August 07, 2025

Three-story apartment community proposed for southern tip of Pass-a-Grille in St. Pete Beach

August 07, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A hurricane-damaged apartment complex on the southern tip of Pass-A-Grille could soon be redeveloped into a new eight-unit residential community called Barracks by the Sea.

Located at 100 Pass-A-Grille Way in St. Pete Beach, the 0.28-acre property is owned by Barracks by the Sea LLC, who purchased the site in 2021 for $2.25 million.

The property sits directly across from the Intracoastal Waterway and currently consists of three residential buildings, two of which were originally constructed in the early 1940s as army barracks and later converted to permanent residences.

August 06, 2025

29-story condo tower approved for 4th Street South in downtown St. Pete

August 06, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A Clearwater-based developer has received approval to build a new 29-story residential tower in downtown St. Petersburg.

Valor Capital plans to construct a $70 million, 165-unit condominium tower on the northeast corner of 4th Street South and 4th Avenue South, just two blocks from the Publix-anchored University Village retail plaza.

At a Development Review Commission meeting on Wednesday, commissioners unanimously approved a floor area ratio (FAR) bonus and a building height bonus for the project, known as the Roche Bobois Residences. Construction is expected to begin in 2026.

The approval follows a prior site plan approval for the project by the St. Petersburg City Council, acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, in July.

August 05, 2025

Construction begins on 86-unit affordable housing community at Palm Lake Christian Church in Disston Heights

August 05, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Vacant land next to Palm Lake Christian Church in St. Pete’s Disston Heights neighborhood will be developed into an 86-unit affordable housing community restricted to low-income households.

Tampa-based Newstar Development recently announced the full execution of a land lease agreement between the church, the Pinellas County Housing Authority (PCHA), and Newstar itself.

Construction also recently commenced on the project, known as Palm Lake Urban Sanctuary, or PLUS, located at 5401 22nd Avenue North.

The development will include a four-story building with 86 units, all reserved for households earning up to 80% of the area median income (AMI).

Specifically, the breakdown includes 13 units reserved for households earning 30% AMI, 14 units for 50% AMI, 42 units for 60% AMI, and 17 units for 80% AMI.

August 05, 2025

Massive redevelopment brewing on Salt Creek as plans emerge for waterfront district south of downtown St. Pete

August 05, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A once-sleepy industrial stretch along Salt Creek in south St. Pete is on the cusp of major transformation as Clearwater-based real estate company Prometheus Partners has quietly assembled more than 10.5 acres of contiguous property just south of downtown.

Over the past few years, the group has spent over $43.7 million acquiring a portfolio of waterfront parcels in the Old Southeast neighborhood.

Now, newly filed plans suggest a redevelopment may be in motion, one that could dramatically reshape this underutilized waterfront into a lively mixed-use neighborhood.

Prometheus began acquiring land in the area in March 2024, beginning with the purchase of Progressive Marine Service Inc. at 1351 Bay Street SE for $4.8 million.

That was followed by a $10 million deal in April for 1421 Bay Street SE, the former Sailor’s Wharf yacht yard.

In July 2024, it picked up the St. Petersburg Marine Center at 101 16th Avenue South for $12.5 million.

Then in November 2024, the company added the Salt Creek Marina at 105 15th Avenue SE to its portfolio for $16.425 million.

In total, the company now controls more than 10.5 acres across several parcels on the south side of Salt Creek.

August 04, 2025

Developer buys St. Pete property in $16.5 million deal for 304-unit affordable housing complex

August 04, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Houston-based The Hanover Company, a private real estate developer, has purchased a retail plaza that is expected to be redeveloped into a 304-unit affordable housing community.

The group has acquired the 8.95-acre site at 3100 22nd Avenue North in North Kenwood for $16.5 million from ZSPR PROPCO of Tampa LLC, according to a deed recorded on August 4th. The existing 71,064-square-foot retail plaza previously housed JB Factory Flooring, Studio Physique, and a MetroPCS store.

The Hanover Company also took out a $46.92 million loan from Texas-based Comica Bank.

The company’s redevelopment plans, which were filed in 2024, represented the first Live Local Act application received by the City of St. Petersburg.

