Involved Companies

Background

With an average of 360 days of sunshine annually, Clearwater Beach, Fla., is a popular tourist destination. So it’s no surprise that parking is in demand. The addition of the North Beach Parking Plaza near the center of Clearwater Beach Island, just a short distance from the Gulf of Mexico, was a welcome addition.

The planned 7-story parking tower used a "Coastal Contemporary" design language to harmonize with the neighboring structures' architectural aesthetic. Per best urban planning practices, the garage has been positioned behind the two-story Pelican Walk Retail Center, which acts as a buffer between the pedestrian path along the project's main facade and lowers the perception of the project's size.

The North Beach Parking Plaza keeps automobiles cool, shields them from the sun, and is a secure and practical parking spot. More than 700 parking spots are available at the standalone building, accommodating beachgoers, restaurant patrons, workers, and overnight guests. 12,000 sq ft of shop space is situated at street level to capitalize on the busy location.

Three main "artistic feature panels" serve as the basis for vibrant "wave art" elements during the day and the screen for up-lit LED lights at night to comply with the strict "Beach-By-Design" rules set out by the City of Clearwater. Along the sidewalk cafe area, robust cantilevered canopies were built above the ground-level storefront glass for restaurants and retail establishments. The design also includes accent features incorporated into the precast concrete panels, which include multi-story sloped fabric awnings in bright colors, and colorful fabric awnings.

Precast concrete was chosen because it can resist coastal conditions and guard against surges for street-level shops. 

Due to the constrained placement, the installation had to be done with almost surgical accuracy. The crew had to move precast concrete components in a short amount of time while also working with a tiny footprint. Trucks were not allowed at night, but they also had to avoid the morning congestion on the island's lone entry point, the Causeway. The project's success depended heavily on planning and coordination.

Due to the proximity of the building to the shopping center, the precast concrete also had to act as a fire separation wall. 

The sturdy 10-inch precast concrete components provided a barrier and were decorated with dune grass-shaped reveals. Thin pieces of wood were twisted and included into the precast panels to resemble wind-blown reeds. The casting has to completely match the arching design because it runs over numerous panels.

Key Project Attributes

• Three feature panels act as the foundation for vibrant wave art during the day and the screen for LED lights at night to comply with the strict Beach by Design rules set out by the city.

• There are three distinct areas for parking structure patrons. Retail staff uses the lower levels, while beachgoers use the intermediate floors. For surrounding hotels, valet parking is located in the upper section.

• More than 700 parking spots are available at the standalone building, accommodating beachgoers, restaurant patrons, workers, and overnight guests. 12,000 square feet of shop space are situated at street level to capitalize on the busy location.

Photos via Kokolakis Contracting