ARC approves exterior overhaul for 509 South Hyde Park Avenue with conditions

The Architectural Review Commission on March 2 voted to grant a certificate of appropriateness for the proposed exterior renovation at 509 South Hyde Park Avenue, a one‑story, non‑contributing commercial building in the Hyde Park Historic District.

Ron Vila, a planner with the Historic Preservation staff, told commissioners the project is “consistent with the Hyde Park design guidelines” after reviewing the proposal and staff-level approvals. The commission’s motion to approve was made by Commissioner John Prokop and seconded by Elena Paris Ketchum; agents accepted the conditions and the motion passed.

Applicant representatives described a comprehensive exterior update that removes the deteriorated brick skin and applies a two‑tone thin‑brick system, adds aluminum composite panels and expanded storefront glazing, and repairs the roof and cupola. Architect Saul Fleischman Jr. (Garcia Masanowski Architects) said the design retains the existing footprint while aiming for a materially upgraded façade and improved entries. Project architect Derek Ray described the thin‑brick system and a bronze‑tinted storefront glazing palette and said the proposed gross signage area for the site is 22 square feet. “We are replacing all the brick,” he said, summarizing the team’s approach to façade and roof rehabilitation.

Staff and commissioners pressed for details on several items. Commissioners asked about the new main‑entry height (the applicant estimated about 22 feet), the longevity and finish of the aluminum composite material (ACM/Kynar finish), stormwater handling (the design ties roof drains into the City of Tampa storm system, not on‑site retention), and landscape species. Ron Vila noted that while the project satisfies PD‑level criteria and massing, hardscape and landscaping for commercial properties require additional attention at permitting.

The motion approving the certificate included two explicit conditions: that the applicant consider a like‑for‑like replacement policy for the two oak trees identified for removal and that the applicant coordinate with staff to provide additional publicly visible material callouts and detail sheets for entries and trims. Agents for the project accepted those conditions during the hearing.

The commission closed the matter after the vote. The applicant will finalize construction documents and work with staff to resolve the remaining material and landscape details before permits and construction proceed.