Three are coming soon.

The developers of the SkyPoint condominium tower on Ashely Drive say they've signed leases for three new restaurants to move into the bottom floor. They will join Taps Wine and Beer Merchants, which opened earlier this year. One of the new restaurants, RAWbar Sushi, is being opened by Taps' owner James DeVito. The other two are Five Guys Burgers and Fries and Azteca Mexican Kitchen. All three are planned to open before the Super Bowl in February and all have signed five-year leases.

"These new restaurants offer an incredibly diverse selection to downtown Tampa residents and visitors," said Greg Minder, president of intowngroup, a partner with Novare Group in the SkyPoint.

The restaurants may be a good sign for downtown's redevelopment into a neighborhood. SkyPoint is one of more than a dozen area condominium projects to open in recent years. Developers plan others when the real estate market improves.
With the signing of these new leases, the retail space at SkyPoint is almost completely occupied. Just a 1,300 square-foot space remains.

The developer is now looking for businesses to fill 15,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space at its sister property around the corner on North Franklin Street. The Element was originally slated as a condominium tower but will now be apartments.

Reporter Shannon Behnken can be reached at  (813) 259-7804.