Why Harbour Island complex is developer's fanciest apartment project yet

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You’ll find a little bit of France on Harbour Island when a new, high-end apartment complex opens next year.

The 21-story building at 402 Knights Run Ave. will have a distinct look, according to Arturo Peña, VP of Development for the Related Group, the developer of the project. Related has built and managed more than 80,000 condominium and apartment residences around the globe since its inception in 1979.

“It definitely has iconic architecture, like a Parisian style,” Peña says, adding that the architect for the project is Atlanta-based Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart.

“When one walks in, there’s going to be a piano playing music all the time, so kind of that French style combined with the latest technology,” Peña explains.

Elevators will be access-controlled, for example, and residents will be alerted electronically if they have a package.

“It’s our fanciest apartment project yet,” Peña says.

Other amenities include a clubhouse that overlooks a large pool with cabanas, a gazebo and fire pit.

“Because we’re using an existing parking garage, we were able to maximize the site,” Peña says.

Residents will use a parking garage at an adjacent office building, which has been a point of contention between the developer and some Harbour Islanders. Opponents say the city of Tampa miscalculated the number or parking spaces available for the project, while the city maintains the project meets Tampa’s requirements.

Construction on the project began in February, and although the complex hasn’t officially been named, Peña says he expects to have a moniker by the end of 2016. Leasing should begin about a year from now.

“We will commence occupancy around next August [2016], and it will be completed around next October 2017,” Peña says.

The complex will have 340 units with an average size around 1,100 square feet. The average price renters will pay is $3,000 a month.

“We think the demographic at Harbour Island is a little older, a little more established,” Peña says.

He says he expects residents will be empty nesters or affluent professionals, like doctors from Tampa General Hospital or attorneys who work downtown.

Although Peña declines to disclose Related’s total investment in the complex, he says the Miami-based company chose to take on the project, and a few others in Tampa, because it is impressed with the city’s effort to be a “24/7 live, work, play” community.

He points to Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s commitment to growth and professional development, as well as Tampa Bay Lightning Owner Jeff Vinik’s $1 billion investment in the Channel District as examples.

“We really like what Tampa’s doing,” Peña says. “… We want to be part of it.”