July 2006
By Janis D. Froelich

District's Vista Is Taking Shape

This provides an idea of how Ventana will fit into the Channel District skyline after months of looking at blueprints.

Once a run-down warehouse district, the first wave of residential development in the area is largely complete, with several condominium projects opening in the past two years.

The second wave in the development of the Channel District includes four residential projects, including Ware's. The first should begin opening by the end of the year.

Ware's Ventana at Kennedy Boulevard and Channelside Drive will open in early 2007. That follows Grand Central at Kennedy, which is expected to open its first building by the end of 2006; it's next door to Ventana.

The Towers of Channelside, across from the Channelside entertainment complex, will follow. Finally, the first phase of The Place at Channelside Drive and Washington Street will be ready for residents by the end of 2007.

Ware said it is fitting to acknowledge the pioneers in the Channel District, the first-wave developers who built Victory Lofts, Meridian and Channelside 212 Lofts, residences that have opened in the past two years.

Now, he said, the second wave will bring shape and substance to the former warehouse district.

"These are larger projects," he said. "Most with retail, so people will really get a vision of how life will be here as these open."

He expects the addition of retail will generate traffic between buildings. Because the exterior of Ventana - the Spanish word for windows - is 60 percent glass, residents will see how close Ventana is to Grand Central. Next to the elevator for Ventana, which is 75 percent sold, there will be a direct path to the grocery store planned inside Grand Central.

Likewise, Ventana plans 7,600 square feet of retail space, where Ware hopes to see businesses that cater to local residents' needs, such as a coffee shop, dry cleaners and bank.

Reaching the 10th floor via a construction elevator recently, Ware pointed out the views afforded Channel District residents. The downtown and Port of Tampa offer color and interest.

Richard Sacchi, of Sacchi, McGuinness and Hite, developers of the Towers, hopes construction will begin soon for a third wave of proposed projects.

"We have the momentum going," said Sacchi, adding that his two 29-story towers are sold out. The first is expected to be finished in July 2007, and the second by September 2007, totaling 257 units.

The Towers plans a 28,000-square-foot spa and fitness center and other retail offerings, such as a martini bar.

"We need more places for people to live here to really make the Channel District spectacular," Sacchi said.

Ken Stoltenberg, of Mercury Advisors, developer of Grand Central, said his first building should open at the end of the year, with the second structure opening by summer 2007.

"All these projects will certainly move the Channel District closer to becoming an urban mecca," Stoltenberg said, "but we're not over the hump yet. We need four or five more buildings completed."

Stoltenberg, whose 392 units at Grand Central are sold out, plans to provide one more building. The Martin at Kennedy Boulevard and Meridian Avenue will open its sales center in October for its planned 370 units.

Fida Sirdar, president of Key Developers, also plans phase two of The Place. That phase will be a 33-story building with 465 residential units and some retail space.

Ware, whose grandfather bought the property 50 years ago, said the growth eventually will link downtown with the Channel District.

"Right now it seems like a real long walk between the two," Ware said. "But not when a pedestrian life is happening."