September 24, 2019

Annata Alum to Open Restaurant and Wine Bar on Jannus Block

September 24, 2019/ Brian Zucker

Thousands of people walk down the 200 block of Central Avenue every day. Passing by Caddy’s and Mandarin Hide, then by Oyster Bar and Central Cigars. Yet I’m willing to bet that most of you have never ventured down the dimly lit corridor and up a set of stairs nestled between Five Bucks Drinkery and Del Mar Gastro Lounge. Maybe you’ve walked by it hundreds of times without even noticing it was there.

Currently the narrow passage leads to the St. Pete Tattoo Company and a recently shuttered wine bar. However, in a few months, you’ll have a reason to never pass that little alley ever again.

Chris Ciarcia, the former manager of Annata Wine Bar on Beach Drive, will debut Sauvignon: Wine Locker and American Trattoria, an all-new concept he has developed just for Downtown St. Pete, in a spot previously occupied by A Taste For Wine at 241 Central Avenue.

September 20, 2019

Celebrity Chef Announces Italian Restaurant for Downtown St. Pete

September 20, 2019/ Anthony Close

The First Block of Downtown St. Pete has always been a center for nightlife in the downtown core. It’s the epicenter of downtown’s wildly popular monthly First Friday event, providing a little something for everyone at bars such as Mandarin Hide, Five Bucks Drinkery, and Pelican Pub. But many people who visit the First Block often gaze across Central Avenue and see unactivated space.

On the south side of the First Block lies 200 Central, a 26-story, 295,000 square foot Class A office tower that is home to companies like iQor, Merrill Lynch, and Trenam Law, among others. The building is also the tallest office tower in St. Pete and Pinellas County.

While the ground floor was originally envisioned as retail or restaurant space, it has been used as office space for decades. Until recently, the majority of the office tower’s Central Avenue frontage was home to a Raymond James & Associates office.

However this will soon change with the introduction of a high-end Italian restaurant being developed by Nocturnal Hospitality Group and a celebrity chef from Bravo’s “Top Chef” TV show.

September 16, 2019

Downtown Developments Sept 2019: A Dessert Restaurant Announced and More!

September 16, 2019/ Brian Zucker

With everything going on in Downtown St. Pete last month, this column could’ve easily been twice as long. As always, we’re here to bring you the CliffsNotes, by sharing what we feel are the most significant stories from the past month.

Along with the updates below, a handful of new businesses opened including a sauna studio, an art gallery, a boba tea cafe, a waterfront restaurant, and a restaurant and bar serving global tapas. Additionally, an apartment development wrapped up construction and began move-ins, a proposed condo tower gained Council’s approval, and an older apartment community announced major renovations. Lastly, we learned about the future expansion of a local men’s barbershop.

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!

September 16, 2019

St. Pete Housing Affordability Initiatives Move Forward with Council Approval

September 16, 2019/ Anthony Close

In covering urban development across St. Pete, we receive a lot of questions and comments regarding the future of our city.

Sometimes we hear feedback about a new restaurant or get asked when a previously proposed development will break ground. But one topic seems to come up over and over again — the lack of affordable housing and rising housing costs in St Petersburg. These questions are tough because the answers are bigger than any one project or solution.

Over the past 18 months the City of St. Pete’s Planning and Development Services department has been working on a series of three change packages that will update the City’s Land Development Regulations (LDRs) and Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan). These charges are part of the City’s response to increased concerns over housing affordability.

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.