Tom O’Brien was thrilled when St. Petersburg’s City Council voted in July to expand the area where homeowners can build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU). As the founder of Tiger Construction & Development, he knew the decision would be one of the keys to bringing more affordable housing to St. Pete.
Under the new guidelines, lots that are in Neighborhood Traditional (NT) zoning districts (most of St. Pete) and are 4,500 square feet or greater can construct ADUs that are 67% of their main structure. In Neighborhood Suburban (NS) zoning districts, the minimum lot size is 10,000 square feet. In both instances, the maximum square footage of the ADU cannot exceed 800 square feet. If a property is within 1/8 mile of a high-transit road or is adjacent to an alley, and the ADU is 600 square feet or less, no additional parking is required.
From Boston to St. Pete
O’Brien got his start in the construction business 38 years ago in South Boston, where he built new homes that emulated the look and feel of Boston’s historic homes, maintaining visual cohesion in the neighborhoods. O’Brien decided to bring his passion for construction to sunny St. Pete, where today Tiger Construction builds all types of new homes and ADUs, also known as carriage homes. Others refer to them as mother-in-law suites or garage apartments, and they offer the much-needed relief St. Pete renters are looking for, while also being beneficial to homeowners. “They are great for rental income, an elderly parent, an office, a she shed or man cave, or even for family visits, with the price of hotel rooms rising,” he says.
All-Inclusive Designs
“We offer an all-inclusive, turnkey design which starts with a property survey, then to developing architectural plans and the application for the permit. We use real, solid stone, stucco finish over block, and the client’s choice of Sherwin Williams paint, both inside and out.” The process is completed in four months after the permit is received.
Value-Added Construction
Prices start at $230,000 for a 1,000 square-foot, two-car garage carriage home with 500 square feet of living space, up to $362,000 for a 1,600 square-foot, two-bedroom, three-car garage carriage home with 800 square feet of living space. “The value of your property will go up dramatically as soon as your carriage home receives the occupancy permit,” O’Brien says.
All Tiger carriage homes are constructed with solid block and cedar wood, making them resilient toward anything nature throws their way. Each home also includes hurricane-impact windows and doors and foam insulation. Also included are full washer-dryer hookups, Samsung stainless steel appliances, and a garage. All homes come with a 1-2-10 warranty, meaning that all facets of the house are covered for the first year, appliances are covered for two years, and the structure is covered for 10 years. The carriage homes include tile and/or true 5/8 hardwood floors complemented by Italian or Brazilian stone in kitchen and bathrooms. “Additionally, we’re seeing an increase in demand for 3D epoxy flooring – truly a one-of-a-kind flooring that explodes with color,” O’Brien says. “These floors are also usually matched with the chosen stones, resulting in something of an owner’s signature on the home.
Over 30 Years of Experience
“You’re only as good as the team you have in place, and I’ve had the same people for 11 years,” O’Brien says. “They have a combined experience of over 30 years.” O’Brien’s mission remains to “provide people with the home of their dreams while keeping the cost as low as we can, never cutting corners or jeopardizing quality. We want people to love the homes we build and for the house to last a lifetime and then some.”
Contact Tom O’Brien at (727) 643-9544 or [email protected], or visit www.TigerConstructionStPete.com.
