U.S. Assets Group News
Beautiful Sky
10/05/2003
Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL)
October 5, 2003
Section: SUNDAY REAL ESTATE
Page: I1
DOROTHY STOCKBRIDGE-PRATT dorothy.pratt@heraldtribune.com
Buyers and prospective buyers no longer have to depend on drawings or a ride up the buck hoist to see the new Beau Ciel ("beautiful sky" in French) and its views. The 17-story contemporary tower is virtually complete. Buyers are closing their contracts and making plans to move in as early as Thanksgiving. Interior designer Anne Folsom Smith, ASID, will have a model ready for viewing in November, even though only six of the 44 condominiums are still available. "We could have done more units, but then everyone would not have had views both of the bay and the marina," said Jay Tallman, partner with Thomas Brown in U.S. Assets Group. Their partners in Beau Ciel LLLP are Charles and Kim Githler, Daniel and Stanley Kane and Marianne Siegal. A modern building was always the plan, to compliment the next-door Hyatt Sarasota and Condominium on the Bay (888 and 988 Boulevard of the Arts), as well as G.Wiz and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Lead architect Chuck Jones, partner with Curts Gaines Hall Architects Planners of Tampa, rotated the tower from the entry and plaza levels to maximize views. "The massing is an interplay of three cylinders, which collide and erode with straight segments and are anchored with the rectangular stair towers," Jones told a group of local architects who toured the building recently. The contemporary architecture attracted buyers, including Bonnie and Jeff Lawenda. "The architecture was inspired. It was refreshing to see something different. It works beautifully in that exciting downtown location with those incredible views," Jeff Lawenda said. "The timing also was important. We'll be moving in before Thanksgiving." The competition Beau Ciel competed for downtown buyers against The Tower Residences at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, which was completed in June. The Tower Residences still has 14 of its 80 developer units available, priced from $1.6 million to $2.8 million through Michael Saunders and Company, plus some resales. Its connecting corridor to the new Members Spa Club at The Ritz-Carlton is almost complete. Tower residents have their own amenities, as well as the use of those of the hotel. Pamela Hughes Interiors earned praise for the Towers' warm residential interpretation of the hotel's elegance, also by Hughes. 'Through views' Tallman says his buyers preferred a smaller building and the "through views" of both bay to the northwest and the city skyline and yacht basin to the southeast. "It's fun seeing people go into the residences now. Their eyes light up when they see the views," Tallman said. Saunders opened the Beau Ciel sales effort, but the developers put together their own sales team because other projects coming online made it feasible. Tallman expects Orchid Beach Club, on south Lido, to begin construction in November. Some 38 of 54 residences there are sold. Founders Club, a golf-course community on 710 acres east of Interstate 75, is almost ready to begin site work after four years of planning, Tallman said. Robert Trent Jones Jr. is designing a core golf course to be surrounded by 262 single-family home sites. Tallman expects homes to cost from $750,000, including sites of 80 by 200 feet to 160 by 200 feet. At Beau Ciel, the interior is a "high-style" design by Image Design of Atlanta. "We wanted it modern but warm and welcoming, not stark or hard-edged. Art is a key element," Tallman said. A new bronze and cast-glass sculpture, by nationally known artist Howard Ben Tre, will be the centerpiece of Beau Ciel's dramatic, two-story lobby with domed ceiling. The sculpture won't arrive until December, but the lobby already has an 11- by 17-foot piece by Brian Miller of Sarasota. Its six square panels are acrylic over wood with an epoxy resin finish that makes it look like stained glass. Hodgell Gallery is providing about 40 pieces of original art. Among them is Linda Howard's 16-foot, brushed-aluminum, curving and slatted sculpture between the Hyatt Sarasota and Beau Ciel. Some of the other artists include Vicky Randall, Judy Axe, Joe Kephart and Jonas Gerard. Pale maple paneling adds to the warmth. A circular staircase leads from the lobby up to the Plaza Club amenities. These include the club room and bar overlooking the yacht harbor. The adjoining 16-seat theater can become party space, if needed. The private dining room/board room looks out on the pool deck and harbor. There's a catering kitchen, card room and conference room with computer and fax. Bay views can brighten workouts in the fitness club, which has a terrace. The concierge can schedule massages or a personal trainer. Locker rooms