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
First reported almost three years ago, the sale of the 600 Building in uptown Corpus Christi has finally gone through. Wisznia Architecture and Development of New Orleans purchased the building after three years in negotiations. Marcel Wisznia is former resident of Corpus Christi whose architect father is responsible for designing the neighboring Wells Fargo Tower and the Nueces County Courthouse, among other iconic local structures.
Designed as a business tower, the 600 Building soon will become a multifamily apartment complex with 131 units. No changes are expected to the exterior, which will be preserved in compliance with federal and state historical regulations.
The Texas Historical Commission listed the building on the National Register in 2016, the year Wisznia first announced his intention to buy it. He will have to follow regulations to qualify for tax credits granted the project.
Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 3 approved $2.56 million in incentives for the project in 2016. The plan at the time was to begin work seven months later, but the sale was never finalized.
The $2.5 million from the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 3 is still available. It will be paid out over a 10-year period and based on increased property values in the area.
The sixth-tallest tower in Corpus Christi, the 600 Building's 21 floors are 248 feet tall. It was built in 1963. Wisznia told reporters he planned to begin work on the project this summer.
