St. Petersburg Development News

[bobliocatt]

Downtown St. Petersburg

***Future Signature Skyline Graphic by St. Pete Times - A MUST SEE

http://www.orioncondos.com]www.orioncondos.com

341 Lofts

Developer: N/A

Floors/Height: 7 stories

Building Use: 6 loft units

Status: proposed

Website: N/A

1010 Central Avenue

Developer: Miles Properties

Floors/Height: 5 stories

Building Use: 112 condo units

Status: proposed

Website: N/A

Grand Central Condo Project - Central Av & 20th St. (Jim Hartley)

Rendering not available

Developer: Jim Harley

Floors/Height: 4 stories

Building Use: 21 condo units

Status: proposed

Website: N/A

Salvador Dali Museum - old Bayfront Center site

Developer: N/A

Floors/Height: 3 stories

Building Use: 50,000 sf museum

Status: proposed

Website: N/A

Florida Sports Hall of Fame - NE corner of 16th St and 1st Avenue S

Developer: Grady Pridgen

Floors/Height: museum and three 5 story buildings

Building Use: 30,000sf museum; 326 residential units

Status: proposed

Website: N/A

St. Petersburg Skyline diagram

Aggressive development: City jumps in

Impact fees pending, agenda in works for downtown perimeter

Jane Meinhardt

Staff writer

ST. PETERSBURG -- A site plan for a huge office complex development on the western edge of downtown St. Petersburg was unveiled Tuesday for its first governmental review.

As initially proposed, the $65-million development would include three towers and a parking garage on a two-block site between Central Avenue and Second Avenue South and Seventh and Eighth streets.

St. Petersburg-based Arc Group Inc., the developer, would build the office park in several phases. The project would add about 495,000 square feet of office space to downtown.

The downtown area has been deluged with new residential projects but has had no new large office developments in recent years.

"We're certainly pleased to see office (space) move forward," John Hixenbaugh, the city's zoning official, told the Environmental Development Commission during the panel's review of the site plan Tuesday.

However, the commission deferred action on the site plan after several residents and neighborhood association representatives expressed concerns about the lack of specific details for ground floor uses, pedestrian amenities and the appearance of the parking garage.

James King, the developer's agent and VP of the engineering firm George F. Young Inc., indicated a revised site plan for the project would be presented again in February. The development would provide great business opportunities for downtown in the area west of Fourth Street, he said.

Yet to land a tenant

Arc Group has no specific tenant at this time for the project.

"They are pursuing a user for the site," King said, adding that the project could be changed when the developer lands a final user. "We are trying to provide progress for the city of St. Petersburg."

The project's first phase would add a six- to nine-story, 165,000-square-foot building on the parking lot west of the existing office building on the site's north block.

Plans for the second phase include development of two seven-story buildings of 165,000 square feet each over a six-story parking structure that would provide 2,325 spaces on the south block, which is currently vacant except for a closed convenient store.

Downtown St. Petersburg's overall office vacancy rate in the third quarter of 2004 was 9 percent, lower than other submarkets in Pinellas County, according to Cushman & Wakefield's most recent market statistics.

Arc Group is attempting to "get the site vested" with an approved development site plan to avoid having to pay a transportation impact fee, Hixenbaugh said.

The city's "no-fee" zone will be discontinued in April, which means new developments in the zone will have to start paying fees for transportation improvements. The zone is basically from near downtown west to 49th Street and between 13th Avenue North and 45th Avenue South.

The transportation impact fee is based on construction cost, project type and other factors. The fee for a 100,000-square-foot office building would be about $200,000.

Developing the Dome area

In another move to avoid the impending impact fee and minimize expenses for a potential developer, the city submitted a site plan proposal for a 460,000-square-foot office and manufacturing project for the city-owned Dome Industrial Park. The commission approved the plan.

"It was very important to get this vested," said Ron Barton, the site plan applicant and St. Petersburg's economic development director.

The plan has no projected cost because it is still at a conceptual stage.

