August 27, 2019

Soda Pop and Candy Shop to Open on Downtown’s 600 Block

August 27, 2019/ Brian Zucker

A wooden construction fence went up at 668 Central Avenue last week signaling the start of interior construction of Rocket Fizz, a new soda pop and candy shop. The 1,300 square foot space was formerly home to Daddy Kool Records, which has since moved to the Warehouse Arts District.

In the past few years, the 600 block has become home to a slew of new businesses. Newcomers include Maple Street Biscuit Company, Pacific Counter, and Brass Bowl, and coming soon is Hopdoddy Burger Bar.

Reminiscent of old fashioned candy shops, Rocket Fizz will offer a gigantic selection of candy that’ll send you back in time to when you were a kid. The company prides themselves on stocking candy that is rare to find or in limited production by various manufacturers, such as those that were popular during the 1960s to 1980s. Some of the best-selling items at other locations include Charleston Chew, Abba-Zaba, candy cigarettes, giant gummy bears, and Japanese imported candies.

August 19, 2019

Downtown Developments August 2019: 36-Story Condo & Hotel Tower Announced and More!

August 19, 2019/ Brian Zucker

The summer is usually St. Pete’s slow season, but this July was jam-packed with Downtown St. Pete news. Along with the updates in this month's Downtown Developments, an expansion of the Museum of History was announced, plans move forward for the old Police HQ, a senior housing development is coming to the Tyrone area, and a fire broke out at a popular downtown restaurant, which prompted a temporary relocation.

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!

August 16, 2019

35-Story Saltaire Moves Forward with Council Approval

August 16, 2019/ Anthony Close

A condominium tower proposed for Downtown St. Pete moved one step closer to reality with an important approval from St. Pete City Council. Yesterday afternoon, City Council reviewed the plans for Saltaire, a 35-story condo tower proposed for the parking lot of the Bayfront Hilton Hotel, for consistency with the Intown Redevelopment Plan (IRP).

The Intown Redevelopment Plan is a revitalization plan that was adopted in 1982 in order to facilitate public and private investment in Downtown St. Pete. Simply put, the IRP is a framework for new development in downtown.

August 13, 2019

Better Than Sex to Bring Naughty Desserts to St. Pete

August 13, 2019/ Brian Zucker

It’s hard to believe that one of the most prominent restaurants in Key West doesn’t serve breakfast, lunch or dinner — just dessert. And in true Key West fashion, the restaurant is very risqué.

Len and Dani Johnson wanted to create an after-dinner dessert experience, an extension of an evening in a romantic, sophisticated, and sexy atmosphere. And so in 2008, they introduced Key West to Better Than Sex, a full-service dessert restaurant offering sexy sweets in an intimately themed setting.

After much success over the past 11 years, Better Than Sex’s fifth outpost is coming soon to Downtown St Pete’s EDGE District. The exact address hasn’t been revealed yet, but owner Joshua Brush revealed to St. Pete Rising that the EDGE District location will be about 2,500 square feet.

August 12, 2019

12-Story Condo Project Proposed Near Beach Drive in St. Pete

August 12, 2019/ Anthony Close

A local developer with deep ties to Downtown St. Petersburg has proposed a 12-story condominium building on 4th Avenue NE adjacent to one of their past projects.

JMC Communities, which previously developed Ovation, a 26-story building at 140 Beach Drive, The Florencia, a 21-story building at 100 Beach Drive, and Rowland Place, a 6-story building at 146 4th Avenue NE, has announced its latest project: The Perry.

The proposed 20-unit condo tower is planned for 136 4th Avenue NE, just west of Rowland Place and less than a block from bustling Beach Drive. Currently, the location is home to the Bay Gables house, a 1910-built Vernacular home which features both Colonial and Queen Anne architectural elements.

August 08, 2019

St. Pete’s Urban Style Flats Transformed into The Wayland

August 08, 2019/ Anthony Close

Back in January 2018, Atlas Real Estate Partners purchased Downtown St. Pete’s Urban Style Flats apartment complex for just over $46 million. The property consists of three connected buildings with a total of 481-units at 300 10th Street South, on the western edge of downtown near Tropicana Field. By number of units, it is by far the largest apartment complex in Downtown St. Pete.

