September 12, 2019

The Body Electric to Open New Athletic Facility in St. Pete

September 12, 2019/ Brian Zucker

Back in 2013, Jenny Miller and Katelyn Grady founded The Body Electric Yoga Company with a mission to improve the health and happiness of St Pete residents by offering accessible, high-quality yoga instruction in a supportive and beautiful environment.

After steady growth, the studio, which is located at 3015 7th Street North, expanded by 4,500 square feet in 2016. Today, The Body Electric, affectionately known as The BE, serves more than 1,000 yogis a week, making it one of most popular yoga studios in Tampa Bay.

Now the time has come for The Body Electric to embark on the next chapter in their journey, an all-new facility dubbed The Body Electric Athletic Company. Set in the Warehouse Arts District, the 15,600 square foot building is located at 655 31st Street South and was purchased in July of this year for $840,000.

September 11, 2019

Affordable Housing Redevelopment Proposed for 5th Avenue North

September 11, 2019/ Anthony Close

A 22-unit affordable housing complex on 5th Avenue North will soon be rebuilt from the ground up according to plans which were recently approved by St. Pete’s Development Review Commission (DRC).

Last Wednesday, Boley Centers, a provider of community-based services and affordable housing in Pinellas, Manatee, Pasco and Sarasota counties, received approval for the redevelopment of an existing affordable housing project at on the northwest corner of 5th Avenue North and Grove Street in Historic Uptown.

Currently the site houses the Butterfly Apartments, a 12-unit building at 715 5th Avenue N, and the Grove Street Apartments, a 10-unit building at 508 Grove Street N. The buildings were built in 1925 and 1950, respectively, and have been owned by Boley Centers for the past 24 years.

September 09, 2019

Brothers from South St Pete to Introduce Wine Cocktails to EDGE District

September 09, 2019/ Brian Zucker

There is no slowdown in sight for the EDGE District. As more residents move into the neighborhood, new businesses are sprouting up left and right. Today, we introduce you to Copa, a wine cocktail lounge coming soon to 1047 Central Avenue, formerly home to Genaro’s Cafe.

The concept is being brought to life by two brothers from South Saint Petersburg, Maxim and Sébastien Thurière. Their goal is to offer a refreshing spin on wine and beer cocktails. Besides sangria, most people have a limited experience blending wine with other beverages, but Copa wants to change that.

Maxim and Sébastien also want to redefine your definition of a wine bar. “When you think of a wine bar, you typically think of a dark, cave-like space,” says Maxim. “We want to bring an upbeat ambient vibe to the wine bar — something to attract the younger crowd.” Both Maxim and Sébastien are pretty young themselves, both under 30 years old.

September 05, 2019

400 Central Submits Plans to the City, Reveals New Rendering

September 05, 2019/ Brian Zucker

Downtown St. Pete’s next skyscraper has moved one step closer to breaking ground. Earlier today, Red Apple Real Estate submitted a site plan application to the city for a major development at 400 Central Avenue.

Although announced back in 2016, the project has undergone multiple design iterations. According to the submitted site plan, the development will be anchored by a 45-story condo tower situated next to a 20-story hotel. 400 Central is expected to eclipse the current tallest skyscraper in Pinellas County, a 41-story ONE St Petersburg, which was completed in 2018.

The condo component will consist of approximately 300 one to four bedroom residences with wrap-around balconies and magnificent water views. The residential tower’s first-class amenities will include an expansive landscaped sundeck (with a pool, outdoor kitchen, dining space and dog park), a fitness center, spa and lounge. The orientation of the residential tower will allow for views of both Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

August 29, 2019

EDGE District’s First Dedicated Wine Bar Opening Soon

August 29, 2019/ Brian Zucker

Over the past few years, the EDGE District has become a hub for nightlife in Tampa Bay. The district boasts a myriad of hangouts for beer lovers and cocktail aficionados. But have you noticed what’s surprisingly missing? A wine bar! However that won’t be the case for much longer.

The neighborhood’s first dedicated wine bar, named CellarMasters, is planning to open inside of a 2,190 square foot free-standing building located at 1005 1st Avenue North, a few doors down from The Bends, a popular dive bar.

CellarMasters is the creation of local residents Ryan Rugg, a Certified Wine Specialist, and Kory Lynn, the resident Certified Sommelier. According to Rugg, “We want to provide a comfortable and eclectic experience that no other businesses are currently offering in the EDGE District.”

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.