Westshore's Concorde Career Institute will be redeveloped into apartments
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Jun 13, 2024

A St. Petersburg developer wants to transform Concorde Career Institute’s Westshore property into an apartment complex.

Paradise Ventures has asked Tampa to rezone the 3.3-acre property at the southwest corner of North Lois Avenue and West Spruce Street to make way for a seven-story apartment complex with up to 331 units. Concorde’s property sits between two other multifamily complexes, Novus Westshore and Varela Westshore.

“We believe strongly in the Westshore market, and this property in particular for future multifamily development,” Chris Zimmerman, director of acquisitions for Paradise Ventures, said in a statement, “and so as we wait out some of the current headwinds, it made sense to make productive use of the time by designing and entitling the site so it’s ready as market conditions return.”

Apartment construction has been a cornerstone of the Tampa Bay economy for the better part of a decade. But with high interest rates and rising construction costs — alongside plateauing and declining rents — many developers are unable to make projects pencil out. Those who can move forward believe their developments will be well-positioned for lease-up in 2026 and beyond.

As part of the project, Paradise plans to widen and enhance the sidewalks and streetscapes along North Lois Avenue and West Spruce Street. There will also be a 1,220-square-foot commercial space on the building’s ground floor.

Gardner Brewer Hudson PA is the developer’s legal representative. Kimley-Horn is the engineer; CBA Architects is the architect. Lincks & Associates Inc. is the transportation engineer, and Dark Moss is the arborist.

“Westshore is one of the most important mixed-use districts in the entire Tampa Bay region,” Tyler Hudson, a partner in Gardner Brewer Hudson PA, said in a statement. “Adding needed rental housing to this vital employment center will further Westshore’s evolution as an attractive, live-work-play district.”