The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved building permits for 1242 Channelside Drive, a mixed-use development planned by Stamford, Connecticut-based Post Road Group in collaboration with VeLa Development Partners in Tampa’s Channel District. The FAA has authorized the project to reach 390 feet above ground, or 403 feet above mean sea level. The permit application was submitted on October 2 and received approval on November 21. Brandon Masiello of Kimley-Horn and Associates, LLC is listed as the sponsor, and Benjamin Doyle of Capitol Airspace Group is listed as the sponsor’s representative. The developers will retain the permits until May 21, 2025.
The 1.5-acre site, positioned at the northern end of the Channel District and adjacent to the 50-acre Gas Worx project—a joint venture between Tampa developer Darryl Shaw and Washington D.C.-based real estate firm Kettler—encompasses three contiguous parcels. The site is at 1242 Channelside Drive, 635, and 639 North 12th Street, just south of the Selmon Expressway. The developers acquired this land for $18.15 million earlier in the year. The development is known as VeLa Channelside, a name consistent with the branding and moniker used by VeLa Development Partners for several of their other projects.
Streetview of 1242 Channelside Drive. Photo from Google Maps.
Below are images of two out of eight permit approvals for the project, which the FAA has determined will not significantly affect the safe and efficient use of navigable airspace by aircraft or the operation of air navigation facilities.
FAA building permit approval for 1242 Channelside Drive. (Point 1)
FAA building permit approval for 1242 Channelside Drive. (Point 8)
The developers’ initial plans for the project, as reported by Tampa Tomorrow in May 2022, include constructing two towers of 17 and 27 stories, which are expected to house a total of 532 residential units, with approximately 10% designated as affordable housing. The project also proposes 8,000 square feet of retail/commercial space on the ground floor to enhance the area’s walkability score. However, VeLa Development Partners’ website mentions a taller 32-story tower, leading to speculation about a potential increase in floor count for the taller tower. It’s important to note that this remains speculative and does not confirm any definitive changes to the original plan. This speculated taller structure would align more closely with the FAA’s building permit approval for a 390-foot structure.
Credit: VeLa Development Partners.
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