February 19, 2025

Revised plan approved for apartment tower on Mirror Lake in downtown St. Pete

February 19, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A planned apartment tower on the southwest edge of downtown St. Pete’s Mirror Lake neighborhood has been approved for increased height and additional units.

The initial plan, which was approved by the Development Review Commission in January 2023, called for a 21-story 200-unit apartment tower with 10,843 square feet of retail space and a 264-space parking garage at 699 1st Avenue North.

The new proposal is for a 23-story, 218-unit apartment tower with 11,193 square feet of retail space and a 274-space parking garage.

The properties, which Gravel Road Partners purchased in March 2022 for $6.4 million, include the parcels at 685, 694, and 699 1st Avenue North and are currently occupied by two vacant office buildings, a vacant triplex, and a surface parking lot.

February 18, 2025

Renderings revealed for 162-unit condo development proposed for Corey Avenue in St. Pete Beach

February 18, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A prime waterfront parcel in St. Pete Beach may become a new mixed-use condominium development with restaurants, retail, and public green space.

Delray Beach-based real estate developer Kolter Urban unveiled its vision for a property located at the east end Corey Avenue during a Monday evening community meeting at the Sirata Beach Resort.

During the meeting, Kolter showed renderings and a site plan for a 162-unit luxury condo development with 4,000 square feet of restaurant space, 8,540 square feet of retail space, 39 boat slips, and public amenities, such as a park, plaza, and promenade.

February 18, 2025

Downtown St. Pete sports bar The Avenue to close after 13 years

February 18, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Beloved downtown St. Pete restaurant and bar The Avenue will permanently close its doors this weekend after 13 years in business.

In a conversation with St. Pete Rising, owner Stephen Schrutt says his lease at 330 1st Avenue South is ending soon and he was not able to come to terms on a new lease with his landlord. The Avenue will not relocate.

The downtown neighborhood burger joint and sports bar will host a “Last Call” party on Saturday, February 22nd, for customers to raise a glass one last time before the final goodbye.

February 17, 2025

Children's bookstore The Story Garden to debut next month in Historic Uptown

February 17, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Big news for little readers! A new children’s bookstore is opening its doors next month in Historic Uptown.

The Story Garden will bring a world of stories, adventure, and imagination to St. Pete on March 1st when it debuts at 832 14th Street North.

Founder and owner Megan Kotsko recently gave St. Pete Rising a tour of the store, which is largely retail with a dedicated space reserved for weekly events.

The shop will carry over 1,500 titles for babies, toddlers, early readers, middle grades, young adults, and parents.

February 14, 2025

Sales launch for Clemmons Court, a luxury single-family home community in St. Pete's Grand Central District

February 14, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Sales have launched for an urban enclave of four luxury single family homes coming soon to the Grand Central District.

Clemmons Court will soon rise at 2550 1st Avenue North within just steps away from Central Avenue and within walking distance of popular St. Pete businesses such as Pete’s Bagels, Bandit Coffee, Pin on Grand, Wild Child, Baba, and Casita Taqueria.

The project is being brought to life by an all-local team led by Will Conroy of Backstreets Capital, who has enlisted the help of Tim Clemmons of Place Architecture, Fox Building Group, and local real estate agent Tess Mullinax of Compass.