The site plan approval does not mean the city will construct the project or that it has a user. Instead, it provides incentive for development and will give a developer the ability to maximize the use of the property without having to pay a transportation impact fee, Barton said.

The city spent about $7 million acquiring property to create the Dome Industrial Park redevelopment area west of Tropicana Field and has been trying to attract a redevelopment partner.

The site plan shows a project on the southeast corner of 22nd Street South and Fifth Avenue. The project includes three four-story buildings and a three-story parking garage for a total of 1,174 spaces on the site.

"If these projects went through, talk about the vacancy rate," said Christopher Leonard, an office and industrial space specialist at Colliers Arnold. "The city has gotten extremely aggressive and wants a single user tenant for the Dome to promote value to the city. You don't often have cities acquiring property."

[PghUSA]

Sounds like a very good project, got any pics of it?

[bobliocatt]

Not right now, but I'll be looking and I'll post it, as soon as one becomes available.

[Benhamin]

They really need this to redevelop the dome area. It is a big piece of sh*t, and a very underutiltzed resource.

[I-275westcoastflorida]

Bayway lofts

Floors: 29

Height: 371 ft

Groundbreaking: 2005 (projected)

Completion: 2007 (projected)

Type: Residential

Status: Proposed

Location: Downtown St. Petersburg

Address: N/A

Originally proposed by developer Grady Pridgen in early 2004, the Bayway Lofts were supposed to be 510 feet high with 42 floors. After battles with the city over height issues, the project was scaled down to a more manageable 371 feet in July of 2004. The project will feature retail at ground level, and a rooftop restaurant, but is primarily residential. Prices for units are set to range from between $200,000 and $500,000 - lower than other high rise residential projects in downtown St. Petersburg. A parking garage will fill the lowest levels of the project, located at Third Avenue N and Second Street.

That really sucks the thing about height issues i never knew St.Petersburg had height restrictions its sad to think we could of had a tower as tall as something in Tampa like i said before St.Petersburgs skyline is really behind

EDIT:Wow it turns out that stupid airport is the reason why there cant be tall buildings in downtown St.Pete oh well

Edited February 21, 2005 by I-275westcoastflorida

[Dale]

Bayway lofts

Floors: 29

Height: 371 ft

Groundbreaking: 2005 (projected)

Completion: 2007 (projected)

Type: Residential

Status: Proposed

Location: Downtown St. Petersburg

Address: N/A

Originally proposed by developer Grady Pridgen in early 2004, the Bayway Lofts were supposed to be 510 feet high with 42 floors. After battles with the city over height issues, the project was scaled down to a more manageable 371 feet in July of 2004. The project will feature retail at ground level, and a rooftop restaurant, but is primarily residential. Prices for units are set to range from between $200,000 and $500,000 - lower than other high rise residential projects in downtown St. Petersburg. A parking garage will fill the lowest levels of the project, located at Third Avenue N and Second Street.

That really sucks the thing about height issues i never knew St.Petersburg had height restrictions its sad to think we could of had a tower as tall as something in Tampa like i said before St.Petersburgs skyline is really behind

EDIT:Wow it turns out that stupid airport is the reason why there cant be tall buildings in downtown St.Pete oh well

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't think this was as much a height restriction as it was homeowners in the area objectiong to the height.

Tibor Hollo, as you may know, is planning a 42 st. tower (the old Tropicana site).

[I-275westcoastflorida]

I don't think this was as much a height restriction as it was homeowners in the area objectiong to the height.

Tibor Hollo, as you may know, is planning a 42 st. tower (the old Tropicana site).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh i hope that goes through.

[Dale]

Oh i hope that goes through.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Unless I'm mistaken, this project would be less subject to controversy.

[Benhamin]

I-275, I'm not sure it's the airport that restricts height, I believe it's the distance from the bay. The closer to the bay a project is, the shorter it has to be. At least this is what I remember hearing when I lived there. I may be wrong though.

I would have been ecstatic (sp?) if they built a 510 foot tower in St. Petersburg, I was hoping it would be taller.

