RGD Consulting Engineers provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, information communication technology engineering services for 1515 Westshore, a 14 story, 732,000 SF mixed use project located in in the Westshore area of Tampa, FL. The Project consists of two, 14 story multifamily residential towers, a 10 story multifamily residential tower with a 6 level, 555 space parking structure connecting all three residential towers. There are 310 apartment units ranging from studio to one, two and three bedroom luxury suites. Main program elements include outdoor amenity spaces on the 6th, 7th, and 10th levels, shelled out restaurant and retail spaces at street level, a dog walking park with a dog spa, an indoor theater, fitness, and community office space. The 7th level amenity deck has two swimming pools, outdoor gaming spaces, yoga and a summer kitchen.
The Primary HVAC system consists of individual water source heat pumps for each residential unit, water cooled dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) for bathroom and clothes dryer exhaust make up air and common corridor conditioning. The total installed refrigeration tonnage is in excess of 2000 tons. HVAC and structural provisions for future restaurant HVAC systems were coordinated in the areas of knock out wall panels in walls and slabs, space for future commercial kitchen ventilation systems and space for future HVAC systems for dining areas. The power distribution systems consist of two 1600 amp/480V/3 services serving a hybrid vertical distribution system and an 800 KW on site power generation plant serving life safety loads. Plumbing systems include Sovent single pipe waste and vent systems, multiple domestic water booster pumps with redundant pressure reducing stations located strategically throughout each residential tower.
Technical challenges included locating the central HVAC systems and equipment at street level due to the low FAA aircraft glide clearance requirements which prevented that equipment being located at the high roof levels. Stairwell pressurization systems are also located at street level due to the FAA clearance requirements.