include saunas. Besides their own pool, residents have a private gate to the new Hyatt Sarasota lagoon pool with its with rocky waterfall. The pool and the Hyatt parking garage are part of $3 million in Hyatt improvements for which Beau Ciel paid. The available units are priced from $1,054,000, for 2,335 square feet on the seventh floor, to $1.86 million, for 3,400 feet on the 15th floor. The model is expected to be slightly more than $2 million for 3,100 feet on the 15th floor. Residents will have 24-hour concierge, security and valet service. Cars can go directly to the garage or up to the porte cochere drop-off at the lobby. High-speed elevators open into each residence. Ceilings are more than nine feet with some tray ceilings, crown moldings, custom baseboards and casings. Tiled terraces have see-through glass railings. Residences have central hot water systems, zoned high-efficiency air conditioning, digital programmable thermostats, recessed lighting, pre-wiring for sound systems, structured wiring and high-speed cabling to all TV outlets and CAT 5 cable. Kitchens have premium appliances, granite counters with 4-inch back splash, under-mounted sinks and European-style custom cabinets. The master baths feature whirlpool tub with marble surround, marble vanities and deluxe fixtures. The penthouses will have 10-foot ceilings (eight inches higher in the Grand Penthouse), stainless appliances with warming drawer, butler's pantry with wine cooler and his and hers water closets; hers has a bidet. Master suites include morning bars with sink and fridge. All the penthouses are sold. The Grand Penthouse takes up the entire top floor of 8,100 square feet with roof-top spa. One of the penthouses has two levels with a dramatic two-story glass wall overlooking the bay. BCBE is the contractor on Beau Ciel.
Caption: STAFF PHOTOS / JENNIFER KATSAMANTOU
Stainless-steel railings accent the contemporary styling of Beau Ciel's lobby.
The penthouse on the 17th floor of Beau Ciel offers a long view of Sarasota Bay looking north.
The 17-story contemporary tower is virtually complete. Six available units are priced from $1,054,000 for 2,300 square feet to $1.86 million for 3,400 feet on the 15th floor.
STAFF PHOTO / JENNIFER KATSAMANTOU
Chuck Jones of Curts Gaines Hall Architects Planners designed the new Beau Ciel condominium, on Boulevard of the Arts in Sarasota.
STAFF PHOTO / JENNIFER KATSAMANTOU
The private pool area features a cabana and rockscape waterfall.
Beautiful sky
October 5, 2003
Section: SUNDAY REAL ESTATE
Page: I1
DOROTHY STOCKBRIDGE-PRATT dorothy.pratt@heraldtribune.com
Buyers and prospective buyers no longer have to depend on drawings or a ride up the buck hoist to see the new Beau Ciel ("beautiful sky" in French) and its views. The 17-story contemporary tower is virtually complete. Buyers are closing their contracts and making plans to move in as early as Thanksgiving. Interior designer Anne Folsom Smith, ASID, will have a model ready for viewing in November, even though only six of the 44 condominiums are still available. "We could have done more units, but then everyone would not have had views both of the bay and the marina," said Jay Tallman, partner with Thomas Brown in U.S. Assets Group. Their partners in Beau Ciel LLLP are Charles and Kim Githler, Daniel and Stanley Kane and Marianne Siegal. A modern building was always the plan, to compliment the next-door Hyatt Sarasota and Condominium on the Bay (888 and 988 Boulevard of the Arts), as well as G.Wiz and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Lead architect Chuck Jones, partner with Curts Gaines Hall Architects Planners of Tampa, rotated the tower from the entry and plaza levels to maximize views. "The massing is an interplay of three cylinders, which collide and erode with straight segments and are anchored with the rectangular stair towers," Jones told a group of local architects who toured the building recently. The contemporary architecture attracted buyers, including Bonnie and Jeff Lawenda. "The architecture was inspired. It was refreshing to see something different. It works beautifully in that exciting downtown location with those incredible views," Jeff Lawenda said. "The timing also was important. We'll be moving in before Thanksgiving." The competition Beau Ciel competed for downtown buyers against The Tower Residences at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, which was completed in June. The Tower Residences still has 14 of its 80 developer units available, priced from $1.6 million to $2.8 million through Michael Saunders and Company, plus some resales. Its connecting corridor to the new Members Spa Club at The Ritz-Carlton is almost complete. Tower residents have their own amenities, as well as the use of those of the hotel. Pamela Hughes Interiors earned praise for the Towers' warm residential interpretation of the hotel's elegance, also by Hughes. 