The 600 Building at 600 Leopard Street offers incredible views of downtown Corpus Christi and the bay. It may soon be converted into apartments. Photo by Carrie Robertson Meyer/Third Coast Photo
A 50-year-old office tower that sits atop the Bluff dividing downtown from uptown Corpus Christi may soon be converted into a 126-unit apartment complex. New plans for The 600 Building at 600 Leopard Street and Upper Broadway came before a city zoning board recently. The board approved $2.56 million in incentives to help facilitate the conversion.
Developer Marcel Wisznia hopes to add state and federal historical tax credits as further incentives later on. Right now he is working to finalize the sale, which he hopes will be in September or October of this year. Developers have until June to make a final decision, according to the building’s property manager. Construction could last about 15 months.
The incentive money comes in several packages, including $1.26 million or $10,000 per apartment. A 10-year development agreement for $1.3 million was also approved. The incentives are not cash outright, but tax breaks that reinvest a portion of the appreciated property value downtown back into the area.
The sixth tallest tower in Corpus Christi, The 600 Building's 21 floors are 248 feet tall. Office suites currently rent for $10 to $12 per square foot for a three-year lease.
