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A bit of Boston comes to Carillon

Back Bay at Carillon takes its architecture from the brownstones of Beantown's Back Bay section.

By SHARON L. BOND
Published February 19, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - A townhome project just beginning in Carillon at the north end of the city already has sold half of its 60 units.

Echelon Development is building Back Bay at Carillon and says the location and style reminiscent of Boston's Back Bay are the drawing points.

"We are getting a lot of younger professionals from north (Pinellas) County and Hillsborough," said Tom Mucario, senior sales associate for residential properties at Echelon.

Carillon is almost equidistant from St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa. It is a short ride from Tampa International Airport.

Mucario said people who left St. Petersburg when housing prices started rising several years ago are some of the buyers, moving back to be closer to jobs.

The townhomes will "look like brownstones. That is a very new look for Florida instead of pastels and pinks and peaches," Mucario said.

Prices ranged from $599,000 to $855,000. The units are sized from 2,973 square feet to 3,781 square feet. Lower-priced units already are sold. Of those that remain, prices range from $740,000 to $855,000.

Back Bay at Carillon is located at 300 Carillon Parkway in the office park where more and more residential units are being added.

Carillon office park has been under development for two decades. It has some 30 businesses operating there and recently added several restaurants, a Publix grocery store, a sports bar and several banks. St. Anthony's Hospital built a wellness center, and a Hilton hotel is nearing completion.

These form a town center for Carillon.

A much larger one initially was planned, including much more retail space and a large theater. Developers scaled back the timing of the center, saying it would be built in sections rather than all at once. They also eliminated some of the retail, such as the theater.

Residential units in the park include rental apartments, townhomes and luxury condominiums.

The townhomes at Back Bay are two- and three-bedroom units. Three-bedroom units face the small man-made lake and have elevators. It is a gated community. Other amenities include private courtyards, porches and balconies.

[Last modified February 19, 2006, 01:08:19]