Westshore Development News

[Jasonhouse]

I just saw it today, otherwise I would be right there with ya.

It's a box store clogging up another prime corner in Westshore. I figure the less I know about it, the less I have to think about how much this city sucks at developing itself.


Ok, I can't resist... The money quote...

Saber Corner plans to clear the site and develop a 35,000-square-foot retail development anchored by The Container Store. Along with the 25,050-square-foot main building, the project will include a 3,500-square-foot bank outparcel and a separate 6,000-square-foot building.

“This is the best corner in Tampa; its across from International Plaza, says Michael Klinger, managing principal of Saber Real Estate Advisors LLC”

http://www.review.net/section/detail...ore-on-spruce/


Suburban design and thinking at its finest. It's claimed to be the best corner in Tampa for retail, so let's build a shitty strip plaza and after it's built, we can all wonder aloud why Tampa still doesn't have good jobs and nobody with the wherewithal to fix the issue likes the city enough to move here and do so.

[TampaMike]

So, it's exactly the city of Tampa walking all over the idea of making Westshore more pedestrian friendly. Kudos Tampa, kudos!

[koopalicious]

I'm pretty sure it was planned before the overlay.

[USF802]

So I am new to this board, but I thought I would chime and become a member.

I have noticed some recent development around the Westshore area, the first being at TriPointe Plaza. Does anyone know if they are building the hotel or restaurant there (see link).
http://tripointeplaza.com/TriSiteHotel.htm

Also there appears to be development to the site immediately west of TriPointe Plaza and north of W. Chestnut St. Not sure what is going there either.

And at last it appears the Tampa Airport and Stadium Inn is being demolished.

[TampaMike]

Originally Posted by USF802

So I am new to this board, but I thought I would chime and become a member.

I have noticed some recent development around the Westshore area, the first being at Tri Point Plaza. Does anyone know if they are building the hotel or restaurant there (see link).
http://tripointeplaza.com/TriSiteHotel.htm

Also there appears to be development to the site immediately west of Tri Point Plaza and north of W. Chestnut St. Not sure what is going there either.

And at last it appears the Tampa Airport and Stadium Inn is being demolished.

Welcome to the Boards USF802

I can't say I have heard anything about any of this. I hope that it's the hotel over the restaurant, considering the proximity to the airport and International Plaza.

[smiley]

It looks more like the restaurant replaces the hotel
old - pic won't post here so click on this to see it
http://tripointeplaza.com/photosyn.htm
new

[Jasonhouse]

They're marketing it both ways. We can all guess which tenant is more likely.

[tampaizzy]

i'm holding out hope for the hotel, and welcome to the board by the way

[koopalicious]

The Stadium Inn is slated to be replaced by a car dealership. The site to the west of Tripointe, I believe, will become apartments. Although I have not seen a plan, I imagine they would be similar in size and scale to some of the recent residential developments in Westshore.

I drove past early this afternoon (while it was raining) and didn't see anything going on at Tripointe where the restaurant/hotel is slated to go. I guess you noticed some movement?

[USF802]

Originally Posted by koopalicious

I drove past early this afternoon (while it was raining) and didn't see anything going on at Tripointe where the restaurant/hotel is slated to go. I guess you noticed some movement?

When I drove past it the other day, it was surrounded with that black construction tarp/fencing and there was at least one piece of construction equipment there and I could see some information posted, but couldn't make out what exactly it showed or said.

And thanks for the info on the other sites.

[Jasonhouse]

Hasn't it been in such a state ever since construction stopped on the hotel when it was set to go vertical?

[TPAMAN]

See below:

Margaret Cashill
Staff Writer- Tampa Bay Business Journal
Email
Darden Restaurants’ seafood and steak restaurant Eddie V’s Prime Seafood is about to open in Tampa.

Inspired by seafood restaurants of New Orleans, San Francisco and Boston, according to its website, Eddie V’s has six locations, four of them in Texas.

A spokesman said Darden (NYSE: DRI) has signed a lease for an Eddie V’s in Tampa but that the Orlando-based company cannot provide any details until it completes the permitting process.

Meanwhile, sources tell Tampa Bay Business Journal that Eddie V’s will open at TriPointe Plaza in early 2013.

The Synovus Bank and office development is at the southwest corner of Boy Scout Boulevard and Manhattan Avenue.

TriPointe Plaza documents mention a “10,000-square-foot seafood and steak restaurant,” among other on-site amenities.

Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion, Fleming’s Steakhouse and Lee Roy Selmon’s are nearby.

Ker’s takes WingHouse to Gainesville
Former University of Florida football player Crawford Ker will return to his stomping grounds in September when he opens the 21st Ker’s WingHouse Bar & Grill in Gainesville.

The Largo-based chain has 20 company-owned locations, about half of which are in Tampa Bay. Now, Ker’s is looking for candidates to open franchise locations throughout Florida.

