Archive for February, 2008
400 Beach - rental update
February 29th, 2008 categories: 400 Beach, Market Updates
There are currently five condos for rent at 400 Beach, all on an annual lease, unfurnished. They range in price from $3,500 per month to $5,000 per month. They range in size from 2,450 sq ft to 3,288 sq ft.
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400 Beach - Luxury Downtown Condo - St Petersburg FL
February 25th, 2008 categories: 400 Beach
400 Beach is the latest luxury condo to open along Beach Drive in downtown St. Petersburg. Closings began in December 2007 and the first residents moved in. Closings of the developer units are continuing. So far, 30 of the 93 units have closed.
There are currently 15 units on the market, ranging from $749,000 to $5,500,000. Five of the 15 units are developer owned. Four units are offered for annual lease, ranging from $4,000/month to $5,500/month. For those who are curious - the cost per square foot ranged from $344 to $581, with an average of $421/sq ft.
Shops and restaurants will line Beach Drive and 4th Avenue North on the sidewalk level - there are posters in the windows but none have yet opened. Above these are “city” homes. Then the recreation level - the pool deck overlooks the park and waterfront.
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Garagemahal
February 23rd, 2008 categories: Dolphin Cay, Miscellany, Old Northeast, Terms and Abbreviations
A garagemahal is a home where the garage (often a 3-car garage or more) dominates the front view of the house. I don’t know that the word applied to townhomes that may have only a one car garage, but the point is the same when you see the garage but not the entrance and no other facade than the garage. The word comes from the Taj Mahal, so there’s a bit of irony in that most of these garagemahals have none of the majesty of the originating building. We have to assume that somewhere behind the garages, there IS a house.
The opposite to this is a development such as Dolphin Cay, where the single family homes (other than the waterfront homes) are designed to be pedestrian-friendly, generally with a front porch. The garages are behind the homes, unobtrusive, and occasionally with living space above the garage - a home office, a guest suite, a recreation room.
The Old Northeast, a popular neighborhood in St Petersburg that is close to downtown, is pedestrian friendly, which adds to its appeal. Some of the homes in the Old Northeast date back to the 1910s - others are still being built, though generally on lots that previously had homes. Characteristic of the neighborhood, garages are typically behind the house, with alley access. The front porches encourage neighbors to know one another, as you’re much more likely to chat if one of you is on the porch and the other is on the sidewalk walking by. People are unlikely to walk up to your house and ring the doorbell just to say, Hello! When you’re within sight of one another, it’s only natural to nod, wave or strike up a conversation.
Hint: if you want to get to know your neighbors, take a dog out for a walk (yours or one that’s borrowed) - just remember that they’ll know your dog before they know you.
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Ooze and Schmooze at 400 Beach
February 22nd, 2008 categories: 400 Beach, Downtown St Petersburg
All’s not well at Oooze and Schmooze
After reading an article in the St Pete Times today, I’ve concluded that not only is Ooze and Schmooze at 400 Beach not likely to open this spring (even Hammerhead Grille is months behind schedule) … there may be others issues.
2/20/08 I’ve added some additional links below to blogs and comments that have appeared on the web, primarily from Laura Reiley’s blog, as well as a followup article in the St Pete Times.
The Times reported that Jeanne Pierola, former Executive Chef at Bern’s Restaurant, visited the Beach Drive site and inquired about it. Wherever she might choose to locate a restaurant, it would be great to have Jeanne here in St. Pete.
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Showcase Event for ICF and Accessoreez in St Petersburg
February 22nd, 2008 categories: Lifestyle, Miscellany, Things To Do
Showcase of art for your home and glass jewelry
Accessoreez and Image Creations of Florida hosted a designer’s showcase event in St Petersburg. I was fortunate to be invited to this private event, planned to make a quick stop for 15 minutes, and then spent over an hour there. Not only did I have a chance to talk with old friends and meet some new ones … I saw some wonderful wearable art, some for me and some for my home.
Linda and Jack Albrecht, friends and clients, have been serving the Tampa Bay interior design community for more than a dozen years - creating wonderful cast paper art, providing unique faux painting for homes, framing original artwork and prints, Giclee (pronounced zhee-clay) artwork pieces, and providing customized pieces for residences and commercial buildings. Linda has partnered with a long-time friend (we don’t have “old” friends), Leslie Belcher, to provide unique art glass jewelry through Accessoreez,
Leslie designs beautiful glass jewelry. My favorites were those that began with sea themes and applied her creativity. I liked the symmetrical aspect of her necklaces. Which designs? Which colors? Hmmm - I guess I’ll have Leslie design a custom piece - or two - or three.
Image Creations of Florida is located at 3025 44th Avenue North in St Petersburg, where Leslie is setting up both a showcase and a workshop. Do call first - the experience is so much better if Linda and Leslie are there to walk you through the whole creative process.
Quality art, framing, cast paper, glicee art
unique art glass jewelry designs
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Water’s Edge Condo in Clearwater Offers Buyers an Out
February 22nd, 2008 categories: Real Estate News
Buyers may bail from Water’s Edge condominiums in downtown Clearwater
Speculators who bought condos at Water’s Edge in Clearwater two years ago and have been watching declining condo values now have an opportunity to get their money back, with interest.Opus South discovered a glitch or technicality in their contracts with the buyers which they feel voids the agreements according to HUD rules. The luxury condo buyers now have been given the option to get their money back, with interest, or to proceed with a new contract at a 10% discount. Our buyers did not hesitate a moment before opting to get their money back. Scheduled to be completed in July of this year, apparently 109 of the 153 condos were under contract. It will be interesting to see how many potential buyers choose each of the options.
This is yet another setback for Opus, who began closings on 400 Beach, a luxury condominium in downtown St Petersburg, in December. It’s not yet known how many of those buyers will walk away and forfeit their 20% deposits rather than close on their purchase. For owners planning to live in their condos or use them as second or third homes, the current dip in the market is not significant. For those speculators who hoped to sell the condos as soon as the bought them, it’s a case of evaluating the economics.
Mistake voids contracts on Water’s EdgeLanguage in contracts that was not specific enough voids preconstruction contracts on Water’s Edge
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