August 01, 2025

South Pasadena Winn-Dixie to be converted into Aldi

August 01, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

After more than a decade serving the South Pasadena community, the Winn-Dixie at 6851 Gulfport Boulevard is set for a major transformation.

The store will be converted into an Aldi, joining a wave of former Winn-Dixie locations being rebranded under the German discount grocery chain following its acquisition of Southeastern Grocers in March 2024.

Plans for the 55,720-square-foot supermarket include a renovation that will subdivide the existing space, with Aldi occupying a portion of the building.

Located directly across from a Publix and Walmart Neighborhood Market, the site has long been a hotspot for grocery competition.

July 31, 2025

Retro Florida motel-themed bar No Vacancy closes after six years in the EDGE District

July 31, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

After more than six years serving up tropical drinks and Florida-themed fare, No Vacancy has permanently closed in downtown St. Pete.

The Old Florida motel-inspired bar and restaurant at 937 Central Avenue announced its closure in a heartfelt social media post, marking the end of an era for one of the EDGE District’s most recognizable hangouts.

“After 6.5 unforgettable years, our everyday vacay comes to an end,” wrote owner Stephen Schrutt. “From the bottom of our hearts, Thank You, St. Pete! You stayed with us through it all. From the challenges of Covid, and the growth of our city. Thank you for being part of it, none of this was possible without our flock.”

No Vacancy opened in January 2019 in the former home of Kings Street Food Counter, another concept from Schrutt’s Hunger + Thirst Restaurant Group.

July 31, 2025

The Violet Stone’s new, larger location is officially open in St. Pete

July 31, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

St. Pete’s favorite Philly-style pizza joint, The Violet Stone, has officially opened in a much larger, more prominent location. So say goodbye to long lines, sold-out signs by noon, and eating pizza on the hood of your car.

The new restaurant, located at 2609 Dr. MLK Jr. Street North, debuted on Wednesday, and brings with it an expanded menu, upgraded kitchen, and seating for up to 100 guests, both indoors and out.

The Violet Stone has come a long way since it launched as a food truck in 2022. After outgrowing the truck, owner Daniel Fekete set up shop in a small 800-square-foot space in Kenwood.

That original space had no air conditioning and just a few chairs and tables. Now, the team is settling into a 2,100-square-foot spot that finally matches Fekete’s vision for the restaurant.

July 30, 2025

Exclusive: 87-room Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel proposed for John’s Pass Village in Madeira Beach

July 30, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A new boutique hotel is in the works for Madeira Beach’s John’s Pass Village, offering visitors a new place to stay in the heart of the popular waterfront shopping and dining destination.

Prominent developer Bill Karns, who is also leading the Madeira Beach Town Center project, and Marcus Winters, owner of Caddy’s Restaurant Group, are proposing an 87-key Marriott Tribute hotel directly across from the iconic John’s Pass boardwalk.

The site, located on the southwest corner of 129th Avenue East and Pelican Lane, is owned by Karns and is currently being used as a 180-space surface parking lot.

The proposed six-story hotel will be a “condo-hotel,” a hybrid model that blends hotel and condominium features. Individual units will be available both for purchase and for nightly rentals.

July 30, 2025

Former Tampa Bay Times printing plant to be redeveloped with apartments and townhomes in North Kenwood

July 30, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A major redevelopment is coming to North Kenwood, where the former Tampa Bay Times printing plant once buzzed with activity for over 60 years.

Dallas-based real estate firm Crow Holdings, founded in 1948 by legendary developer Trammell Crow, has filed plans to build a 392-unit garden-style apartment complex at 1301 34th Street North just south of Sam’s Club.

The plans, submitted on Monday to the Southwest Florida Water Management District, call for six four-story apartment buildings, a clubhouse, and 577 surface parking spaces.

The property went under contract on July 1st, according to CoStar.

Since all three parcels are zoned Industrial Suburban (IS), residential development would only be allowed through the Live Local Act or Section 17.5 of St. Petersburg’s land development regulations. Both options require that at least 40% of the residential units be set aside as affordable housing for households earning up to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI).