MELBOURNE - The city's sparse, scattered skyline is going vertical.
From Eau Gallie to historic downtown Melbourne, a new crop of high-rise condominium towers will soon reshape the city's
skyline. These structures will afford soaring views of the Indian River Lagoon, attracting high-dollar tenants willing to
fork out up to $2 million per housing unit.
Prime example: Hibiscus Riverfront Condominiums -- a $30 million residential tower up to 85 feet high -- could soon loom
above the lagoon side of U.S. 1, just north of Hibiscus Boulevard.
"It's just reflective of the overall market in general," said Dan Hicks of Washington Mutual Home Loans. "Obviously, Florida
right now is a desirable place for individuals to move to. From a lending standpoint, some of the programs that are available
right now allow people to buy at a higher mortgage amount."
Some city leaders worry, however, that the super-sized structures could disrupt Melbourne's charm and urban character.
If the Hibiscus project is approved, crews would demolish Days Inn and the neighboring Bahamas Apartments, then build the
51-unit luxury high-rise on those sites. Units would sell for $400,000 to $500,000 on up, said Phil Nohrr, attorney for the
developer, Tricon Real Estate of Merritt Island.
Initial plans called for a 68-foot Mediterranean structure. But City Councilman Mark LaRusso complained about a conceptual
drawing, saying the tower looked like "a big block of concrete blocking the river." He asked whether the developer could redesign
a narrower structure with more surrounding "breezeways" and a smaller footprint.
Tricon Real Estate will submit an alternate plan for City Hall scrutiny by April 30.
Judy Gregory and her husband, Gary, manage the Bahamas Apartments and live there. She said the condominiums will improve
the neighborhood.
"We'd like to see this area cleaned up. It's drug-infested and it's really awful," Judy Gregory said. "We like seeing old
downtown Melbourne come to life, and anything that'll help that, we support."
Elsewhere, more Melbourne high-rises are in the works.
All 71 units are sold at Harbor City Center, said general manager Bob Hynes. Site work continues on redesigning and moving
underground sewer lines.
Condo sales are brisk for Pineapple House. "At this point, I have 26 (condominiums) sold in a little less than two weeks,"
said Tim Sheehan, who owns Progressive Real Estate.
Groundwork could start in late March. Target completion date is April 2006.
In March, housing sales should start for the Esplanade Condominiums. This complex will occupy the vacant lots immediately
south of River Bluff Condominiums on the lagoon side of U.S. 1.
Construction could begin by October.
And the vacant SunTrust property on New Haven Avenue near U.S. 1 could some day house a condominium complex up to 80 feet
high, Dittmer said.
A Coral Gables developer, The Richard-Brandon Co., hopes to buy the 1.8-acre property and build an eight-story high-rise
with commercial space on the ground floor, said Cindy Dittmer, planning and economic development director. Messages seeking
comment were left with the firm.
Dittmer said the developer approached her office four to six weeks ago, requesting information on zoning and other matters.
SunTrust still owns the site, property records indicate.
David Dixon is a principal with Goody Clancy Associates, a Boston architectural firm. Though 80-foot structures are high-rises
by Brevard zoning standards, he characterized them as "mid-rise" buildings.
Dixon said downtown housing towers in Melbourne and elsewhere are key components of the nationwide "urban village" trend.
"The height of a building matters much less than what happens on the street level, or the next floor or two up," he said.
"Buildings of seven or eight stories can be great for creating a strong sense of place. If they can create enough foot traffic
to support retail, then height becomes an advantage."
As an example, he cited Miami's South Beach as an area where building design helps promote lively pedestrian activity.
Whether high-rises or mid-rises, Melbourne's tower trend is commanding attention in City Hall. Two weeks ago, Vice Mayor
Richard Contreras proposed that city planners draft recommendations for building height, aesthetics, setbacks and other zoning
issues along the lagoon side of Melbourne's U.S. 1 corridor.
However, Councilwoman Cheryl Palmer disagreed, arguing that City Council should scrutinize condominium towers on a case-by-case
basis.
Contreras' proposal was defeated by a 4-3 vote. Palmer, Mayor Harry Goode, Grace Walker and Loretta Isenberg-Hand voted
"no," while Contreras, LaRusso and Kathy Meehan voted "yes."
Thomas Goffinet is a member of the Melbourne downtown redevelopment agency advisory committee -- and lofty, imposing towers
concern him.
"Right now, downtown Melbourne is a collection of one- and two-story buildings. I'm just wondering what would happen if
there were eight- and 10-story condominiums put in here," Goffinet said.
"Isn't that a big jump? And wouldn't that change the character of the downtown? I don't think it's what people think a
historic downtown area would be."
