Commercial Development News - Appraisal Development International

APRIL 16, 2007 -- Tampa, Fla. -- The Tampa City Council has granted initial approval to proceed with final design and documentation for a 33-story, mixed-use tower in the city's Channel District. Urban Studio Architects, based in the city, will provide the design.

The project, which will be built to the standards of the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, will include 120 condos. Other firms involved in the project are Wilson Miller, a planning and engineering firm, and Mercury Advisors, both based in Tampa.

This innovative tower will overlook the Port of Tampa and the Florida Aquarium. It will include a three-story water wall, public plaza, motor court, and retail at street level. The Del Villar will have 6,000 square feet of two-story office space on its second floor, with a third-level amenities deck, including a pool, fitness center, and clubhouse.

The community will also include a 265-space robotic parking garage with an environmentally friendly green roof, the first of its kind in the Tampa area. The project will offer four two-bedroom units per floor, with a central service core, and an exterior facade design that maximizes energy-efficient building performance while providing a sleek artistic addition to the Tampa skyline.