The partnership that developed AER Apartments in downtown Tampa, Florida, had to update several elements of the city's existing infrastructure to make way for the new apartment tower.
In fact, the team of residential development firm American Land Ventures and Gazit Horizons, a real estate company, said it worked extensively with the city of Tampa, the Friends of the John F. Germany Library and the Straz Center of the Performing Arts to "reconfigure the city-owned pedestrian bridge that crossed Cass Street, realign the North Macinnes Place roadway and to demolish a 1976 library annex building" to accommodate the new structure.
Once the American Land-Gazit team overcame that litany of physical obstacles, it started construction in 2022 and held an opening party with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the apartment tower in November. AER Apartments in Tampa was selected for the 2025 CoStar Impact Award for Multifamily Development of the Year in Tampa/St. Petersburg as judged by a panel of real estate professionals familiar with the market.
AER Apartments rises high above adjacent buildings in the burgeoning River Arts District. “As the Arts & Entertainment District continues to flourish, residents will find themselves at the heart of it all, surrounded by culture, art, design, fine dining, and the city’s most sought-after experiences," Gazit CEO Zvi Gordon said in a statement.
About the project: The first residents began moving into the 31-story waterfront complex in July. Apartments ranging from 740 to 1,636 square feet are available in one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts and penthouses. The pet-friendly complex is located close to the Riverwalk and a dog park and has a large coworking lounge with rentable private executive offices and storage for bicycles. The building is home to what the developers said is Tampa’s largest pool deck, complete with cabanas and grills.
What the judges said: "AER Apartments stands as a testament to bold urban redevelopment, overcoming substantial infrastructure and planning challenges to become Tampa Bay’s most transformative multifamily development of 2024," said Quinn Eddins, managing director of U.S. research and analytics for Greystar Real Estate Partners.
Lisa Ross, a managing director at Cushman & Wakefield, said, AER Apartments' "downtown location nestled between the Museum of Art and Straz Center brings together our art and business districts for a true luxury residential experience."
And Julia Silva, president of Lee & Associates | Tampa Bay, said, "Having resided in a high-rise in downtown Tampa for the past three years, I selected AER Apartments as Multifamily Development of the Year for the CoStar Awards because of its prime location, modern design and exceptional impact on the urban landscape—truly setting a new standard for luxury living in the heart of the city."
UPDATED They made it happen: Chaim Katzman, chairman, G City; Zvi Gordon, CEO, Gazit Horizons; Adam D'Anna, asset management senior associate, Gazit Horizons; Granvil Tracy, president, American Land Ventures; David Fellows, vice president of construction, American Land Ventures; Rachel Cardello, vice president of project management, American Land Ventures; Adam Dazkal, development associate, American Land Ventures; Tammy Britton, regional director of property management, American Land Ventures; Sean DeMartino, president of the Central and North Florida Division of Coastal Construction and Jessica Santa, property manager, American Land Ventures ; and Jon Cardello, partner at architecture firm Cube 3.