Edited February 23, 2005 by Benhamin

[I-275westcoastflorida]

I-275, I'm not sure it's the airport that restricts height, I believe it's the distance from the bay. The closer to the bay a project is, the shorter it has to be. At least this is what I remember hearing when I lived there. I may be wrong though.

I would have been ecstatic (sp?) if they built a 510 foot tower in St. Petersburg, I was hoping it would be taller.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually i read the airport restrictions thing right off a official tampa bay site when they were talking about the project

Edited February 23, 2005 by I-275westcoastflorida

[TallTampa]

Actually i read the airport restrictions thing right off a official tampa bay site when they were talking about the project

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Lots of energy downtown right now. I was down there for First Friday last week and there was a huge crowd and lots going on. I feel like St.Pete is one of the more underated cities in the Southeast. Things have really turned around and it seems like it's only going to get better. Most of the projects on this thread are likely to happen (or are happening) and more are apparently on the way. A great turnaround for a city that was down and out 15 years ago.

[TampaRE]

Lots of energy downtown right now. I was down there for First Friday last week and there was a huge crowd and lots going on. I feel like St.Pete is one of the more underated cities in the Southeast. Things have really turned around and it seems like it's only going to get better. Most of the projects on this thread are likely to happen (or are happening) and more are apparently on the way. A great turnaround for a city that was down and out 15 years ago.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The best thing about St Pete is the beach location. It makes Tampa look really good too; having that Tri-City conglomerate. Tampa, Clearwater and St Pete. I enjoy taking some of our out-of-town guests at the St Pete Pier. Dine at the top overlooking the beach and skyline (a small skyline for now).

Marc

[bobliocatt]

With the light rail plan officially dead and Pinellas County's proposed monorail being too expensive, I think it would be a great idea to connect downtown Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater with commuter rail. Connecting the Bay Area's core urban areas with a mass transit method, other than vehicles, would be a boon for the region.

[Brickell]

I was in St. Pete last weekend. Made a special trip into downtown to get a meal. I was a little dissapointed with the dining options for a saturday night, but we found thai place that ended up being pretty good. the waitress even danced for us.

I was suprised by the built environment of downtown. It was much bigger than i anticipated. The area definitely has a lot of potential. And lakelander is right. Tampa, St. Pete and Clearwater would do much better to connect to each other sooner rather than later. It would increase the urban choiced in residents in all three communities.

[Jahi98]

The crib is definately on the come up. It's exciting to see the skyline transform before our eyes in such a short time.

I believe site work has already begun for Bayway Lofts, and I think Opus will begin sales and construction on the 400 Beach Drive condo this year instead of 2006.

Then there's the Tropicana block, Bayview Tower, Maas Brothers block redevelopment (where the Florida Int'l Museum is now)... The core should be quite lively in 3 to 5 years, and there's still room for more.

I'm really interested to see what Central Avenue becomes in 5 years, with all of the projects proposed, approved and nearing construction. I can see Central Avenue rising to be the premier urban corridor of the city.

[LilyLS]

The crib is definately on the come up. It's exciting to see the skyline transform before our eyes in such a short time.

I believe site work has already begun for Bayway Lofts, and I think Opus will begin sales and construction on the 400 Beach Drive condo this year instead of 2006.

Then there's the Tropicana block, Bayview Tower, Maas Brothers block redevelopment (where the Florida Int'l Museum is now)... The core should be quite lively in 3 to 5 years, and there's still room for more.

I'm really interested to see what Central Avenue becomes in 5 years, with all of the projects proposed, approved and nearing construction. I can see Central Avenue rising to be the premier urban corridor of the city.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I hope you're right about Central Avenue. I also hope they come up with a better name that "the Dome District." Maybe I'll come to be fond of it, but my initial reaction is that the "Grand Central District" sounds much better (althought that designation is for Central Ave., from 20th Street west to 28th St. I think.)

