kitchens for year-round entertaining. CitySide will be conveniently located at the corner of Burlington Avenue and 8th Street North in Downtown St. Petersburg.

Standard Features Include:

* Rooftop terraces available on all units
* Optional elevator access to all terraces
* Ten-foot ceilings throughout
* Eight-foot interior and exterior doors
* Stainless steel Energy Star appliances
* KOHLER plumbing fixtures
* Bamboo hardwood floors and maple wood cabinets
* Granite counters and porcelain tiles
* Hurricane windows
* Lush landscaping
* Two-car garages with openers
* 2-10™ Home Buyers Warranty

im not sure of the status, I will look when the sun is out...they are also doing the Arlington, Sanctuary, SoTampa Brownstones in Tampa. To look at their work already in the area look at the Calla Terrace project in downtown St. Petersburg at Third Avenue North and Eighth Street.

TampaMike

May 3rd, 2006, 04:20 AM

jvance75

May 3rd, 2006, 04:26 AM

It has been up for a few months...the rendering at least and name of the project.

Jahi98

May 3rd, 2006, 03:28 PM

Nice-looking project that should do well on the market :yes:

Jahi98

May 8th, 2006, 05:45 PM

The transformation begins...

Tyrone's 'town center'

The Royale, a mixed-use development, aims to bring retail, office and residential space to 66th Street N.

By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
Published May 7, 2006

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/05/07/Neighborhoodtimes/Tyrone_s__town_center_.shtml
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ST. PETERSBURG - The kind of architecturally vibrant, mixed-used redevelopment usually associated with the downtown core is now spreading to the Tyrone area on the city's west side.
A $60-million to $70-million mixed-use redevelopment on a 13-acre parcel in an older commercial area on 66th Street N sailed through an Environmental Development Commission hearing Wednesday.

Zoning Official John Hixenbaugh praised the project's "town center'' design that unites retail, office and residential uses with landscaped pedestrian walkways. Most of the development's parking spaces will be shifted to a garage, again enhancing the project's pedestrian, town center design.

"This is an ambitious mixed-use development that will bring a more urban mix of uses into the Tyrone area than has been the norm in this conventional and suburban part of the city," Hixenbaugh said.

The commission approved the site plan and a variance for the project, which will be on 66th Street N between 13th and 18th avenues. The variance deals with the ratio of concrete to green space for drainage.

To mitigate the effect of traffic on surrounding residential neighborhoods, the city plans to close one end of 18th Avenue N.

"This is an excellent example of the right kind of development," said Edwin Carlson, president of West Neighborhoods United. This support was echoed by the Eagle Crest and Garden Manor neighborhood associations.

Currently, the site includes a mix of office and retail buildings built in the 1970s.

When completed, the project, called the Royale, will include:

- The Royale, a six-story, 65-foot tall, 160-unit condominium complex that includes structured parking for more than 700 spaces.

- The Shoppes at Royale will include 88,500 square feet of retail space while keeping the Rib City restaurant.

- Offices, including keeping 71,500 square feet of existing space.

The developer's project narrative says, "The renaissance of downtown St. Petersburg is remarkable and is a fantastic achievement. We hope to expand that positive momentum to the Tyrone community and complement the various downtown developments."

Tyrone Crossings Investors LLC began assembling ownership of the property last year. In September, the group began negotiating the relocation of existing tenants, including Central Florida College and a branch of BB&T.

"We are very excited about the opportunity to bring a unique project to the St. Petersburg market,'' said developer Les Porter, president of Porter Development of Clearwater.

"This is a big project and a real challenge for us.''

Porter said once the bank is relocated, most likely in August, site development work will begin.

Pricing of the condo units is expected to begin at $350,000, with some units rising to $600,000. Targeted buyers will be young professionals and "empty-nesters," rather than speculative investors, Porter said.

He described the project's architectural style as "Americana." The buildings within the town center plan will be connected by an extensive sidewalk network that includes gathering spaces and sidewalk cafes for an "alternative retail and entertainment experience."

The sidewalks also connect to surrounding neighborhoods, allowing area residents to walk to restaurants and shops within the center.

[Last modified May 7, 2006, 10:14:28]

Jahi98

May 8th, 2006, 05:57 PM

Was in St. Pete for the weekend and drove through DT yesterday. Lots of construction going on. Wish I had a camera. Anyway...

More DT St. Pete projects:

Condos ahead for Fourth Avenue N

A new 18-story development will rise near Straub Court apartments.

By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
Published May 7, 2006

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/05/07/Neighborhoodtimes/Condos_ahead_for_Four.shtml
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ST. PETERSBURG - More condos are coming to Fourth Avenue N.
A $55-million, 18-story condominium tower, rising just to the east of Straub Court apartments, was approved by the Environmental Development Commission on Wednesday.

The action comes a month after the commission approved a 20-story Allard condominium tower on the west side of Straub Court at Fourth Street and Fourth Avenue N.

