ARC approves façade renovation for 800 S. Village Circle in Hyde Park Village

The City of Tampa Architectural Review Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness for a façade renovation at 800 South Village Circle (Block F) in Hyde Park Village after hearing a detailed presentation from the property owner and design team.

WS Development project director Amanda Chisholm and architects from REP presented the proposal to replace and reconfigure the building’s exterior materials and storefronts while keeping the existing footprint and roof lines. Staff found the December 17, 2024 submittal consistent with the Hyde Park design guidelines and recommended approval with minor conditions.

The renovation covers three primary facades and emphasizes authentic materials: a warm gray Norman‑size brick on the northern façade, limestone and granite bases at pedestrian level, smooth stucco and a Venetian‑style plaster at the tower feature, dark‑finished thermally broken storefront windows with applied muntins, and canvas awnings and window planters at second‑story windows. The team proposed ornamental wrought‑iron railings above certain retail bays, recessed storefronts infilled to create flush storefront openings, and new soft exterior lighting to highlight material texture rather than tenant signage.

Amanda Chisholm said the work is intended to “strengthen the building’s architectural connection to the neighborhood and the historic nature of both the village and the district,” and WS Development noted the project keeps the current building footprint and roof massing while replacing dated finishes. The applicant also removed a previously proposed garage door and said the loading/operations plan will rely on the existing organized loading areas serving the village.

Staff and commissioners discussed construction staging, potential impacts on circulation and deliveries, and a letter of opposition that had been entered into the record. Staff noted the letter was operational in nature; WS Development representatives said they had met with neighborhood representatives and would continue outreach and coordinate logistics and phasing with the general contractor to limit disruption. The applicant noted tenant‑fit‑out work will be delivered as building shells; tenants will complete interior fit‑out and provide required restrooms and other code‑required facilities under separate permits.

Commissioners asked for clarification about exterior details the board will not generally see at the certificate stage (for example, specific fence or site remediation items) and asked that final lighting locations and in‑ground fixtures be called out on the final drawings. Staff confirmed the project is a non‑contributing building (built 2000) within the local district but that the proposed materials and details meet the design guidelines for compatibility and hierarchy of facades.

The commission moved to grant a certificate of appropriateness for ARC‑25‑000054 for 800 S. Village Circle, finding the project “consistent with the Hyde Park design guidelines” and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards where applicable. The motion passed without recorded opposition. Conditions identified in the record included finalizing lighting fixture locations and coordinating construction staging and logistics with staff and the property management team. The applicant agreed to continue neighborhood outreach and to incorporate staff comments into the final construction documents.

The renovation will proceed to permitting and tenant fit‑outs; the commission’s approval applies to exterior materials, proportions and details shown in the approved drawings, subject to the conditions recorded in the motion.