TAMPA, Fla. — Downtown Tampa continues to rank among the most desirable places to live — thanks to its skyline views, dining, arts, sports and waterfront attractions.
But developers behind a new project say cost has kept many young professionals from calling the neighborhood home.
What You Need To Know
The Residences at 801 East Whiting Street offers downtown access at a lower price, thanks to compact layouts
Located within walking distance of the Water Street district, the project features 51 long-term apartments and 53 fully furnished short-term units
Developers say one of the biggest cost burdens when moving into an apartment is furnishing it
To help eliminate that, the studio units come equipped with Ori Cloud Bed sofa systems. With the push of a button, the bed retracts into the ceiling to create additional living space during the day
That’s the problem The Residences at 801 East Whiting Street is trying to solve.
Developers Christopher Bicho of Landings Real Estate Group and Craig Bazarsky of BendinRoad Development say the building was designed specifically for renters who want downtown access without paying luxury tower prices.
“Younger people who maybe don’t have, you know, high-end incomes,” Bicho said, explaining the target demographic. Bazarsky says that includes a growing number of professionals working nearby.
“There’s the USF Medical School right around the corner. You have a lot of young people moving to Tampa who are now working in Water Street and historic downtown — you know, people 25 to 35.”
Compact Layouts, Big Functionality
Located within walking distance of the Water Street district, the project features 51 long-term apartments and 53 fully furnished short-term units.
Developers say one of the biggest cost burdens when moving into an apartment is furnishing it.
“I think, as we all know when we rent apartments, some of the friction is you’ve got to buy a bed. You have to buy a couch. Those are costs you incur when moving,” Bicho said.
The Residences at 801 East Whiting Street will host an open house on Jan. 22 at 4:30 p.m. (Spectrum News/Fadia Patterson)
To help eliminate that, the studio units come equipped with Ori Cloud Bed sofa systems. With the push of a button, the bed retracts into the ceiling to create additional living space during the day.
“It feels bigger,” Bazarsky explained. “Offering a smaller unit that’s semi-furnished and expandable, in an area where you’re a stone’s throw from Water Street, could be a big value add to renters.”
Beyond the transforming bed system, the micro-apartments feature amenities that rival larger units:
Full-size kitchens
Spacious bathrooms
Walk-in closets
In-unit washer & dryer
Balconies with sound-proof glass doors
Additional storage options
When the balcony doors open, the nearby highway is clearly audible — but once they’re closed, the building’s sound-blocking design makes the unit noticeably quiet.
The property also includes a pool and fitness center.
Each square foot is planned with flexibility in mind, something Bicho says helps keep residents cycling through downtown and businesses active.
“So we have a lot of flexibility for people to actually reside here in the building,” he said. “It could be a long-term tenant or you can be a short-term tenant, and it allows companies to actually move people in and out of the downtown area. It keeps the vibrancy of the building alive every day.”
Rents range from $1,600 to $2,200 for furnished units.
Developers hope the project proves that a smaller living space doesn’t have to mean living small — especially in one of Tampa’s most in-demand neighborhoods.
The Residences at 801 East Whiting Street will host an open house on Jan. 22 at 4:30 p.m.
Rents range from $1,600 to $2,200 for furnished units. (Spectrum News/Fadia Patterson)