This latest project, called "301 Colony Tower," is planned for Third Street and Fourth Avenue N, effectively boxing in Straub Court, which is mid block on Fourth Avenue.

Residents came out in strength last month to protest the potential impact on the complex by the Allard proposal.

The commission responded by requiring the Allard complex to close in the parking garage on the side closest to Straub Court -- and to prohibit the use of noisy pile drivers during construction.

Wednesday, the commission put similar restrictions on the 301 Colony Tower before approving the site plan. No residents opposed the project.

The property is owned by John and Katelyn Haynes and now consists of 38 apartments in six two-story buildings. The buildings will be torn down.

The project calls for 12 stories of residential units above a 133-space, five-level structured parking garage lined by residential units. The design includes two amenity levels, open ground-level recreation areas for residents, and 7,200 square feet of ground-level retail space.

The project includes a total of 72 condominium units. Pricing has not been set.

The contemporary design, as presented by the Benson Worley Architecture Studio, includes substantial use of glass and cantilevered balconies and open space.

Seven two-story loft residential units and four "flat'' units line the base of the tower, which is topped with four two-story penthouse units. The condominium units feature large balconies with views of the waterfront and downtown area.

Private elevators provide direct access to the four corner units on each floor, and the two center units on each floor share corridor access.

Landscaping includes public courtyards with benches, fountains, public art and shaded areas along the south and east sides of the building.

A public access courtyard on the building's west face buffers the adjacent Straub Court and features a serpentine path accented with fish ponds, native rock elements, seating, grassy areas, bushes and trees.

Main pedestrian entrances along Fourth Avenue and Third Street N feature specialty pavers, fountains, concrete benches and landscaping. The roof of the parking garage also is landscaped with trees and bushes.

The area, which is part of the interstate highway loop through downtown, is experiencing a redevelopment boom. A major mixed-use hotel and residential development up to 34 stories tall is planned to the southeast.

The commission report also indicated that the city anticipates the parking lot for the Synovis Bank on Third Avenue and Third Street N will be redeveloped with a multistory tower.

[Last modified May 7, 2006, 10:02:32]

smiley

May 8th, 2006, 07:31 PM

While the tower in downtown is nice -tehre are tons of those planned. What is really cool is the Tyrone project - that is what Pinellas needs (along with mass transit). It just shows it is not built out, just not maximized. Now they need to keep the road open so as not to ruin traffic.

Jahi98

May 10th, 2006, 04:51 AM

I agree completely. Redevelopment is the key to Pinellas County's future. If this Tyrone project is successful (as I'm sure it will be), we will see similar redevelopment projects pop up in other areas of St. Pete and the rest of county.

Quegiebo

May 10th, 2006, 06:13 AM

I'm very impressed with St. Pete. It really has come a long way in such a short span of time. I can't wait to see the city when all of the current developments are completed. And I'm really pleased to see such a variety of styles in the development scheme. Way to go!

"St. Pete - A City with Style" :yes:

Dave01walk

May 11th, 2006, 11:12 PM

I hope this hasn't been posted before, but it's news to me.

Clearwater hotel to make way for twin condos
Tampa Bay Business Journal - 4:48 PM EDT Thursday
Print this Article Email this Article Reprints RSS Feeds Most Viewed Most Emailed
The Holiday Inn SunSpree on Gulfview Boulevard in Clearwater Beach will close its doors July 31 before it's razed to make room for a pair of 15-story condominium towers from JMC Communities.

Groundbreaking for Marquesas, which will include 148 units, will take place this fall with the completion of the first building planned for 2008.

The towers will be built on a 6-acre site that has roughly 700 feet of beach frontage in Pinellas County at 770 S. Gulfview Blvd. Units will range in size from 1,675 to 2,579 square feet, and six penthouse units will be as large as 4,466 square feet, JMC execuitves said in a release. Minimum prices of the units will be just under $1 million.

RNM Architects and Gillette & Associates designed the towers.

JMC Communities, recently named one of the Tampa Bay area's fastest growing companies by the Tampa Bay Business Journal, has built more than 3,800 condominium units since opening in 1978. Recent projects in Clearwater Beach include The Mandalay Beach Club, Belle Harbor and Sandpearl Resort. Also under development are The Bellamy on Bayshore in Tampa; The Florencia, Ovation, Bacopa Bay and Colphin Cay in St. Petersburg; The Grande and The Meridian on Sand Key; as well as Minorca in New Smyrna Beach.

http://tampabay.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2006/05/08/daily48.html?jst=b_ln_hl

jvance75

May 12th, 2006, 07:24 AM

here is the rendering....

http://216.71.169.192/jensen/marquesas.jpg

smiley

May 13th, 2006, 01:40 PM

The condos are nice and all, but they need hotel rooms - big hotels.

smiley

May 14th, 2006, 05:42 PM

Now they are starting to get it. . . .sort of

Largo eyes high-rise plan to lift downtown
The city will hold a summit June 8 on an idea that could become its tallest building and help energize the area.
By LORRI HELFAND, Times Staff Writer
Published May 14, 2006

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

LARGO - After several failed attempts to rejuvenate West Bay Drive, the city is aiming high - perhaps more than 10 stories high.

