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Promoting The High Life

PHOTO: BY JANIS D. FROELICH

A view of the Port of Tampa is visible from an elegant living room at The Towers.

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By JANIS D. FROELICH, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 20, 2007

Updated: 10/18/2007 08:46 pm

CHANNEL DISTRICT David Kraus is sipping water after lifting weights in the exercise room at The Place at Channelside, one of several recently opened condominium complexes.

Kraus works at home and enjoys the convenience of nearby shops, movies and restaurants at Channelside.

'I lived in Harbour Island before this,' Kraus said. 'So I didn't have to be sold on the urban lifestyle.'

But lots of people may have to be if the 13 condominium projects showcased at last Saturday's Urban Home Tour, promoted by the Tampa Downtown Partnership, are to be teeming with residents.

Kraus said he had many choices as he pondered where to live in the Channel District.

'But The Place has cool floor designs and angular walls,' he said. Plus, he loved the view of the gritty Port of Tampa across the street.

A trio of complexes were included in the tour: Ventana, 1238 E. Kennedy Blvd.; The Place, 1101 Channelside Drive; and the Towers at Channelside, 1103 Cumberland Ave.

The tours showed that developers added many amenities to help motivate buyers. Despite a sluggish condominium market, the buildings are ready to add to the new neighborhood forming near downtown.

Dallas Coffield of Smith & Associates stood ready at the twin 29-story Towers to show how resort living can be as close as the Port of Tampa's docked cruise ships. The Towers, with large balconies overlooking the port, is wrapping up construction on an unusual swimming pool. It has a theme-park feeling, with faux rock formations, waterfalls and a pool deck where 1,700 people can mingle and relax.

The Towers will house a 28,000-square-foot fitness center and spa. There also are plans for a martini bar, tropical bars and restaurants for residents and guests. The city council approved the liquor licenses this month.

Ventana is a smaller, 84-unit project where residents on the pool level have a terrace patio. The signature of the structure, said Tanya Traviesa, CEO of RealWorks Real Estate, is the number of floor-to-ceiling windows.

'These units are very elegant,' Traviesa said. 'They feel much more like a private home.'

At The Place, concierge Renata Senter is hopeful residents think of the dwelling as an easy and fun place to live. She recently snagged a pair of University of South Florida football tickets for a resident.

'You'd be surprised what I'm asked to come up with,' she laughed. 'But yes, asking where to order a pizza is the biggie,' she said.

The Place's Mai Alexander showed off an urban fireplace where candles burned on a grate in one of the units. She said residents have an activity calendar listing yoga classes and pool exercises.

Away from the pool area is a quiet flowered meditation garden. Situated nearby is a juice bar where residents can bring their own refreshments.

Alexander, who moved here from Atlanta, said Tampa was a real eye-opener for her in 2002.

'The city wasn't as near advanced with lofts and condominium choices,' she said. 'Now there's a great variety downtown and in the Channel District. And there are some real luxury ones finally.'

Coffield, who organized this second urban tour, said the large-scale open house approach seems to be the best way to handle so many projects in various stages of readiness. Another tour is in the planning stages.

'If you want to see everything that is out here,' he said, 'this is the way to do it.'

Reporter Janis D. Froelich can be reached at (813) 835-2104 or jfroelich@tampatrib.com.

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