Tampa-based real estate development firm Strategic Property Partners (SPP) announced the recent topping out of 1050 Water Street, the largest and final building in the first phase of the multibillion-dollar Water Street Tampa mixed-use project currently taking shape in downtown Tampa. The 22-story, 495,000-sq-ft building—the development’s largest residential component in the district—will include 490 rental residences. In conjunction with the milestone, officials with SPP noted that the project’s first phase should be completed by the end of 2021, with the second phase commencing immediately after in 2022. “We are one step closer to achieving the goals we set for this development since Day 1: creating a well-rounded and people-centric urban neighborhood,” says Charlie Rollins, executive vice president of development and construction. “We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone and continue significant construction progress throughout the next year as we watch the first phase of this historic project come to life.”  Josh Christensen, general manager with Suffolk, the contractor building 1050 Water Street, noted: “The topping off marks a significant step for the team, and we are now focused on finishing the building’s unique facade and interior work.” The project, which will also feature 32,000 sq ft of ground-floor retail space, is scheduled for completion in early 2022.

Brasfield & Gorrie and Hughes Development Corp. recently celebrated the groundbreaking for WestLawn at BullStreet in Columbia, S.C. The five-story office building in the heart of Columbia's BullStreet District will use cross-laminated timber, making it the city's first mass-timber office building and the largest office building of its kind in the state. Pictured are Brasfield & Gorrie's Ben Barfield, Parker Lowrance, Gavin Axson, Steven Barber, Jeff White and Cody Blair.

Miami developer Melo Group has launched construction of Downtown 1st, the firm’s latest transit-oriented development in Miami’s Central Business District. The 57-story tower, located at 22 SW 1st Street, will include 560 rental apartments with 10,000 sq ft of office space and 3,000 sq ft of ground-floor retail space. The tower, currently under construction, is scheduled for completion in 2022, according to the developer. This latest project marks Melo Group’s second residential development in Miami’s Central Business District, following the firm’s twin 52-story Downtown 5th towers, which together comprise 1,042 rental units. The developer is also planning to launch a third multifamily development in the area, to be called Downtown 6th, which will include up to 800 rental units. “We’re bullish on Downtown Miami’s Central Business District,” said Carlos Melo, co-principal. “Our firm’s guiding principle has always been to build for what the market demands. And now more than ever, we’re seeing people in need of good quality, attainably priced housing in convenient, walkable, urban locations close to their jobs and free public transit.” Martin Melo, co-principal, added: “Although there are plenty of new residential towers on the rise across Miami, there are actually very few moderately priced options. Our buildings … will help fill that void.”

Terra and Grass River Property, two Miami development firms, recently broke ground on Grove Central, a mixed-use, multimodal project located at U.S. Highway 1 and SW 27th Avenue. The development includes a 23-story, 402-unit residential tower, a 1,250-space public parking garage and approximately 170,000 sq ft of retail. The project is located adjacent to a Metrorail station and will provide direct access to the local bus system and trolley network. A tree-lined public plaza will connect the project to the Underline, a 13-mile linear park. “Terra is focused on advancing a sustainable and resilient development model that combines residential density, a balanced mix of commercial uses and access to multimodal transit options,” said Terra CEO David Martin. Developers expect to complete delivery of the project in 2023.