October 18, 2018

Community-Driven Weekly Market Launches in Downtown St Pete

October 18, 2018/ Brian Zucker

Lauren Segedin and her husband, Matthew, have lived in St. Pete for six years, and she admits, “We both think this is the happiest place we’ve ever lived.” I’ve only been talking to Lauren for a minute, but I can tell she’s caught the bug. I contracted it a while ago. Most of my friends and my wife have it too. After all, it’s highly contagious. I’m referring to the St. Pete bug.

It’s a narrative I’ve heard over and over. Someone moves to St. Pete, they fall in love with the city, and then they don’t want to leave. But why? What makes St. Pete so special? Lauren believes it has to do with the community. I’d have to agree.

For Lauren, just loving the city wasn’t enough. She felt the need to give back. Her first gift to St. Pete came by way of Chicago, where her college roommate started the American Bocce Company. After witnessing how bocce ball was building community and social engagement in the Windy City, Lauren felt she had to bring the concept back to St. Pete.

And so last year, Lauren and her husband started St Pete’s first and only bocce ball league. The league still meets every Monday night, where everyone enjoys drinks, friendly camaraderie, and two games of bocce ball.

October 11, 2018

Local Architecture Firm Proposes Modern HQ Expansion on St. Pete's Mirror Lake

October 11, 2018/ Anthony Close

One of St. Petersburg’s most recognizable architecture firms is expanding its downtown headquarters with the construction of a 34,000 square foot mixed-use building adjacent to its current headquarters.

Wannemacher Jensen Architects, which was founded in 1992 by Lisa Wannemacher, has been located on Downtown St. Pete’s Mirror Lake since 1998. And over time the company has grown from three to 23 employees, including the addition of Principal, and part namesake, Jason Jensen in 2002.

The firm has also expanded its offerings, which now includes interior design, design-build, development, and even entertainment services such as designing stage lighting and set installation. They also have a construction company: WJ Create.

October 09, 2018

Opening Date Revealed for Downtown St. Pete's Dr. BBQ

October 09, 2018/ Brian Zucker

It’s been over two long years since we first broke the news of Dr. BBQ coming to Downtown St Pete. And now the day has finally come. We have an opening date — October 17th. Located in the trendy EDGE District of St. Petersburg at 1101 1st Avenue South, Dr. BBQ is a New American smokehouse that celebrates regional and international ingredients by combining diverse flavors from around the world into classic barbecue dishes with a twist.

Dr. BBQ’s menu features dishes influenced by barbecue techniques seen not only across the country, but also across the globe. Diners can expect a range of flavors, including sauces like Korean gochujang and North African harissa. While Dr. BBQ will have a wide variety of meat including Certified Angus Beef and Compart Duroc pork, the menu will also be inclusive for guests of all diets, offering vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes beyond the usual salad and mac and cheese.

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.