January 24, 2019

Kolter Group Reveals Second Condo Project in Downtown St. Pete

January 24, 2019/ Anthony Close

When the 41-story ONE St. Petersburg project was announced in June 2014, it was billed as a catalyst project for Downtown St. Pete. The CEO of the Kolter Group and developer behind the project, Bobby Julien, was quoted as saying, “[St. Pete’s] downtown is emerging as one of the nation's special urban centers, and we are excited to be a part of its future.”

But despite Julien’s excitement, many wondered whether St. Pete was ready for a project of this magnitude. How would these units be received in the market?

Back then there was a sense of emergence, a feeling that Downtown St. Pete was on the brink of something special in the creation of a livable and workable urban center. In 2014, it wasn’t quite there yet, but it was close.

Flash forward nearly five years later and construction is just wrapping up on 450 foot tower, now the city’s tallest building. Every single one of its 253 condominium residences sold out over six months before completion, and many have hit the resale market, some with nearly 42% premiums.

January 15, 2019

Elements on Third Brings New Residents to Historic Kenwood

January 15, 2019/ Meiko Seymour

Located just west of Downtown St. Pete, Historic Kenwood has always been a place of community with charming bungalows, front porches, and tree-lined streets. As Downtown St. Pete has grown over the years, so has the demand for housing in and around the neighborhood. In 2016, a report noted Historic Kenwood’s zip code as being one of the hottest areas in Tampa Bay for house flipping.

Especially in the western portion of neighborhood, the change could not be more evident. While the western side of Historic Kenwood, specifically south of 5th Avenue North and west of 31st Street, is primarily commercial properties, the rest of the neighborhood predominantly consists of single-family homes.

January 08, 2019

City of St. Pete Seeks Proposals for Prime Central Avenue Block

January 08, 2019/ Anthony Close

A city-owned Central Avenue block may soon be sold for redevelopment. Yesterday, the City of St. Pete released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the purchase and development of a property located at 1300 1st Avenue North. The site is currently home to the St. Pete Police Department headquarters, which was originally built in the 1950’s and expanded in the 1970’s. A new 170,000 square foot headquarters is currently under construction across the street at 1301 1st Avenue North and will open later this year.

The two-acre site recently appraised for $6.6 million and sits in the middle of the EDGE District, one of Downtown St. Pete’s fastest growing neighborhoods. According to the EDGE District Master Plan, which was released in December 2016, this parcel has the potential to be a catalyst project — attracting additional development and serving as an end cap for a future Baum Avenue pedestrian streetscape.

January 04, 2019

Plant+Love Ice Cream Starts Churning in the EDGE District

January 04, 2019/ Brian Zucker

Less than six months ago, Matthew Matchin was working on opening a vegan ice cream shop in Charlotte, NC when he received a call from a high school friend in Pennsylvania.

“Hey I’m driving down to St. Pete to visit Matt! I’ll be passing right through Charlotte. Do you want to come hang out with us for a few days?”

Always down for a new adventure, Matchin agreed. Ten days after returning home to Charlotte, he bought a one-way ticket back to St. Pete. “I absolutely love this city,” says Matchin. “When I visited, I realized how active the vegan community is here. And I also noticed there were no vegan ice cream shops. Not to mention the weather — it’s warm year-round and perfect for ice cream.”

December 07, 2018

Blue Lotus to Rise 19-Stories at 100 4th Ave N in Downtown St. Pete

December 07, 2018/ Anthony Close

Downtown St. Pete’s urban core continues to expand with the introduction of the Blue Lotus condominiums at the southwest corner of 4th Avenue North and 1st Street North. Arclight Development Group is proposing a 19-story boutique high-rise which will feature 18 residential units including a three level penthouse.

The project is proposed for the site of a 24-story condominium concept which was shot down by the Development Review Commission and City Council earlier this year. Since that setback, developer Michel Regignano has worked to envision a project that is more compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.