‘Significant revisions’ unveiled for Waldorf Astoria project

The development group planning to bring a Waldorf Astoria-branded condominium tower to downtown St. Petersburg has dramatically redesigned what would become the city’s tallest building.

According to documents obtained by the Catalyst, New York-based SLCE Architects will no longer design the Waldorf Astoria Residences St. Petersburg. CUBE 3 Studio, headquartered in Miami, will now fill that role.

Katie Cole, a prominent local land use attorney with Hill Ward Henderson, informed St. Petersburg’s Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA) of the changes in an Aug. 30 letter. Her notice came 18 days after submitting initial plans to the city’s Development Review Commission (DRC).

“That application was filed,” Cole wrote. “However, significant revisions have been made to the architectural design of the proposed new structure. Therefore, in connection with the submittal of those revised plans on Sept. 9, we are providing you with this advance notice and information.”

If approved, the Waldorf Astoria Residences St. Petersburg would become the city’s tallest building.

Cole represents a joint venture between Miami-based Property Markets Group, St. Petersburg’s Feldman Equities, publicly traded City Office REIT and Tower Realty Partners. The latter three firms own the City Center office building.

If approved by the DRC and city council, the mixed-use development would replace City Center’s parking garage. Cole wrote that the luxury condominium tower would soar 540 feet above 150 2^nd Ave. S., a six-foot increase over the initial plans.

The Federal Aviation Administration must also sign off on the proposed height due to the project’s proximity to Albert Whitted Airport. The Residences at 400 Central will become the city’s tallest tower at 515 feet when construction concludes in 2025.

The neighboring Saltaire condominiums rise 408 feet above sea level. Swimmers in the Waldorf’s penthouse pools will likely overlook the adjacent building.

A pool on the luxury tower’s amenity deck would surround the perimeter.

New renderings highlight two rooftop pools on the tower’s upper floors. The development group will likely reserve those for penthouse owners.

A spokesperson for the joint venture declined to provide any additional comments or information. A previously prepared statement noted an “overwhelmingly positive” response from potential buyers, “reflecting the strong demand for high-end, branded residences in our vibrant downtown, as well as the demand for more Class A office space.”

“This development will not only redefine the city’s skyline but also contribute significantly to its growing reputation as a world-class destination,” the developers wrote. “We are grateful to work alongside the city and proud to be a part of its continuing transformation.”

While the renderings show striking design changes, most functional aspects remain the same or slightly altered. Cole wrote that the city’s first luxury-branded tower would include 164 residential units rather than 166.

The project would also feature 11,000 square feet of retail space, a 641-foot increase. However, the developers will significantly bolster the project’s Class A office space.

Floors 14 through 16 will now provide 86,000 square feet for offices overlooking the downtown waterfront, a 13,000-square-foot spike over initial plans. The 17^th story will offer an amenity deck with a pool circling the building’s perimeter.

The “pedestrian-friendly” tower’s two-story base will feature expansive lobbies. Floors 3 through 13 will provide parking spaces for 780 vehicles and 186 bicycles.

The development group has significantly increased the building’s proposed Class A office space.

The 19^th through 49^th floors will house residential units and extend over the pool deck. Developers previously committed to a restrictive covenant that prevents redevelopment at City Center from exceeding 12 stories.

The DRC must first approve the site plan and associated density bonuses. Downtown Center-1 zoning allows a base 3.0 floor-area ratio (FAR).

The joint venture previously requested a 5.85 FAR. That is now up to 6.94.

In addition, those numbers could still evolve. “There may be minor changes to the site plan before resubmittal on Sept. 9,” Cole wrote. “We will provide you a copy of the final package once submitted.”