Channelside Lofts

The Channelside Lofts (Channelside 212) is a collection of 28 residential lofts completed in 2004, located in the heart of the Channelside District, In Downtown Tampa.

These lofts vary in size approx (1100-2200 sq.ft) and floorplans/elevations. They all 20′ double-height living areas and windows, exposed ductwork and assigned/gated parking.

The lofts were created from a warehouse that was constructed in the 1960s in a working industrial neighborhood of the Channelside District. The vision behind the Channelside Lofts originated from Marica McKeel, formally RBK Architects of Tampa, and Adama Development.

McKeel, now the owner of MM Architects in New York City had the opportunity to develop the two warehouses on 12th street block in between Washington and Kennedy Blvd. Since her first project at the Channelside Lofts, McKeel’s work has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, HGTV, and other famous publications

“When I first got out of school I didn’t think I wanted to do residential architecture at all. I thought I wanted to build bridges or sports complexes… I got a job working for a well-respected architecture firm in Tampa and began working on anything I could get my hands on. Some were very fun, and some a little less so… like working with a client on a gas station project and trying my best to be creative with it.

One day that client brought up the idea of doing a project that was “a little more exciting” and asked if I had any ideas. I said something to the effect of “Not sure it’s anything you’d be interested in, but I think those old warehouses in the Channel District would make great lofts!” And so that’s what we did.”

I had seen it in NY…I had seen it in Atlanta… and I thought Tampa was ready for it. Luckily a lot of people agreed. The best part was when the bank said to us, “Do you really think people will want to live down there??” And we answered, “Well, we’ve got contracts for 16 out of 18 lofts already…so yes, we do!”

– McKeel On Her First Project

In 2003-2004 the Channelside Lofts became one of the first projects to bring residents into the Central Business District with the goal to change the urban landscape to a mixed-use community where people could both work and play. This was one of the first projects to bring residential housing to downtown Tampa.

According to McKeel:

“The urban lifestyle is needed in Tampa. People are beginning to welcome the thought of living comfortably within the city.”