NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — People Places LLC plans to break ground on its new residential project, The Central, on January 28.
The 85 luxury apartment complex will be built at the intersection of Circle Boulevard and Central Avenue, just across from Orange Lake.
- $7.3 million Phase 1 will involve construction of 42 apartments
- Each building will be 3 stories tall, hold 6 units
- Work on Phase 1 expected to wrap up in early 2020
- More Pasco County stories
“We’ve designed the project to be an integral part of the neighborhood, not an apartment complex that is walled off or separated from the neighborhood,” said People Places President Frank Starkey.
The $7.3 million phase one of the project will involve the construction of 42 apartments. Each building will be three stories tall and hold six units.
While Starkey said the price range is fluid at this point, one bedroom apartments will start in the $1,050 range, while two bedroom units will begin around $1,250. He said a 2015 market study showed demand exists for 500 residences in the downtown area.
“There’s a big trend in demand for downtown living in authentic, real, pre-war, urban areas," Starkey said. "There are people who want to live in a big, bustling downtown like downtown Tampa or downtown St. Petersburg, and people who want some of those aspects but want a little bit quieter place, and that would be downtown New Port Richey."
Responding to demand
The Central will be the second major residential project taking place downtown. Work also continues on the long in the works Main Street Landing mixed use development at the intersection of Main Street and River Road.
Managing Partner Ken McGurn said progress has been held up by a shortage of construction workers. At one point, tenants were expected to be able to move in by the beginning of this year.
McGurn said that’s been pushed to June, at the earliest. Still, he said businesses that could set up shop in the development’s commercial spaces, including a magic store, brewery, and companies looking for office space, have recently toured the property.
McGurn also expected model apartments to be open by next month for potential residents to view.
“Everybody in construction is facing challenges with delivery dates. There’s always a chance that things get delayed, but that’s the reality of construction,” said Starkey.
Part of a trend
When asked if he was concerned about such delays affecting The Central, Starkey said, “I have a concern about that as an overall trend that we, as a society, have not been sending people into the construction trades at the rate that we need to.”
The Central would be just the latest newcomer to downtown New Port Richey. The past year has seen businesses Ordinance One, Cotee River Brewing Company, and Wright’s Natural Market move to Main Street.
A developer has also signed on to renovate and run the Hacienda Hotel, where work is also ongoing.
“I think The Central is going to be a big contributor to the renaissance of downtown New Port Richey,” Starkey said. “It’s going to add that many more feet on the streets to support the downtown businesses and overall life and vibrancy of the community.”
Work on phase one is expected to wrap up late this year or in early 2020. The surrounding area will also see improvements. Sidewalks will be widened along Central Avenue, which will also see new trees along the street and a tree-lined median.