February 17, 2026

Five-story food hall Central Park St. Pete begins phased opening this week in downtown

February 17, 2026/ Kyla Fields

After six years of anticipation, a new five-story food hall in the heart of downtown St. Pete is finally ready to welcome its first guests.

Central Park, the 27,700-square-foot food hall at 551 Central Avenue, will begin rolling out its 14 concepts in phases rather than opening all at once.

The first openings begin this Thursday, February 19th, when Palm Avenue Deli and Constellation Burger launch for takeout and delivery only. Initial hours will run from 5 to 10 p.m.

Palm Avenue Deli will bring a New York-style delicatessen experience to Central Avenue, serving pastrami sandwiches, reubens, latkes, matzo ball soup, stuffed cabbage and bagels.

Constellation Burger will offer a fast-casual lineup of creative burgers and sandwiches, including everything from classic beef patties to its Local Rock Shrimp Katsu Burger topped with American cheese, shredded lettuce, onion-pickle relish and dill cream sauce.

February 17, 2026

Downtown St. Pete apartments painted pink before demolition makes way for 29-story condo tower

February 17, 2026/ Veronica Brezina

On the corner of 4th Street South and 4th Avenue South in downtown St. Pete, a team of local muralists has quite literally started painting the town pink.

The former Ventnor Apartments, a cluster of 1920s-era buildings at 344 4th Street South, have been drenched in bright pink paint from porches to door knobs by The Vitale Bros.

However, the pink-laden glow-up is only temporary.

In early March, the buildings will begin coming down to make way for the $200 million Roche Bobois St. Pete Tower, a 29-story, 164-unit luxury condominium tower developed by Clearwater-based Valor Real Estate Development in partnership with the French luxury furniture brand Roche Bobois.

“These pink buildings are the last burst of creativity,” said Moises Agami, CEO of Valor, in a conversation with St. Pete Rising at a recent press event. “Like a phoenix, they’re going to come down and be reborn into an incredible new icon for St. Pete.”

February 16, 2026

144-unit affordable housing community Olea on 126 breaks ground in Largo

February 16, 2026/ Brian Zucker

A new affordable housing community in Largo will bring 144 apartments to a vacant 4.9-acre site, providing much-needed homes for lower-income residents.

Last Tuesday, California-based Lincoln Avenue Communities joined City of Largo officials to celebrate the groundbreaking of Olea on 126.

The $54.6 million project, located at 6727 126th Avenue North, will feature two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments across three four-story, garden-style buildings.

Of the 144 apartments, 35 will be reserved for households earning up to 40% of the Area Median Income (AMI), 72 units for households earning up to 60% of AMI, and 38 units for households earning up to 80% of AMI.

Residents will have access to a clubhouse, outdoor pool, playground, and 174 parking spaces.

February 16, 2026

$60 million Tropicana Field renovation nearly complete ahead of Rays’ return to downtown St. Pete

February 16, 2026/ Veronica Brezina

A new roof stretches overhead, the stadium lights are back in place, and a thick layer of fresh artificial turf now spans the field floor as the Tampa Bay Rays prepare to return home to downtown St. Pete.

The City of St. Petersburg is nearing completion of a $59.7 million renovation and remediation of Tropicana Field ahead of the Rays’ home opener against the Chicago Cubs on Monday, April 6th.

“From here, there are lots of other things that need to be done—some drywall, aiming the lights to make sure they are in the right place, getting the lines on the field—but the big lift items are complete,” said Beth Herendeen, the city’s Administration and Finance Managing Director, during a media tour of the stadium. “We are on schedule and on budget and fully anticipate being ready for opening day.”

The most visible milestone is the new roof. The original fabric roof was shredded during Hurricane Milton in 2024, exposing the stadium interior to months of rainwater intrusion and causing widespread internal damage.

The replacement roof, made of a thicker, stronger fiberglass membrane and engineered to withstand winds of up to 165 miles per hour, was manufactured in Germany, assembled in China, and air-freighted to Alaska before arriving in St. Petersburg.

February 13, 2026

Sanderlin Center plans 40,000-square-foot family and social services campus in south St. Pete

February 13, 2026/ Veronica Brezina

For nearly 35 years, the James B. Sanderlin Neighborhood Family Center has supported families in south St. Pete with pre-kindergarten, after-school tutoring, job training, and weekly food distribution from its campus at 2335 22nd Avenue South.

Now, the nonprofit is preparing for what leaders describe as a transformational expansion.

Newly unveiled renderings offer a glimpse of a new 40,000-square-foot education and social services building on the organization’s five-acre campus.

The project would nearly double the size of the existing building, which would be demolished to make way for the new facility.

“This has been a dream for a while,” said Executive Director Celeste Collins, who has led the organization for nearly eight years and once brought her own children to the center before taking the helm. “We want to make sure that the space is inviting, where families feel comfortable coming here, and that we can host large functions. This is a labor of love for the community.”

