Historic Gas Plant District
Update
11/30/22
Sugar Hill Community Partners Expands Team to Include Leading National Office Development Firm
Sugar Hill Community Partners (SHCP), a Proposer for the redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District, is pleased to announce Dallas, TX-based KDC will lead the office development strategy with support from Cushman & Wakefield’s Tampa Bay office leasing team. The Historic Gas Plant District RFP, calling for proposals to redevelop 86 acres in the heart of downtown, was released by the City of St. Petersburg in August 2022.
KDC is a leading national developer of commercial office buildings, corporate build-to-suit facilities, and mixed-use projects for companies across the country. For more than 30 years, KDC has successfully financed and developed approximately 37 million square feet valued at over $11 billion. KDC addresses the future of corporate America by developing walkable, mixed-use urban environments anchored by notable clients looking to attract and retain top talent around the country. KDC has developed corporate office projects for Toyota, JP Morgan, State Farm, Comcast, Liberty Mutual, and others.
KDC has been named NAIOP Developer of the Year in Atlanta and Dallas multiple times and Chairman and CEO, Steve Van Amburgh, received ULI’s Vision Award.
“KDC is pleased to be joining the SHCP team to develop highly anticipated office space. Employers continue to be drawn to downtown St. Pete and the employee base is already in place. Our goal is to create an office environment that enhances the growth of the community and complements the other project uses.” Larry Wilson, KDC Division President-Southeast.
Cushman & Wakefield is a global commercial real estate services firm with deep ties in the Tampa Bay area. Wendy Giffin and Barry Oaks, who are office leasing brokers out of Cushman & Wakefield’s St. Petersburg and Tampa offices, respectively, will work alongside KDC to recruit and secure office clientele and are bullish on the future of office in St. Pete.
Wendy Giffin, Senior Director at Cushman & Wakefield, noted, “Downtown St. Pete has seen incredible absorption of Class A office space over the last several years. With vacancy hovering below 5% and continued strong demand, there is a resounding need for additional office product in downtown St. Pete. The amenity-rich proposal by SHCP featuring parking, mixed uses, and recreation, coupled with the location of the site, will ensure success in not only the office developments but all components of the proposed SHCP plan.”
SHCP Development Manager and President of Machete Group, David Carlock, remarked on the partnership, “The members of our team have been specifically chosen for their expertise as well as ability to work cooperatively with multiple stakeholders to design and deliver a project that St. Petersburg citizens will be proud of. KDC has deep, national experience creating thriving office environments in mixed-use urban spaces, and we are thrilled to have them leading the office vision on the Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment.”
SHCP’s full response to the Historic Gas Plant District RFP is due by December 2, 2022.
