Former Tampa Bay Times printing plant to be redeveloped with apartments and townhomes in North Kenwood

The former Tampa Bay Times printing plant, located at 1301 34th Street North, was sold in 2021 for $21 million | Google Maps

A major redevelopment is coming to North Kenwood, where the former Tampa Bay Times printing plant once buzzed with activity for over 60 years.

Dallas-based real estate firm Crow Holdings, founded in 1948 by legendary developer Trammell Crow, has filed plans to build a 392-unit garden-style apartment complex at 1301 34th Street North just south of Sam’s Club.

The plans, submitted on Monday to the Southwest Florida Water Management District, call for six four-story apartment buildings, a clubhouse, and 577 surface parking spaces.

The property went under contract on July 1st, according to CoStar.

Since all three parcels are zoned Industrial Suburban (IS), residential development would only be allowed through the Live Local Act or Section 17.5 of St. Petersburg’s land development regulations. Both options require that at least 40% of the residential units be set aside as affordable housing for households earning up to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

The 27-acre property is located in North Kenwood just south of Sam’s Club | Google Maps

After the Times outsourced its printing to Lakeland in 2021, the 27-acre property was sold for $21 million to Twenty Lake Holdings, a real estate investment arm of hedge fund Alden Global Capital.

The property was transferred to Taconic Asset Trust, an entity tied to Twenty Lake, in 2022.

While the apartment buildings will take up the western half of the property, a second phase planned for the east side will bring 109 townhomes, along with a dog park and pool.

It’s unclear whether the townhomes are part of the Alexan 34th North apartment community or a separate development entirely.

Altamonte Springs-based Forum Architecture and Interior Design has been hired as the project’s architect, while Kimley-Horn will serve as the civil engineer and landscape architect.

Crow Holdings has proposed a 392-unit garden-style apartment community on the west side of the property and a 109-unit townhome development on the east side | Kimley Horn

Alexan 34th North will join several other Alexan-branded communities across Florida, including in Orlando, Miami, and Wesley Chapel. The Alexan name represents Crow Holdings’ market-rate apartment line, while its Allora brand is focused on workforce housing.

This isn’t the company’s first attempt to enter the St. Pete market. In 2021, it proposed a $105 million, 267-unit apartment building at 17th Street and Central Avenue.

The plan involved demolishing several buildings occupied by local businesses like The Burg Bar & Grill, Lolita’s Wine Market, Dirty Laundry, and Avid Brewing Company, angering many in the community.  The project was ultimately shelved.

Crow Holdings declined to comment on Alexan 34th North.