February 13, 2026

Eight-story Marriott hotel to break ground next month in Madeira Beach

February 13, 2026/ Veronica Brezina

Two years after it was first announced, construction is set to commence on The Beachmaker, an eight-story, 161-unit Marriott Autograph Collection hotel in Madeira Beach.

Beginning in March, existing structures on the 2.5-acre site at 15000 Madeira Way will be demolished to make way for the new resort.

Over the years, the property has been home to a variety of local businesses, most recently Frabotta’s Beach Kitchen, which will close in mid-February, and Saltwater Hippie Beach Bar, which is relocating across the street to 15045 Madeira Way.

The new hotel is being spearheaded by local developer Bill Karns, who has partnered with Marcus Winters, owner of Caddy’s, and Jeff Beggins of Century 21.

Through Boca Ciega Land Co. LLC, the partners purchased the property for $13.5 million in 2022.

February 12, 2026

Localtopia, a celebration of all things local, returns to Williams Park this weekend

February 12, 2026/ Veronica Brezina

Valentine’s Day weekend takes on a community vibe as Localtopia, dubbed “St. Pete’s largest celebration of all things local,” returns to Williams Park this Saturday, February 14th.

Now in its 13th year, the free event organized by Keep Saint Petersburg Local, runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature more than 300 St. Pete-based businesses and live entertainment throughout the park located at 350 2nd Avenue North in downtown St. Pete.

Attendees can expect to see merchants, makers, and popular businesses, such as Sans Market, RECLAIMthreads, Pieces of a Dream Gifts, Revolution Records, NautiGirl Beachwear, The Roaming Petal, Tombolo Books, among hundreds of others.

Food vendors include Pete’s Bagels, The Twisted Indian, 4th Street Pizza, Johnny Nevada’s Tamales & Tacos, Gateway Subs, Churned Ice Cream, Kahwa Coffee, Grassroots Kava House, and Craft Kafe.

February 12, 2026

Six-story Marriott hotel planned for Madeira Beach tweaked after city feedback

February 12, 2026/ Veronica Brezina

New renderings offer a more detailed and colorful look at a new boutique hotel planned for Madeira Beach.

Local developer Bill Karns, who is also leading the Madeira Beach Town Center project, has partnered with Marcus Winters, owner of Caddy’s, to propose an 87-key hotel across from John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk.

The project is planned for the southeastern corner of 129th Avenue East and Pelican Lane on a 1.5-acre parcel owned by Karns that is currently being used as a 180-space surface parking lot.

The hotel would operate under Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio, a collection of independent boutique properties designed to reflect the character and history of their surroundings.

Working with the city’s planning department, Karns and St. Petersburg-based Place Architecture revised the original design, which was announced by St. Pete Rising last July, and presented updated plans at a neighborhood meeting last November.

The initial concept called for a white, modern building with columns. The revised plan has a more traditional “fishing village” aesthetic, featuring colorful exterior paint and paneling similar to the storefronts and restaurants along the John’s Pass boardwalk.

February 11, 2026

Whataburger returns to Tampa Bay with new Largo opening this week

February 11, 2026/ Kyla Fields

A popular Texas burger chain is making its long-awaited return to Tampa Bay this week.

Pinellas County’s only Whataburger will open Thursday, February 12th at 10150 Ulmerton Road in Largo, near Largo Mall.

The grand opening begins at 11 a.m., with free Whataburger merchandise available for the first 100 people in line.

The restaurant is also offering a free kids meal with the purchase of any Whatameal from February 12th through March 12th.

The new location will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Founded in Texas, Whataburger is known for its large, customizable burgers topped with options like bacon, avocado, jalapeños and its signature creamy pepper sauce.

Menu staples include the Sweet & Spicy Bacon Burger, the Patty Melt served on Texas toast, and the Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich.

February 11, 2026

Seven-story boutique condo building The Cade launches sales on Mirror Lake in downtown St. Pete

February 11, 2026/ Veronica Brezina

A new boutique condo building along Mirror Lake in downtown St. Pete has officially hit the market.

St. Pete-based Backstreets Capital has launched sales for The Cade, a seven-story mid-rise building coming soon to 749 Burlington Avenue North featuring just 15 luxury residences overlooking the historic lake.

Contracts are now being accepted, and a sales gallery has opened at 600 1st Avenue North.

“The Cade was designed to feel like home the moment you arrive,” said Will Conroy, President of Backstreets Capital. “With only 15 residences, everything from the scale of the homes to the way the building functions was considered to create a highly personal living experience.”

“This is a place for people who want the privacy, space, and character of a custom home, paired with an irreplaceable lakefront location in downtown St. Petersburg,” Conroy added.