Water Street developer SPP to build hotel, condos in downtown Charleston
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Dec 10, 2022

The developer of Water Street Tampa is pursuing its first project outside of its hometown.

Strategic Property Partners, which is controlled by Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates’ Cascade Investment LLC, plans to redevelop the former Days Inn by Wyndham and surrounding property in downtown Charleston, South Carolina.

“Much like Tampa, Charleston is an exceptional community with a treasured history,” a spokeswoman for SPP said in a statement. “We look forward to applying the same thoughtful approach to development and design to 155 Meeting St. as we are doing here at Water Street Tampa, where phase one will be completed in the coming months and planning for phase two is already well underway. It is incredible to see Tampa’s vision for a vibrant and growing downtown continue to take shape.”

The property will be home to a luxury hotel and branded condominiums, SPP said Saturday. The site is within walking distance of some of Charleston’s biggest tourist attractions, including Charleston City Market, King Street and The Gibbes Museum of Art.

“At 155 Meeting Street, our goal is to deliver a mixed-use project that embodies Charleston’s timeless character and human-scaled urban fabric,” Brad Cooke, vice president of development at SPP, said in a statement. “We understand the significance of building amongst some of the city’s most important civic buildings and intend to create something that complements the historic district that the community will be proud of for years to come.”

In 2020, former SPP CEO James Nozar moved into an advisory role with the development firm to scout for deals across the U.S. The Charleston hotel and branded condos are the first projects SPP has publicly confirmed outside the Tampa Bay region.

Morris Adjmi Architects, which designed Water Street apartment tower Asher, will design the Charleston hotel and condos. Hollander Design, whose portfolio includes the Pendry Baltimore and The Belnord in New York City, is the landscape architect.

“We’re thrilled to have this opportunity to continue shaping the evolution of Charleston’s beloved historic district,” said Morris Adjmi of Morris Adjmi Architects. “Our design approach will remain focused on bridging the city’s past, present, and future with architecture inspired by Charleston’s unique history, context and community.”