'Through views' Tallman says his buyers preferred a smaller building and the "through views" of both bay to the northwest and the city skyline and yacht basin to the southeast. "It's fun seeing people go into the residences now. Their eyes light up when they see the views," Tallman said. Saunders opened the Beau Ciel sales effort, but the developers put together their own sales team because other projects coming online made it feasible. Tallman expects Orchid Beach Club, on south Lido, to begin construction in November. Some 38 of 54 residences there are sold. Founders Club, a golf-course community on 710 acres east of Interstate 75, is almost ready to begin site work after four years of planning, Tallman said. Robert Trent Jones Jr. is designing a core golf course to be surrounded by 262 single-family home sites. Tallman expects homes to cost from $750,000, including sites of 80 by 200 feet to 160 by 200 feet. At Beau Ciel, the interior is a "high-style" design by Image Design of Atlanta. "We wanted it modern but warm and welcoming, not stark or hard-edged. Art is a key element," Tallman said. A new bronze and cast-glass sculpture, by nationally known artist Howard Ben Tre, will be the centerpiece of Beau Ciel's dramatic, two-story lobby with domed ceiling. The sculpture won't arrive until December, but the lobby already has an 11- by 17-foot piece by Brian Miller of Sarasota. Its six square panels are acrylic over wood with an epoxy resin finish that makes it look like stained glass. Hodgell Gallery is providing about 40 pieces of original art. Among them is Linda Howard's 16-foot, brushed-aluminum, curving and slatted sculpture between the Hyatt Sarasota and Beau Ciel. Some of the other artists include Vicky Randall, Judy Axe, Joe Kephart and Jonas Gerard. Pale maple paneling adds to the warmth. A circular staircase leads from the lobby up to the Plaza Club amenities. These include the club room and bar overlooking the yacht harbor. The adjoining 16-seat theater can become party space, if needed. The private dining room/board room looks out on the pool deck and harbor. There's a catering kitchen, card room and conference room with computer and fax. Bay views can brighten workouts in the fitness club, which has a terrace. The concierge can schedule massages or a personal trainer. Locker rooms include saunas. Besides their own pool, residents have a private gate to the new Hyatt Sarasota lagoon pool with its with rocky waterfall. The pool and the Hyatt parking garage are part of $3 million in Hyatt improvements for which Beau Ciel paid. The available units are priced from $1,054,000, for 2,335 square feet on the seventh floor, to $1.86 million, for 3,400 feet on the 15th floor. The model is expected to be slightly more than $2 million for 3,100 feet on the 15th floor. Residents will have 24-hour concierge, security and valet service. Cars can go directly to the garage or up to the porte cochere drop-off at the lobby. High-speed elevators open into each residence. Ceilings are more than nine feet with some tray ceilings, crown moldings, custom baseboards and casings. Tiled terraces have see-through glass railings. Residences have central hot water systems, zoned high-efficiency air conditioning, digital programmable thermostats, recessed lighting, pre-wiring for sound systems, structured wiring and high-speed cabling to all TV outlets and CAT 5 cable. Kitchens have premium appliances, granite counters with 4-inch back splash, under-mounted sinks and European-style custom cabinets. The master baths feature whirlpool tub with marble surround, marble vanities and deluxe fixtures. The penthouses will have 10-foot ceilings (eight inches higher in the Grand Penthouse), stainless appliances with warming drawer, butler's pantry with wine cooler and his and hers water closets; hers has a bidet. Master suites include morning bars with sink and fridge. All the penthouses are sold. The Grand Penthouse takes up the entire top floor of 8,100 square feet with roof-top spa. One of the penthouses has two levels with a dramatic two-story glass wall overlooking the bay. BCBE is the contractor on Beau Ciel.
Caption: STAFF PHOTOS / JENNIFER KATSAMANTOU
Stainless-steel railings accent the contemporary styling of Beau Ciel's lobby.
The penthouse on the 17th floor of Beau Ciel offers a long view of Sarasota Bay looking north.
The 17-story contemporary tower is virtually complete. Six available units are priced from $1,054,000 for 2,300 square feet to $1.86 million for 3,400 feet on the 15th floor.
STAFF PHOTO / JENNIFER KATSAMANTOU
Chuck Jones of Curts Gaines Hall Architects Planners designed the new Beau Ciel condominium, on Boulevard of the Arts in Sarasota.
STAFF PHOTO / JENNIFER KATSAMANTOU
The private pool area features a cabana and rockscape waterfall.
