Long-awaited, 33-story residential tower by Straz Center appears to be moving forward
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Jul 11, 2017

A luxury residential tower in downtown Tampa, years in the making, appears to be moving closer to groundbreaking.

Miami-based American Land Ventures has submitted its design plans for a residential tower near the David J. Straz Jr. Center for Performing Arts to the city of Tampa. That approval will ensure the tower - named AER in the Arts District - complies with city guidelines on items like the proposed elevations, green space and setbacks.

AER was originally proposed in January 2013. One reason for the project's delay is that roadwork construction must be scheduled around the Straz's Broadway series, giving it a narrow window in which to break ground.

Those design plans detail a 33-story tower with 271 residential units and 7,335 square feet of retail space on the ground floor, fronting West Tyler Street and a portion of Doyle Carlton Drive. A 5,335-square-foot amenities lounge will also be on the ground floor.

It's difficult to peg exactly when construction will begin. The site for the tower where the tower will be built does not yet exist - Cass and Tyler streets must be reconfigured to create the 1-acre footprint for the building.

Bob McDonaugh, the city's chief economic development official, said Tuesday that the developer's roadway plans have been reviewed and returned with comments. Both the roadway plan and design plans must be approved before ALV could move forward with construction, McDonaugh said.

Ashley Gurbal Kritzer is senior reporter for the Tampa Bay Business Journal.