Unscripted Theatre Brings Improv Comedy to Downtown St. Pete

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Unscripted Theatre Brings Improv Comedy to Downtown St. Pete

In 2010, St. Petersburg, FL earned the No. 1 ranking as America’s Arts Destination for mid-sized cities by AmericanStyle Magazine.  The accolade is well-earned thanks to numerous world-class art museums and galleries that call St. Pete home, such as The Dali Museum, The Chihuly Collection, The Museum of Fine Arts, and the Duncan McClellan Gallery. 

St. Pete’s seven arts districts are drenched in over 50 outdoor murals by artists from all over the world.  Local artists and makers pack the St. Pete's indie markets on a regular basis to sell their crafts.  St. Pete is undeniably a vibrant arts city. But the one art medium that doesn’t often shine as bright as the rest in St. Pete is performing arts.  Enter Unscripted Theatre.

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Urban Townhomes Coming to 5th Avenue North in Downtown St. Pete

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Urban Townhomes Coming to 5th Avenue North in Downtown St. Pete

Coming off of a record year in 2016, Downtown St. Pete’s real estate market is continuing to show signs of strength with the addition of new residential development. With land in downtown’s core at a premium, many developers are turning to urban infill townhome developments to meet the increasing demand. 

Over the last few years, these townhome developments, usually consisting of 10 units or less, have begun popping up around downtown with much success. Last year, sold out townhome projects such as Del Mar City Homes, Quattro, and the Renaissance City Homes were completed, indicating strength in the high-end townhome market. 

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Downtown St. Pete Development Update - Fourth Quarter 2016

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Downtown St. Pete Development Update - Fourth Quarter 2016

The fourth quarter of 2016 saw an enormous amount of progress on many of Downtown St. Pete's active developments.  The demolition of the "cheese grater" building at 400 Central Ave concluded.  The Rowdies launched an official campaign to join the MLS, which included an expanded Al Lang Stadium.  A new site plan was approved for 801 Central, which now includes a 15 and 7-story apartment building and ground-level retail.

Also, a few projects broke ground including Bainbridge 930 Central Flats, and retail along 1st Ave S that will house an Orangetheory Fitness and a yet-to-be-determined restaurant.  

Additionally, AER Apartments and The Hermitage Apartment Homes started leasing, which helped to relieve the extremely low apartment occupancy rates that Downtown St. Pete has grown accustomed to over the past few years. 

Looking to the future, we should see the groundbreaking of a few notable projects this coming quarter including The Brownstones, 801 Conway, The District on 9th, and the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement.

Lastly, be sure to check out Downtown St. Pete's first, second, and third quarter development updates of 2016 to see how your favorite projects have progressed!

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Orangetheory Fitness Planned For Growing 1st Ave S in Downtown St. Pete

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Orangetheory Fitness Planned For Growing 1st Ave S in Downtown St. Pete

Even through times of recession, when many storefronts became shuttered and vacant, Central Avenue has always been Downtown St. Pete’s major commercial corridor. However, in the wake of Downtown St. Pete’s economic renaissance, many new businesses have opened and flourished throughout downtown — most prominently along Central Avenue.

It’s simple supply and demand.  As more businesses continue to move into the neighborhood, that leaves less vacant space for future retail tenants.  As a result, retailers and restaurants are beginning to branch out from Central Ave and consider the streets adjacent to it.  One such street is 1st Avenue S.

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Mini Doughnut Factory to Open in St. Pete This Spring

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Mini Doughnut Factory to Open in St. Pete This Spring

Having debuted just over a year ago in Tampa, Mini Doughnut Factory has been a runaway hit for owners Patrick and Zezura Ruddell.  Every weekend, the line stretches out the door as patrons patiently wait to indulge in the Factory’s made-to-order mini morsels.

The mini doughnuts are approximately one third the size of a regular doughnut and come in 16 different flavors (or you can create your own).  One of the most popular flavors is the Sweet Pig, which is a vanilla cake doughnut with maple icing and bacon.  Another favorite is the Peanut Butter Crunch, vanilla cake doughnut with peanut butter icing and crushed butterfingers.  There are so many great flavors available and thanks to their small size, you won’t have to choose just one.  The doughnuts come in packs of 3, 6, 16, 25 or 35.  There are also gluten-free doughnuts available.