I reserved a 2/2 condo at 1010 Central Avenue the day they went on the market. It's a 5-story building, only 112 units, with Central Avenue 1st floor units being 2-story live-work units, and the top floor residential units being 2-story on the fourth and fifth floors. They just went on the market on 3/9/05. It looked like the developer, real estate co. or someone was holding back about 15 units initially, and in the first two weeks all were sold but 12 units or so (mostly 1/1s) and the ones held back. Then they were all on the market and within 5 weeks of sales starting, they are sold out!

They were saying construction would start around 6/05, and closings would be around 9/06 or so. They've set up construction barriers. They'll need to do site work first, but can't wait till our new home takes shape!

From reading the posts on this site, and other construction news in the St. Pete Times, it looks like 1010 is the project that is "testing the water". The condos and development from 4th Street to Tampa Bay has done well. There are some townhouses and scattered condos and lofts west of 16th between 1st Ave So., Central and 1st Ave No. in St. Pete.

1010 Central will be the furthest west Central condo development initially, but if Grady Pridgen gets started on his three 5-story building project, I think between 13th and 16th on the south side of Central, we'll be more centralized. The Orion and Casablanca Towers are slated to go up on 8th Street, around 3rd Ave So. and 6th Ave. So. I think. The old Landmark Bank on Central between 8th and 9th Street is supposed to become the new Arts Center. Sembler said they were going to be doing a tower with lower floor parking and offices (I think) and condos above, a few blocks north of Central and just east of 8th Street.

The Sacino family owns property around 1000 Central and they are talking about doing an 11-story condo building, but they don't want to be the first ones out of ground. With the rapid sales of 1010, next door to their property, they may feel more reassured there's a definite market made up of people who are excited by the changes and vibrancy of St. Petersburg, and who are willing to invest and be a part of it!

This is the first time I've posted anything like this on a web site, and I hope I've done it right.

[GregoryMCSE]

I was in St Pete today for a D-Rays game. The Parkshore Plaza condo tower looks to be a nice addition to St pete's skyline. Nice dowtown with retail, and nice wide streets. Not a lot of foot traffic though. St pete has a tom of potential though.

[TampaTKE]

More Downtown St. Pete Development!

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/09/08/Business..._condos_c.shtml

[Buck1intpa]

More Downtown St. Pete Development!

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/09/08/Business..._condos_c.shtml

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nice, indeed!

Good luck, St. Pete! Hope they are approved.

[I-275westcoastflorida]

Just adding these here

The Edge:

The Edge 31 stories would be built at 300 Fourth Ave. S. Its fiber-optic, backlit northeastern face will change color with the temperature

La Vista:

The 25-story La Vista would be built at 251 Fifth St. N. It would have 196 loft-style condos and parking on the first six floors.

Edited November 4, 2005 by I-275westcoastflorida

[TampaTKE]

Proposed 26 story high rise condo starting at 1.6 Million!!

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/12/20/Southpin...in_for_un.shtml

[bulldogger]

I don't know if this has been posted anywhere else. I didn't see it. I saw an ad for this in Orlando CEO magazine. This is the same guy that owns Grand Bohemian in downtown Orlando. This design is sweet.

http://www.grandbohemianresidences.com/

[Dale]

I don't know if this has been posted anywhere else. I didn't see it. I saw an ad for this in Orlando CEO magazine. This is the same guy that owns Grand Bohemian in downtown Orlando. This design is sweet.

http://www.grandbohemianresidences.com/

[KJHburg]

I will post some photos of downtown St Petersburg with their new tallest building 1 St. Petersburg condo tower.  41 stories and 456 feet tall. 

downtown St Pete today.  Very lively street scene especially along Central much change since my last visit 15 years ago or so.   this has to be the most changed downtown of any major city in Florida.  Formerly nicknamed  God's Waiting Room now is very youthful and hip! 

 

[KJHburg]

Looks like Foot Locker Inc. will relocate their corporate HQ to St Pete from NYC.   that is a great win for Florida and entire Tampa Bay region.