TAMPA — An affiliate of Strategic Property Partners has purchased a historic downtown building for use as its office space as it forges ahead with a massive redevelopment of the Channel District.
802 Whiting LLC acquired a 1920s-era building at 802 E. Whiting that housed a paper company and wholesale grocer before becoming the District 3 event space, its current use.
"As we prepare for construction to begin on our phase 1 projects in 2018, our office space requirements have evolved, and our staff has grown," James Nozar, CEO of SPP, said in announcing the purchase of that property and a building next door.
Nozard called the District 3 space "ideal for the collaborative work style that our staff enjoys, and with our high-quality design team onboard, we will breathe new life into this historic property."
SPP, a partnership between Cascade Investment and Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik, owns or controls more than 50 acres near the downtown Tampa waterfront. It plans a huge mixed-used project including condos, offices, retail and a hotel.
SPP also bought a building at 817 E. Washington St. that has 2,000 square feet of office space and will retain its current tenant, at least for the time being. Nozar did not disclose the purchase price, and the deeds had not been recorded as of Friday afternoon.
Limited liability companies bought both buildings in 2012 for a total of $1.65 million, records show. Together, the buildings occupy about three-fourths of an acre.
The 802 Whiting Building, built in 1921 and one of the few older structures left in the southern downtown area, has high ceilings and exposed brick walls that will be incorporated into the design of the new SPP offices.
Contact Susan Taylor Martin at smartin@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8642. Follow @susanskate