City officials plan to hold a summit on June 8 to ask local property and business owners if they think the area near the Community Center is the right spot for what could be the tallest building in Largo.

Building a high-rise north of West Bay Drive, between Fourth and Fifth streets NW, could get enough people living and working in downtown to energize surrounding businesses, said Largo Community Development Director Mike Staffopoulos.

Over the years, city officials have amassed several properties near the Community Center, which Largo plans to move from 65 Fourth St. NW to the old library in Largo Central Park. They are considering combining several of those properties and marketing the site to a private developer who could build a mix of retail and residential space 10, 15 or even 20 stories tall.

Or, they say, it could be four, six or eight stories tall.

City leaders tried to invigorate the area several years ago by widening West Bay Drive and marketing the old City Hall site to a developer, with mixed results.

Six years ago, the city broke ground on the $4.2-million road-widening project.

Two years later, Hyde Park Builders of Tampa paid $1.08-million for the 7.5-acre City Hall property. Largo relocated City Hall to Highland Avenue, and the developer built 54 luxury townhomes and about 21,000 square feet of shops and restaurants, including a Crispers and Fodalo Grill.

But other developers didn't follow suit, and downtown still isn't a destination, said City Manager Steve Stanton.

"Right now, downtown Largo is someplace you drive through to get somewhere else," Stanton said.

On West Bay Drive, however, opinions are mixed. Some who live and work in the area think it is outrageous to build tall buildings there. Others think it may work. All worry what impact it might have on them.

"Ten stories sounds ridiculous," said Clarice Terepka, 78, who owns the Cabinet Corner property and a couple of others on West Bay.

Bryan Leeth, general manager of Belleair Jewelry and Pawn, said a high-rise may be good for the community, but bad for his business, which is directly south of the community center.

"Something like that would definitely impact us, because we would no longer exist," said Leeth, 38.

Dr. Woody Brown of Main Street Chiropractic, around the corner from the community center, said city leaders should concentrate on supporting loyal downtown businesses rather than pursuing high-density redevelopment.

"I'd be very offended if they make me move because somebody wants to build a 20-story building," said Brown, 35. "It's a sad statement to run small businesses like this out."

But Staffopoulos said the city isn't planning on forcing merchants out. The city would like to buy properties on West Bay near the community center, he said, but redevelopment can be accomplished without purchasing them.

City officials have talked about building a mixed-use structure 10 to 20 stories tall, but Staffopoulos said the city isn't locked into the high-rise scenario.

Largo has owned a couple of properties in the area for decades. Over the past 15 years, city officials spent about $690,000 to acquire a dozen more parcels near the Community Center.

In recent months, the city discussed plans to relocate the Community Center to the old Largo Library, near Largo Central Park. That move would clear the way for the city to demolish the center and market the community center and adjacent properties to a developer, as it did on the south side of West Bay with the former City Hall site.

In 2002, after several unsuccessful bids on the former City Hall property in the late 1990s, Largo lassoed Hyde Park Builders, which built West Bay Village.

Now, on the north side of the road, city leaders envision a denser mix of residential office and retail than West Bay Village.

Staffopoulos, who recently toured Sarasota to see how building and landscaping concepts there could be adapted here, mentioned a few possibilities for the new construction.

One could be a high-rise building, with shops and restaurants on the first floor, parking on the second through sixth floors and residential units on additional stories. Another could be 10 stories or less, with parking in a separate structure. Still another option could be a mid-rise building of four to six stories, bordered by two- or three-story townhomes.

Finding a developer may be the easiest part of the equation, Staffopoulos said.

Because West Bay Drive is a redevelopment district, and the community center area is classified as recreation/open space, the city would have to amend the redevelopment plan to build residential and commercial structures on the site, he said. The changes would require approval from both the city and County Commissioners.

Local business owners and homeowners also expressed concern that the city might condemn their property to pull off the plan.

But chances of that are slim. Thursday, Gov. Jeb Bush signed a bill that strictly limits a city's use of eminent domain for private redevelopment. Earlier this month, Florida lawmakers approved the legislation, which requires Florida cities or counties to use eminent domain only for projects with public purpose, such as roads, utilities and schools.

Lawmakers also passed a measure that seeks to insert that same protection into the state Constitution. Florida residents will vote on the proposed amendment in November.

Even with the legislation, Terepka doesn't feel her property is secure from city officials if developers decide to build a high-rise nearby.

"I don't trust that decision," Terepka said. "I don't trust that they wouldn't condemn it."

Times Staff Writer Alex Leary contributed to this report. Lorri Helfand can be reached at 445-4155 or at lorri@sptimes.com

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