Developers plan 16 condo lofts across from Stetson University College of Law where a billiards warehouse once stood.
By JANET ZINK, Times Staff Writer
Published November 18, 2005
Last December, fire destroyed a warehouse that was part of the 75-year-old Robertson's Billiard Supplies business.
From the ashes, condominiums will rise.
"It's the old adage of lemons to lemonade," said Tom Rodgers, who with his wife, Debra, owns the venerable billiards supply company.
Rodgers and Fermin Rodriguez, who owns a lot next door, filed a request last month to rezone the land at 1616 N Franklin St. to make way for 16 condominium lofts across from the Stetson University College of Law. A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 9.
The development, called University Lofts, will also include 4,000 square feet of retail space and a first-level parking garage.
All of the 1,300-square-foot units have been reserved, he said. Each listed at $395,000.
"We didn't even advertise," said Rodgers, who is planning to buy one.
Last year's fire leveled the building where Robertson's made custom pool tables. A sales center across the street remains open.
Rather than rebuild, Rodgers decided to build condos on the parcel across the street from the university, which opened in January 2004.
"All the property in the Tampa Heights area has exploded since Stetson opened there," he said.
N Franklin Street is developing rapidly into an urban residential neighborhood. All 20 units at the Arlington, under construction at 1209 N Franklin St., have sold for $140,000 to $325,000. Workers are also raising the walls of the Residences of Franklin Street at 1108 N Franklin St. The eight-story building will have 40 condos ranging from $229,000 to $695,000.
Recently, developers announced plans for the Carriage House, a 12-unit condo project at 1007 N Franklin St., and Franklin Street City Lofts at 1220 N Franklin St., which will include four units selling for more than $800,000 apiece.
"I just came back from Europe and in Europe everybody lives in the downtown area," said Rodriguez, 78. "At night, the downtowns are booming. I think that's what's in store for Tampa, which is what it used to be like when I was a kid."
