The development team converting a 31-year-old uptown office building to residential condos will give South Tryon Street a taste of New York's Fifth Avenue.

A uniformed doorman will be stationed at the entrance to 230 South Tryon, which will have 110 units ranging from studios to penthouses priced from $150,000 to $1.5 million.

Spectrum Properties disclosed late last year that it would team with property owner Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers to transform the 13-story Mass Mutual Building from offices to residences. Design work was still under way at the time, leaving uptown watchers to wonder how a dated building with an uninspiring boxy design could undergo such a dramatic change.

They found out Wednesday when Spectrum made available construction plans, prices and architect LS3P Associates Ltd.'s renderings for the first time.

"We wanted a building that had a residential presence on Tryon," said LS3P principal Jeff Floyd. "To us, that meant it should have a very traditional look to it."

Penthouses hinting of Fifth Avenue will top the two highest floors. The largest unit -- 4,000 square feet -- sells for $1.5 million. Seven other penthouses -- starting at 1,900 square feet and including a pair of two-story units -- will share the top space.

Spectrum plans to start renovation work in April and finish the first units by summer 2006.

The project team disclosed for the first time that the makeover, valued at about $40 million, will include more than the conversion of the office tower.

The parking lot adjacent to the building also will be developed. Features include a 7,500-square- foot restaurant with a rooftop gazebo, an outdoor plaza and 3,000 square feet of shops.

Darryl Dewberry, Spectrum's chief executive officer, said the plan is for the restaurant to install heaters and keep its outdoor terrace open for dining about 10 months a year.

The amenities package for condo owners will include a coffee bar, cyber cafe, salon, clubroom and fitness center.

A swimming pool will be installed on the top floor of the adjoining 675-space parking garage.

John Gray, president of Spectrum Properties Residential, called it a "South Beach" pool patterned after one he saw in Florida.

Half of the pool will be about four feet deep; the other half will be six inches deep so people can lie in the water or get their feet wet in lounge chairs.

The lobby will be patrolled by a uniformed doorman, who also will perform duties ranging from helping with dry cleaning drop-offs to keeping coffee fresh in the residents' coffee bar.

LS3P's Floyd said the exterior of the building's first two floors will be polished granite. The roof will be metal, and balconies -- at least one per unit -- will have decorative metal railing.

Residents on the side of the building facing Tryon will have views of the financial district. Others will be able to see Bank of America Stadium and the proposed Third Ward park.

The building is at Tryon and Third streets, across from a block where Cornerstone had planned to build an office tower before the city's leasing market entered its nearly four-year slump.

In cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Dallas, developers are finding that high vacancy rates make it more profitable to convert office towers to condos rather than upgrade them to compete for corporate tenants.

Spectrum's makeover is the first such project for Charlotte and a milestone in the movement back to the urban core. It will be the first uptown condo development with a main entrance on South Tryon.

Over the past six months, developers have announced four high-rise condo projects uptown, and real estate experts believe the residential market is ripe for more.

Nearly 10,000 people live in the center city.

Dewberry said 230 South Tryon will ooze ambience and style. The lobby will feature polished granite and marble floors, a 15-foot ceiling, a grand piano and a concierge desk.

Condo interiors will have nine- and 10-foot ceilings, hardwood floors, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, windows that open and garden tubs.

Residents will have one assigned parking space per bedroom, but Dewberry said they will be able to purchase additional spaces and storage units.

Studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units starting at 530 square feet will be priced from $150,000 to $500,000. Penthouse prices start at $750,000. Dewberry said the project's restaurant and small shop space also is to be listed for sale.

R.J. Griffin & Co. is the general contractor.

Dewberry said the real estate sales team is working with more than 100 potential buyers who expressed interest by putting their names on a list after the project's disclosure.

Rebirth of 230 South Tryon

• 110 residential condos priced from $150,000 to $1.5 million will replace 198,000 square feet of office space in 31-year-old building.

• Restaurant, shops, outdoor dining to be built on parking lot beside building.

• Swimming pool and outdoor wet bar to be installed atop adjoining 675-space parking deck.

• Two levels of penthouses will occupy the 12th and 13th floors. Two penthouses will be two stories; the largest penthouse will total 4,000 square feet.

• Each condo will have at least one balcony with decorative metal railing and skyline views.

• Amenities to be incorporated include a coffee bar, cyber cafe, fitness center and grand lobby with a uniformed doorman.

Got, Alotta, Charlotte!

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