Las Palmas at Ballast Point, a townhome project that isn't actually in Ballast Point, should be ready by January 2005.
By MICHAEL CANNING
Published January 16, 2004
DEVELOPING ON THE EDGE: "Las Palmas at Sun Bay South, Formerly Gandy."
It just doesn't have a ring. So maybe we shouldn't blame the folks at Samter Homes for naming their new townhome project Las Palmas at Ballast Point, even though it's near Ballast Point, but not in it.
The site at 3300 W Gandy Blvd., between MacDill and Himes avenues, is actually on the northern edge of the recently renamed Sun Bay South neighborhood. Before it was called Gandy.
The five-building project will have 26 units ranging from 1,120 to 1,370 square feet, said Samter Homes president Peter Bennett. All will have two bedrooms and two and a half baths, two-car garages, and the options of wood floors, granite counters, and wiring for Internet access and surround sound systems.
And, yes, the exterior will sport the Mediterranean look.
Construction should be complete by January 2005, and prices will range from $170,000 to $205,000.
Samter is developing another site that's actually in Ballast Point. The yet-to-be-named loft project will be on the northeast corner of MacDill and Price avenues, the site of the former MacDill Avenue Church of Christ.
Bennett says the details haven't been finalized yet, but a two-building, 28-loft project is in the works. Although the project is still in the permitting phase, Bennett says he already has 12 reservations for the units, which will be priced in the low $200,000s.
The attraction: the classic loft selling points, like polished concrete floors, stainless steel kitchens and exposed ceilings.
He hopes to start construction in six months and finish 14 months later.
CENTRO PUTS ON HAPPY FACE: Last week's news that Tampa taxpayers will have to bail Centro Ybor out of a city-backed $9-million loan apparently hasn't dampened spirits there.
Centro spokeswoman Lisa Brock points out that the entertainment and shopping complex is about 90 percent occupied. "We're actually above the national average" for complexes of this type, she said.
Part of that 10 percent vacancy was created when American Eagle clothing store closed at the end of October. Brock said there are prospective retailers inquiring about occupying the 5,300-square-foot space, but she has nothing to announce yet.
Ditto for the former Cafe Mezzanotte space. The Italian restaurant closed in 2001. Brock said Centro intends to fill that space with another restaurant.
LIVING THE SWEET LIFE: The former Backstage Cafe at the Holiday Inn Tampa City Center, across from the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, has received a fortissimo makeover.
La Dolce Vita opened Dec. 1 with a new menu and a new look. Sure, the food's Italian. But it's authentic Italian, insists general manager Anthony Milano. You'll find no lettuce in the antipasto salad, he promises. Dinner entrees range from $12 to $30, and the wine cabinet stocks more than 27 different labels.
The decor changes include lush Florentine patterned carpet, oil paintings of Venetian street scenes and tables primly dressed with double table cloths and cobalt blue bottles of spring water.
Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 5 to 9 p.m. Sundays, and 7 to 11 a.m. everyday for breakfast.
La Dolce Vita is part of the Mancuso Group, which has other restaurants in South Beach and Lakeland.
NIGHTCLUB ABOUT TO FALL: The vacant, and once-derided, Club Atlanta on the corner of Kennedy Boulevard and Fremont Avenue will soon be torn down.
Demolition on the building and a former gas station across the street is expected to begin within 30 days.
Rising in the club's place will be a four-story, 40,000-square-foot office building. The Solomon Tropp Law Group will occupy about half of the building. The other half will be leased for offices or, possibly, retail stores.
Sandy Solomon purchased the property in March 2003. Before that, the club had been a source of numerous disturbances for the surrounding neighborhood.
On the gas station site, Solomon also wants to build a two-story, 11,000-square-foot building with a 38-space parking lot. Construction will begin when a prospective buyer or tenant materializes, said lawyer Jim Mikes, who is handling the project for Solomon.
- Do you know something that should be everybody's business? Call 226-3382, or e-mail mikecanning@hotmail.com
Politicards 2004
This deck is stacked - with 54 comic caricatures of presidential candidates and politicos, perfect for the election season. The deck sells for $5.95 at White House Gear, 615 Channelside Drive. Owned by a former White House photographer, the store sells clothing and political collectibles. Call 226-3176.
