June 14, 2019

Downtown Developments June 2019: Burgers from Israel Coming to DTSP and More!

June 14, 2019/ Brian Zucker

Despite the blisteringly hot weather, May was a good month for St. Pete. In addition to the exciting things we’ve highlighted below, Hometown Crepes and Baum Mi started serving food at Baum Avenue Market, a new liquor store opened in the EDGE District, and seven proposals were submitted to replace the old Police HQ.

As many of you are aware, we write a column every month called Downtown Developments for Green Bench Monthly, a local community magazine. In the column, we highlight everything coming soon to Downtown St. Pete, including new restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. We also reveal new tower renderings, announce townhome projects, and much more. A few months ago, we started publishing that column right here on St. Pete Rising, in addition to Green Bench Monthly!

Want the news first? Be sure to follow us! Most of what we discuss in Downtown Developments has already been posted to either our website, newsletter, Facebook, or Instagram. With Downtown Developments, you’ll never miss the latest Downtown St. Pete news.

June 10, 2019

Chabad to Build $5 Million Jewish Center in Downtown St. Pete

June 10, 2019/ Brian Zucker

The Chabad Jewish Center of Greater St. Petersburg recently purchased a 1/2 acre parcel of land on the outskirts of Downtown St Pete at 533 4th Street North. The organization paid $1.7 million for the land, which will be the future home of The Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning.

A two-story 10,000 SF building will be constructed on the site, including a dedicated parking lot. “It aims to be a welcoming place where every Jewish citizen in our community will feel right at home,” says Chabad’s Rabbi Alter Korf. The new facility will be a great addition to Downtown St. Pete, where there are currently zero Jewish synagogues or community centers.

Chabad is one of the largest Hasidic groups and Jewish religious organizations in the world, particularly known for its outreach activities. In 2005, the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs reported that up to one million Jews attend Chabad services at least once a year.

June 05, 2019

Social Roost Will Be a Poultry Lover’s Paradise in Downtown St. Pete

June 05, 2019/ Brian Zucker

New window decals were installed last week revealing another concept coming soon to the recently completed ONE St Petersburg condo tower in Downtown St. Pete. Social Roost Kitchen and Bar will be a poultry lover’s paradise, featuring chicken in every way, including fried, grilled, blackened, roasted, and more.

The upscale casual restaurant concept is the creation of Jason Teabout and Rob Bowen, both of whom grew up in St. Pete. Rob is an interior designer, who started a design firm in Downtown St. Pete 12 years ago and Jason just retired from 24 years in the military.

Jason and Rob describe Social Roost as a personal passion project and a love letter to St. Pete. “We adore Downtown St. Pete,” says Rob. “This is our way of giving back to the community.”

May 22, 2019

Contemporary Townhomes Planned for Historic Kenwood

May 22, 2019/ Anthony Close

The downtown development boom is starting to have a ripple effect on the areas surrounding the downtown core. Neighborhoods like the Grand Central District, Warehouse Arts District, and EDGE District have all benefited from Downtown St. Pete’s increasing popularity. And as these communities continue to evolve, they’ve started to develop distinct identities and personalities of their own.

The Grand Central District, for example, is a growing, creative, and bohemian collection of 350 locally owned and operated businesses, including merchants, restaurants, bars, art galleries, professional services, and health and wellness providers. The neighborhood is located just west of Downtown St Pete with boundaries between 31st Street to 16th Street, and includes Central Avenue, 1st Avenue North and 1st Avenue South.

Many of the small businesses that would have once eyed the 600 block are instead looking west down Central Avenue due to significantly cheaper rents. While this shift is seen as a negative by many, the businesses moving into the district have reactivated buildings, and even entire blocks, that have sat underutilized or vacant for decades.