Trump Tower Tampa

Tampa fantasy deal becomes a reality!
The originator of "You're fired!" has Tampa all fired up. Donald Trump announced Monday that he has struck a partnership deal with a local development group — SimDag/RoBEL LLC — to build a 52-story, 190-unit luxury condominium building in downtown Tampa.
It is reported that the $220 million development will feature condominiums that range in price from $700,000 to more than $6 million with most units being in the $1 million to $2 million range.

Trump is well known for his many developments in New York, Chicago, Las Vegas and other large metro areas. So, how did he come to the growing-but-not-so-large Tampa?

Through The Tampa Tribune, Trump was quoted: "I know Tampa very well through a great man named George Steinbrenner, and it's been a place that I like," Trump said.

"I think, really, the thing that's exciting to me about Tampa is that it's a really great place," he continued. "I never thought, as much as I like Tampa, that I would be there this quickly."
Steinbrenner, managing general partner of the Yankees, has lived in Tampa since the 1970s.

It was reported by The St. Petersburg Times that Trump has hired the recent winner, software executive Kelly Perdew, of the popular reality TV series The Apprentice to promote the Tampa project for his new boss.

At 593 feet, Trump Tower Tampa will be the downtown's tallest building. Currently the tallest building is a 42-story office building at 579 feet. The development group has had the project in the planning stages for over a year before contacting Trump. Trump liked the concept and it is reported that he took an active role in planning the condominum tower. All parties insist that Trump's involvement is more than just a licensing deal.

How do you spell luxury? Plans call for a lobby, restaurant and retail shops on the ground floor, with parking for residents and guests occupying the next nine stories. The 10th floor will feature amenities for owners — concierge services, valet services, a party room with a catering kitchen, a spa and fitness center and an outdoor pool. The condominium units on floors 11 through 52 will overlook downtown and the bay. Public spaces are said to be planned with exotic wood finishes, imported marble floors and a fine art collection.

Trump may be ready for Tampa, but is Tampa ready for Trump? The talk around town now is who (besides a few Tampa Bay Buccaneers) can afford to buy one of these top-of-the-line condos and who of the rich-and-famous might it draw to the Tampa Bay area? It's been reported that Trump's son, Donald Trump, Jr., was one of the first people to reserve a condominium. OK... there's one sold... now there's only 189 to go.

Surprisingly, the project has drawn strong interest since its announcement, with buyers reportedly lining up at The Toni Everett Company, the Tampa-based real estate firm handling sales for Trump Tower Tampa. The Tampa Tribune reported that a project spokesperson said more than 10,000 people had visited the Internet site trumptowertampa.com and more than 300 had registered for more information.

There has been a push in Tampa over the last year to revitalize the downtown area — especially the Channelside District with several condominium projects in the planning stages. One with condominiums priced between $400,000 and $500,000 has about 85 percent of the units sold and should be ready for residents by the end of October, 2006.

The Channelside District was once a commercial ship building and repair area that has been turned into a popular retail and entertainment complex with The Florida Aqarium as an impressive anchor. The area is also where passengers board cruise liners bound for the Caribbean and Latin America