In purchasing the property, the new owners were well aware of its baggage. To locals, the property was seen as tired and outdated. And for those who lived there, the building lacked modern amenities like air-conditioned hallways and inviting common areas. Urban Style Flats had a stigma and it was one that was severely impacting the long-term success of the property.

Atlas set out to change its reputation, but they knew it would take a major overhaul. So in late 2018, they began a multi-million dollar series of renovations, both interior and exterior, to completely transform the property. And results are finally starting to roll in.

August 07, 2019

Book + Bottle to Bring Bookstore-Bar Concept to 600 Block

August 07, 2019/ Brian Zucker

When you consider all the retail in Downtown St. Pete, it’s amazing that we don’t have a small independent bookstore. Sure there’s Haslam’s, Florida’s largest new and used book store which opened in 1933, but you can’t really hang out there. They have no tables or chairs, no coffee or tea, no bookclubs or storytime. Haslam’s is living history, but it’s not a community gathering space.

Owner Terra Dunham has recently embarked on an adventure to bring St. Pete a new concept featuring two of her favorite activities – reading books and drinking wine. She calls it Book + Bottle. You can think of it as a bookstore with wine or a wine bar with books.

Earlier this week, Dunham signed a lease to bring Book + Bottle to the 600 block of Downtown St. Pete. Specifically, the new bookstore/wine bar will be located at 17 6th Street North, formerly Holmes Shoe Repair, right behind Wig Villa off Central Avenue.

August 06, 2019

The Shave Cave to Relocate, Expand in Downtown St Pete

August 06, 2019/ Brian Zucker

As with all great business ventures, it started with a dream. In Max Glazer’s case, his dream was to bring back the classic early 1900’s barber shop.

After the great recession hit in 2008, Glazer moved from Suffern, NY to St. Pete and spent the next few years brainstorming and working on the concept of a vintage barber shop offering high-end services paired with a new product line he had been developing.

In 2014, Glazer found a space for lease at the newly completed Sundial St. Pete, and seized the opportunity. After contacting the Edward’s Group, he was given the chance to pitch his idea to Mr. Edwards. His dream was quickly becoming a reality.

July 30, 2019

$7 Million Expansion Planned for St. Petersburg Museum of History

July 30, 2019/ Brian Zucker

As the St Pete Pier construction continues, hurtling towards an early 2020 debut, the St Petersburg Museum of History has announced plans to renovate the existing museum and construct an 8,000 square foot addition.

The expansion will make way for a state-of-the-art exhibit gallery showcasing the history of St. Pete and Florida, a visitor’s center and rooftop terrace overlooking the waterfront.

“We have the opportunity to create a premier museum that not only shares the history of the Sunshine City, but also the unique history of the entire state right here in St. Petersburg,” said Executive Director Rui Farias. “Our goal is to create a visitor experience that will educate, entertain and leave our guests wanting to come back for more.”

July 29, 2019

Redevelopment of St. Pete’s Former Police Station Moves Forward

July 29, 2019/ Anthony Close

A prime city-owned block on Central Avenue is moving one step closer to redevelopment with the narrowing down of potential proposals. Back in January, the City of St. Petersburg issued a request for proposal (RFP) for the purchase and development of the property located at 1300 1st Avenue North in the EDGE District. The property is the site of the former headquarters of the St. Pete Police Department, which moved into a new building across the street earlier this year.

The RFP contained a list of items and uses, both required and preferred, that defined the type of development the city envisions for the site. The ultimate goal of the RFP was to attract proposals that were mixed-use in nature with retail, office, mixed-income housing, civic/park space, and possibly a hotel.

Submissions were due on May 10th and the city received a total of seven proposals, which featured a range of concepts from national developers and local groups. One common denominator across the proposals is the inclusion of ground floor retail and public parking, both of which were high on the city’s priority list for the site.