Ker, an NFL player-turned-restaurateur, said he plans to expand the sports-themed wing and casual dining chain while staying focused on time-tested strategies that have made the restaurants popular.

Ker’s continues to invest in high-definition televisions to deliver the best picture quality and sound, for example.

Outdoor decks have become popular as indoor smoking has fallen out of favor. New restaurants, including the one in Gainesville, feature outdoor decks.

[Jasonhouse]

Darden Restaurants? lol, won't ever be going there.

Outdoor decks have become popular as indoor smoking has fallen out of favor.

Also known as "illegal".

[smiley]

sweet. You can eat there and then drive over to the container store . . .

[tampasteve]

Have to say I like the Eddie V's in Austin. They have a nice happy hour. At least it is a more up market restaurant and not a fast food joint or Red Lobster.

Steve

[HARTride 2012]

Originally Posted by Jasonhouse

Darden Restaurants? lol, won't ever be going there.

Frankly; I don't have a problem with Darden, except that Olive Garden's menu needs a facelift. I've always loved Red Lobster and have always had great service. I am not sure how Seasons 52 at WestShore is, but I hear it's pretty good.

[Jasonhouse]

I like Red Lobster well enough, but that's it. I used to like Bahama Breeze, until Darden destroyed their menu to try and save money. Longhorn has also declined and is now seriously overpriced for what you get. Been to Capitol Grille twice and it was great, but when it costs $200+ for 3 people to eat, it better be awesome.

I've been to Seasons 52 several times and have never liked their scam of charging people full pop for dieter's portions. (and the desserts in particular are an epic ripoff imho). And at least at the Orlando location, which is the one I've been to the most, the service has always s-u-c-k-e-d. Last time I went there was for an ex-gf's birthday, and after more than an hour wait to be seated (we were told it would be 20-30 minutes), no one bothered to take our drink/appetizer orders until one of us went and told the hostess we hadn't seen anyone for over 10 minutes. When the waitress came, everyone placed their dinner order as well... which then took almost another hour to get. We asked to speak to the manager to complain, but he never came so we just paid and left. I've never been back since.

[Del Mayberry]

We don't really have a thread for this but thought it should go here. As some of you may have already seen, the old hotel on DM just south of Columbus is being torn down. Don't know if the Green Iguana is staying though. It actually may look better from DM because you can see right through to the newer Westshore buildings. Any idea if something new is coming?

[TPAMAN]

Nothing good...just another car lot...


About a month after closing one restaurant and opening another, the Green Iguana Bar & Grill is shutting down its Dale Mabry location near Raymond James Stadium.

Green Iguana's parent company, G.I. Entertainment & Restaurant Group, announced Monday the Stadium location at 2520 N Dale Mabry Highway will close Wednesday night. Officials said the closure had nothing to do with the restaurant's performance, and efforts are under way to find a new location.

"This is not our decision. Unfortunately the property has been sold and the new owners of the property are putting a car dealership in this space," operating partner Alan Fosco said in a statement.

The Tampa-based chain is reassigning the managers and will try to keep as many employees as possible, he said. The entire restaurant, adjacent Hawaiian Village concert venue and former hotel will be bulldozed.

Rappers Machine Gun Kelly and Tech N9ne will be Hawaiian Village's final act on Wednesday. Reggae artist Luciano's July 7 show was expected to move to Jannus Live in St. Petersburg.

Rumors about the closure came to head when musicians performing at Green Iguana locations were notified of the pending plans. Jimmy James, who books talent for the Green Iguana, said entertainers at the Stadium restaurant will continue to perform at the other locations.

Known for its oversized green iguana perched on a tiki hut-style roof, the Stadium Green Iguana opened about two years ago and leased the space. Green Iguana's Hawaiian Village directly behind it quickly became a popular concert venue, drawing big names like Korn, Anthrax and Paul Oakenfold, and popular events like DayGlow parties.

In May, Green Iguana closed its St. Petersburg waterfront location at 8790 Bay Pines Blvd., after the G.I. Entertainment & Restaurant Group decided not to renew its lease. The same month, Green Iguana opened at Tampa International Airport.

The first Green Iguana opened more than 20 years ago on West Shore Boulevard in Tampa, followed by locations in Brandon, Ybor City and on Anderson Road near the Veterans Expressway. The Ybor City location is a franchise owned by Jason Fernandez, who also owns Bernini, Hot Willy's and the new Carne Chophouse, all in Ybor City. In addition, Green Iguana's parent company owns Hula Bay Club and the Retreat, both in Tampa.

Home of $5 burgers on Monday and other daily specials, the chain has built a following around its live music and Caribbean-inspired casual atmosphere. Last month, Green Iguana's hamburgers took top honors at the first Burger Showdown at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in Tampa.

[Last modified: Jun 25, 2012 05:03 PM]

Copyright 2012 Tampa Bay Times

[Jasonhouse]

Wouldn't it have to go through rezoning to become a car dealership?