The City of St. Pete may have cleared the 49-story hotel-branded condominium Waldorf Astoria in early November, but that was more of a formality than an obstacle. The real challenge is gaining approval at the federal level for the much-touted project, which is tentatively located at 150 2nd Avenue South in downtown St. Pete. The high-rise will likely not get the thumbs up from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), because of its proposed height. 

According to sources familiar with the development and construction industry in downtown St. Pete, information has been revealed about the possible fate of the upcoming project. 

Currently under construction, 400 Central will rise 46 stories into the skyline, but this is nine floors shorter than initially planned. Originally, 400 Central was designed with 55 stories, but the FAA would not give its approval, and plans were modified to bring the building down to 46 stories, thereby conforming with the federal agency. 

Since the Waldorf Astoria will exceed 400 Central’s height by three stories, it’s likely not to be approved by the FAA and will probably have to be modified to be built. 

400 Central also gained local approval from the City of St. Pete’s development commission, but exceeded the FAA’s height limitations and was subsequently reduced from 55 stories to 46 floors. Although there remains a chance the Waldorf Astoria condominium will be built to its current specifications, it is not likely to gain federal approval, so, it too may have to change its plans in order to get the go-ahead from the FAA.

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(Image credit: CUBE 3 Architects)