Preliminary Plans Revealed for a Hotel Building at 111 N Meridian Ave in Channelside, Tampa
A rezoning application was recently filed on January 20th, entailing a proposed hotel featuring extensive retail space along N Meridian Avenue and hotel amenities and rooms. An original rezoning plan was approved by the Tampa City Council in 2019, outlining a first phase that later constructed 330 units and a phase two featuring a mini warehouse facility with ample commercial space. As per a new rezoning application, phase two will instead create a close to 500,000 square feet building (495,132 SF) developed by McKibbon Equities. According to the property’s site data, the project will include 304 hotel rooms, 35 parking spaces, 13,000 SF of retail on the bottom floor, and a 4,800 SF ‘AC Cafe’ along East Washington Street and North Meridian Avenue. Likewise, a large sidewalk lining newly planned landscaping will compliment the project’s massing. The development will request no waivers, with close to zero setbacks along any portion of the development. Uniquely, the site plan hints at the hotel being an ‘AC Hotel’ with the projects name being ‘MHG Tampa DT ACH-MX, LLC’ and the site plan showing an ‘AC Cafe’, albeit it’s all speculative and naming isn’t confirmed. Elevations draw out a 13 floor tower measuring 164 FT to the building’s parapet or 148 FT to the roof. Because the project is preliminary, rendering unfortunately aren’t available. Current processing status indicates the project is in its earliest stage: application review and traffic analysis, with closure occurring in the distant past. The project is located at 111 N Meridian Avenue.
“House of Wellness Hotel” Proposed in Brickell Using Rapid Transit Zoning
North at Brickell VI, LLC has submitted a Pre-Application for a new tower in Brickell named “House of Wellness Hotel”. The developer is hoping to gain a Special Exception for the development plan by designating the property as part of the “Metromover Subzone of the Rapid Transit Zone”. Through this path, the developer can achieve higher density/height for the project. It should be prefaced that the site plan, floor plans, building elevations, and overall design of the building is for reference only. The final plans will be submitted later after the developer gains the Special Exception approval. However, the height, density, and zoning parameters used in this application follow what’s allowed under the RTZ Metromover subzone. Additionally, the developer has proposed offering a monetary contribution towards improvements in the Metrorail station area, perhaps to facilitate the approval process. “House of Wellness Hotel” will include 832 hotel rooms, a 3,260 SF lobby, 347 parking spaces (although none are required under the RTZ subzone), and 12 bicycle spots. As per the site plan data, the tower will measure 43 floors or 437 FT. If the developer decides to change the height, RTZ zoning permits unlimited heights with heights only subject to FAA approval. Studio Mc+G Architecture is the main architect. The development will span 3 parcels at 132, 142, and 152 SW 9th Street.
2215 NW 1st Place Submitted to Wynwood Design Review Committee
Whale & Star Wynwood Owner, LLC has submitted new plans for a project located at 2215 NW 1st Place and 170 NW 23 Street. Plans include an 8-story mixed use building with 214 hotel rooms (between floors 2 and 5), 87 multifamily units (between floors 6 and 8), 87 parking spaces, and 313 bicycle spaces. To activate the ground floor for pedestrian traffic, the lobby will be accompanied by 8,935 SF of retail/restaurant space. Seeing that there’s been a flurry of development in Wynwood, it will be one of the shorter buildings in the neighborhood measuring 132 FT. Like many Miami projects nowadays, the project is requesting a slight increase in density in exchange for providing public benefits. For instance, under existing code, the building can only rise to 5 floors. Since the project is using Wynwood’s NRD-1 Public Benefits Program, planners are allotted a 50% density bonus and a max benefit height of 106 FT for habitable floors. Likewise, to meet the standards for Wynwood’s neighborhood characteristics, the project is including elevated art treatment by Goldman Global Arts. Six waivers were requested. These waivers ranged from increases in maximum allowed lot coverage, a reduction of parking by 30%, an allowance of parking within the mezzanine level, and more. It should be prefaced that the requested waivers don’t allow for taller heights nor increased density, but to enhance the overall design and function of the building. ODP is the architect of record while HWKN Architecture is the design consultant.