Twin tower, 14-story, 48-unit condo development proposed near Pensacola waterfront
A new twin-tower condo development may become the latest addition to change the Pensacola skyline.
Bayview Condominiums is a 14-story, 48-unit condo development proposed for 920 E. Gregory St. near the landing of the Gen. Daniel "Chappie" James Jr. Bridge.
Architect Philip Partington with SMP Architecture is seeking the feedback of the Pensacola Planning Board on an early conceptual idea for the project at its meeting Tuesday.
"At this time, the applicants are only asking for the board’s feedback regarding the overall design, massing, and siting of the project and its features," a memo to the Planning Board states.
Andala Enterprises Inc. owns the property, but the property was listed for sale on the commercial real estate market last year. Public property listings show a sale was pending on the property for $2.9 million as of April 2023.
The Planning Board would have to approve the final design of the project if one is submitted because of the property's location in the city's Gateway Redevelopment District, but the request Tuesday is only for feedback on the concept.
The planned development is next door to Bagelheads. It will cover four lots, including the original location of Xiscali Mexican Restaurant, which relocated in 2018, and its 48 residential units will range from 1,240 square feet to 2,350 square feet.
The two towers will be bridged at the second floor with an outdoor common area that includes a pool.
The two towers will each rise 142 feet in the air, but the first four stories will be a parking garage. The height limit for the area is 100 feet, but the city code defines building height as beginning at the first habitable floor.
Measured from the first habitable floor, which will be the fifth floor, the proposed building is exactly 100 feet, according to the plans submitted to the city.
City staff notes provided to the planning board said the planning department does not conduct a review for compliance with the design guidelines of the Gateway Redevelopment District until a final review application is submitted.
However, some staff comments indicate there may be issues with the long abandoned portion of 15th Avenue that crosses the property.
While the city abandoned that portion of 15th Avenue decades ago, active utilities remain under the former street.
The old section of 15th Avenue is currently a parking lot but runs through the proposed center to the proposed development.
The surveyor's office said some issues remain "unresolved" about sub-surface utilities under the old part of 15th Avenue and a storm drain pipeline built outside the boundaries of the old 15th Avenue.
ECUA said no permanent structures can be placed over its easement through the property that is part of the old 15th Avenue, and ECUA facilities will need to be accessible at all times.
The Planning Board meeting begins at 2 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Twin tower Bayview Condominiums proposed near Pensacola waterfront
