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ANGIE GREENThe Villa Del Mar will start selling its 24 units Saturday. Completion is expected in 2004.
CLEARWATER - Construction is expected to begin within a few weeks on a $15-million luxury waterfront condominium on N Fort Harrison Avenue, just east of Venetian Point Drive.
The Villa Del Mar, a Spanish-Mediterranean revival style building, will start selling its 24 units Saturday. The project is predicted to be completed in late summer of 2004.
Both the Clearwater developer and city planners hope the project will spur more new construction in the area.
The pale yellow, white trimmed, five-story condo complex will feature two- and three-bedroom units, with 2 1/2 baths. Prices range from $550,000 to $740,000.
The L-shaped building will face the entry to the Venetian Point Yacht Basin to the west and the Clearwater Harbor to the north.
It will sit just feet off the Intracoastal Waterway, just south of Sunset Point Road with Church of Scientology staff housing at its back.
"The building fits like a glove on the site," said Robert Szasz, one of the project developers.
While plans were approved by the city for the complex last March, a city building permit must be obtained before construction can begin.
Szasz said he submitted a building permit request in late April and is now working with the city to meet site requirements.
"I'm expecting to give back the final revisions (of the building plans) to the city this week," he said. "By the end of July, I hope to have equipment on site to go to work."
City building official Kevin Garriott confirmed the city's need for final revisions from the complex's architect and engineer.
"If they have everything answered, they are ready to go."
The complex, once the site of Aloha Motel, will have a small fishing pier on the water and possibly 13 boat docks. Thirty-foot-wide condo terraces will also face the water.
Each 2,400-square-foot unit will have a private lobby leading off the elevator and private parking for two cars.
Unit floor plans and renderings will be shown to buyers from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the site at 1860 N Fort Harrison Ave.
Szasz said his development company, Del Mar Development LLC, expects a brisk business.
For about three weeks, Szasz said, "the phone has been ringing off the hook. People are stopping by, asking when we are going to get started."
- Angie Green can be reached at 727 445-4224 or agreen@sptimes.com