October 01, 2018

11-Story Boutique Hotel Unveiled for St. Pete’s EDGE District

October 01, 2018/ Brian Zucker

I have to admit, out of the entire Tampa Bay area, I spend most of my time in the EDGE District of Downtown St. Petersburg. And I’m definitely not alone. Take a stroll down Central Avenue and you’ll notice locals enjoying lattes at Intermezzo, cubans at Bodega, shopping at Ashe Couture Boutique and much more.

In fact, there is usually more activity in the EDGE District than in any other downtown neighborhood, including the downtown core. Most impressively, the growth of the area has been organic and smart, rather than overly manufactured or master-planned. It has nearly everything you’d want in an urban, walkable neighborhood. With so much character and personality, it’s no surprise that the EDGE District is on the verge of evolving from a locals-only hangout to an out-of-towner destination.

September 10, 2018

Saint James Townhomes Planned for 8th Street in Downtown St. Pete

September 10, 2018/ Anthony Close

With demand high for townhomes in Downtown St. Petersburg, it is becoming more common for projects to sell out, sometimes months, before completion. But if you’re currently in the market, you might be in luck as a new boutique development will soon be under construction on the southeast corner of 8th Street South and 3rd Avenue South.

Located just three blocks south of Central Avenue, the Saint James Townhomes will feature eight, three-story units each consisting of 1,700 square feet with 3 beds and three and a half bathrooms. The project is being developed by local developer Jay Miller, President of J2 Developers, who also developed Quattro Beach Drive and the Trader Joe’s on 4th Street.

September 05, 2018

Roll It or Bowl It at Downtown St Pete’s Newest Eatery

September 05, 2018/ Brian Zucker

After 18 months of careful planning and preparation, Pacific Counter has finally opened their doors to the public. The eatery is the latest addition to the 600 block of Central Avenue, adding poke bowls and sushi burritos to an area of town becoming increasingly known as a culinary destination.

But lets back up for a second. What is poke? By definition, ‘poke’ means ‘to cut’ in Hawaiian and it refers to diced raw, marinated fish that is tossed with veggies and umami-loaded sauces and then served over a bed of rice. You can think of it as deconstructed sushi. Or if the trend continues to rise in popularity, you could consider poke the future of sushi in America.

Pacific Counter is the brainchild of three heavy hitters in the Tampa Bay restaurant scene — Tanner Loebel, Chitthasack Noythanongsay (known as Chef Tock), and Eric Bialik. And although poke and sushi burritos are available at a few Tampa Bay restaurants, the partners at Pacific Counter take these chef-driven dishes to an entirely new level.

August 24, 2018

A midrise condo building is planned for 5th St S in Downtown St. Pete

August 24, 2018/ Anthony Close

Downtown St. Pete continues to be one of the hottest neighborhoods in Tampa Bay with nearly 1,700 residential units currently under construction and an additional 1,900 units proposed in the greater downtown area. Even with those mind boggling stats, supply is still struggling to keep up as more and more people are finding out about Downtown St. Pete.

One street that has seen significant change in the past few years is 4th Avenue South near USF St. Pete and the Innovation District. Since 2014 multiple new developments have sprouted up along this corridor including: Campbell Landings, Camden Pier District (formerly known as AER), Urban Landings, and The Sabal. Additionally, an Alabama developer is planning a 20 story condo tower on the corner of 4th Avenue S and 3rd Street S.

August 23, 2018

'No Vacancy' Makes a Reservation for The EDGE District

August 23, 2018/ Brian Zucker

We were heartbroken last month when KINGS Street Food Counter announced plans to close their modern-style diner in Downtown St. Pete’s EDGE District. The eatery premiered three years ago at 937 Central Ave amid much fanfare thanks to a menu of creatively crafted grilled cheeses and hot dogs.

At the time, owner Stephen Schrutt was taking a big risk by opening KINGS in the EDGE District, which hadn’t yet gained the popularity it has today. The restaurant did well, but was ultimately overshadowed by Schrutt’s other Downtown St Pete concepts — theAvenue and Park & Rec.

If there is a silver lining to the end of KINGS, it is what comes next. We can now confirm that a brand-new restaurant and bar concept by the Hunger + Thirst Group will be opening at 937 Central Ave — No Vacancy. Get ready to soak in those vintage Florida vibes because No Vacancy is brining everything but the sand to Downtown St. Pete!