The Bluffs is a 400-unit apartment complex located on the edge of Coachman Park in Clearwater. This apartment took over the old city hall and in 2022 voters approved the project. On April 6, Gotham Organization and The DeNunzio Group held a groundbreaking event.
"We're excited because it is apartments, this means activation year round, that you don't necessarily get with condos. This way it is guaranteed and we wanted the year-round activation," said Clearwater's City Manager Jennifer Poirrier.
Poirrier is looking forward to having more full-time residents in the area to help boost the economy.
"This is more than a groundbreaking of a construction project, its further proof of our urban renaissance thats occurring here in Clearwater. We could not be more excited about seeing the proof of the investment," Poirrier said.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, President of the DeNunzio Group, Dustin DeNunzio highlighted the success of the partnership between the project and the City of Clearwater.
The Bluffs is the result of a proposal to redevelop two premier sites next to the completed $84 million Coachman Park through the public and private partnership with the City of Clearwater, according to a press release.
"Together we're helping create a mixed-use destination that feels authentic to Clearwater," DeNunzio said.
The press release said the project received $160 million construction financing package, including $115 million from Wells Fargo and $45 million from Schroders Capital and Lionheart Strategic Management.
"The future is limitless in Clearwater Downtown, because of what's going on with The Bluffs," Said mayor Bruce Rector. "The Bluffs will be that big beacon of the world of the shining city of Clearwater."
The 630,000-square-foot mixed-used development will not only have apartment rentals, but the press release said there will be more than 10,000 square feet of retail space and 440 parking spaces.
A resident who attended the groundbreaking event said he lives in the apartment complex next to the construction site of The Bluffs, and plans to move there when it opens.
The Bluffs is expected to open June 2028.