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New York-style Rooftop Terrace and Restaurant Renovations Coming to Station House in Early 2017

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New York-style Rooftop Terrace and Restaurant Renovations Coming to Station House in Early 2017

Station House, which opened in 2014, will undergo urban upgrades beginning the first week of 2017. Located at 260 1st Ave S in Downtown St. Petersburg, the historic building, is home to five floors of tech, food, co-work, and pop-up space.

Among the urban upgrades planned are the addition of a “New York-style rooftop garden terrace." The new garden terrace will have a pergola shade system and extensive green-space with foliage and vines that will rival New York City’s best rooftops. The rooftop will be used primarily for intimate parties and dining.

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A New Southern-Inspired Kitchen and Cocktail Bar Opens in Downtown St. Pete

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A New Southern-Inspired Kitchen and Cocktail Bar Opens in Downtown St. Pete

Two weeks ago, Proper: Kitchen & Cocktails quietly fired up the smoker and began serving their southern-influenced cuisine at 344 1st Ave. South in Downtown St. Pete.  It was a great day for Stephen Schrutt, owner of Proper, as his new restaurant became jam-packed with friends and family eager to experience the new downtown eatery.  

The journey to opening day wasn't an easy one though.  The concept for Proper was originally conceived before KINGS Street Food Counter, a modern-style diner specializing in grilled cheese and street food that Schrutt opened in 2015.  Proper ended up going on the back burner while he looked for the right location.  "I didn't want to do Proper without full liquor.  It's a southern kitchen and cocktail bar.  To me, those went hand-in-hand.  However, I can say that the concept and talent in that building today is amazing," says Schrutt.

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Rowdies Announce Campaign to Bring Major League Soccer to St. Pete

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Rowdies Announce Campaign to Bring Major League Soccer to St. Pete

Tuesday night, Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards announced an ambitious campaign to bring Major League Soccer to St. Petersburg. In an electric presentation at The Birchwood in Downtown St. Pete, Edwards energized fans about the future of the team saying, “We are committed to expanding the world’s game right here in downtown St. Petersburg, and we feel strongly that joining Major League Soccer is the next logical step.”

In vying for an MLS franchise, Edwards also revealed an $80 million expansion project that would increase Al Lang Stadium’s capacity to around 18,000. 

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Social Gaming Bar to Open in Former Downtown St. Pete World of Beer

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Social Gaming Bar to Open in Former Downtown St. Pete World of Beer

Back in 2011, Stephen Schrutt moved to St. Pete with the dream of opening up his own restaurant. “I felt like the Downtown St. Pete market was growing. It was becoming its own destination in the Bay area and I wanted to be a part of it.”

He eventually decided on a location off of 1st Ave. S, despite the obvious risks. For instance, the space was one block away from the bustling Central Ave. and numerous businesses had been in and out of the block in the years prior, including a coffee shop and an Italian restaurant. However, Schrutt believed in the future of Downtown St. Pete and he believed in his concept.

Two weeks ago, theAvenue Eat+Drink celebrated their five year anniversary. Over 500 people were in attendance. And in a few weeks, Schrutt will debut not one, but two brand new concepts that will sit side-by-side next to theAvenue on 1st Ave. S. What was once a struggling block is now becoming a downtown destination.

Much has been said about Proper: Kitchen & Cocktails, the highly anticipated southern-inspired eatery with a focus on BBQ, which opens next week. Though not many people know about Schrutt’s fourth Downtown St. Pete concept, Park&Rec DTSP.

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The Richman Group Proposes 132-unit Apartment Building in St. Pete's Innovation District

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The Richman Group Proposes 132-unit Apartment Building in St. Pete's Innovation District

The Innovation District, located on southern end of Downtown St. Pete, is composed of a dense collection of higher education, healthcare, marine science, and media institutions.  District anchors include Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Bayfront Health St. Petersburg, USF St. Petersburg, SRI International, and the Poynter Institute for Media Studies.  In an effort to spark further growth, local leaders have recently teamed up to officially brand and market the up-and-coming district as a regional live-work destination for innovation and collaboration.

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