November 20, 2019

Apartment Construction Boom Spreads Throughout St. Pete

November 20, 2019/ Anthony Close

St. Petersburg is in the midst of an apartment construction boom that is, so far, showing no signs of slowing down. Nearly 2,500 multifamily rental units are currently under construction in the Sunshine City, a number which may pale in comparison to some cities, but is significant given St. Pete’s historical growth. And it may surprise people that this building boom is not just happening in the downtown core, but in other corners of the city as well.

While St. Pete Rising has previously reported on apartment projects like 1701 Central, Artistry, Vantage, and The Exchange, which are all under construction in Downtown St. Pete, there are a number of projects going vertical outside of downtown. These projects are largely concentrated in two areas: the Skyway Marina District and the Gateway area. In aggregate, these units will add thousands of new residents to St. Petersburg. Here’s a summary of multifamily apartment developments being built outside of downtown.

November 19, 2019

Moxy Hotel, Food Hall, and Coworking Make Up Mixed-Use Project Coming to The EDGE District

November 19, 2019/ Brian Zucker

A mixed-use development is coming soon to the EDGE District courtesy of Miami’s PTM Partners. The project, known as The EDGE Collective, sits on a 1.5-acre site currently home to the 4-story Furnish Me Vintage building and a surface parking lot.

Located at 1246 Central Avenue, The EDGE Collective further cements the EDGE District of Downtown St Pete as one of the most desirable up-and-coming neighborhoods in the Tampa Bay area. The Edge Collective will be anchored by a Marriott Moxy Hotel and include a co-working space operated by St. Petersburg-based Station House; a European-inspired, full-service food hall managed by the team behind the Hall on Franklin in Tampa; a midblock paseo with unique experiential features; a 7,000-square-foot outdoor garden; and 4,500 square feet of dedicated retail space.

November 18, 2019

Tombolo Books to Debut Event-Driven Indie Bookstore in St Pete Next Month

November 18, 2019/ Brian Zucker

For nearly a decade, America has been experiencing a ‘retail apocalypse’, the mass shuttering of thousands of brick and mortar stores, due in large part to the rise of Amazon and online shopping. Huge companies such as Sears, Toys R Us, and Forever 21 have all filed for bankruptcy. The way Americans shop is changing, with the latest trends being things like grocery delivery and Amazon’s same-day delivery.

But there’s one type of retailer that has bounced back after being hit hard, and actually experienced growth over the last ten years — independent bookstores. While chain book sellers like Borders and Waldenbooks have closed, indie bookstores are on the rise.

According to the American Bookseller’s Association, between 2009 and 2015, more than 570 independent bookstores opened in the U.S., representing about a 35 percent increase. Indie book shops are thriving by providing community gathering spaces, hosting events, and expanding their merchandise beyond books.

And although Downtown St Pete is home to the incredible Haslam’s Book Store, the neighborhood lacks a smaller, independent, and highly-curated bookstore. That is, until next month when Alsace Walentine opens the highly-anticipated Tombolo Books at 2153 1st Avenue South in the Grand Central District.

November 01, 2019

Team Behind Armature Works Food Hall to Take Over A Third of St Pete's Sundial

November 01, 2019/ Brian Zucker

In 2011, Bill Edwards, local businessman and CEO of The Edwards Group, bought the struggling BayWalk shopping center for $5.2 million with a grand vision to turn it into Downtown St. Petersburg’s premier destination to shop, dine and unwind; an oasis in the heart of the city’s bustling downtown center.

In May 2014, after pouring over $40 million into the renovation, Sundial arrived to much fanfare, bringing with it a slew of tenants such as Ruth's Chris Steak House, Sea Salt, Marilyn Monroe Spa, Tracy Negoshian, Diamonds Direct, Chico's and White House Black Market.

November 01, 2019

Animal Hospital to Fill Downtown Space That Was Almost a Dunkin Donuts

November 01, 2019/ Brian Zucker

A former Verizon retail store that has sat vacant for over five years will soon be home to EDGE Animal Hospital, a state-of-the-art veterinary facility. Located at 913 1st Avenue North in the EDGE District of Downtown St. Pete, the new clinic will be owned by Dr. Raul Buso, who also owns the Haines Road Animal Hospital.

As more residents continue to move into Downtown St Pete, we will begin to see more retail catering to residents, as opposed to retail for tourists or day-trippers. That means more barbershops, hardware stores, and animal hospitals in addition to restaurants, coffee shops, and bars.

Some may remember when this building almost became a Dunkin’ Donuts with a drive thru in 2018. Luckily, a large number of residents and business owners turned out to a DRC meeting in opposition and the committee listened, denying the Dunkin Donuts permission to construct a drive-thru. Soon after, Dunkin’ walked away from the deal.

October 31, 2019

Local Entrepreneurs to Transform Medical Building into Trendy Office and Restaurant

October 31, 2019/ Anthony Close

Two local entrepreneurs, Trevor Burgess and Jon Carlon, recently closed on the purchase of five lots in Downtown St. Pete with a vision to revitalize the block into trendy office space with a new ‘Celebrity Chef’ restaurant.

TRB Development, which is controlled by Burgess and Carlon, purchased the land at the southeast corner of 4th Avenue South and 6th Street South in two separate transactions for a combined $2.3 million. The first purchase occurred on August 13th for $1.6 million for three lots along 4th Avenue South while the second purchase, for two lots fronting 6th Street South, occurred on October 4th for $670 thousand.

The site is the location of a former 5,200 square foot BayCare medical office building, which closed earlier this year. That building, and surrounding lots, will be transformed into a corporate office for TRB Development and Neptune Flood, another company controlled by Burgess and Carlon.

October 22, 2019

Salt Palm Development Launches Second Project in Downtown St. Pete

October 22, 2019/ Anthony Close

When Salt Palm Development was created in 2015 they wanted to be a different type of real estate development company. Based in St. Pete, Salt Palm was declared Florida’s first real estate development Certified B Corp in 2018, meaning the company formally committed itself to having a purpose greater than just maximizing profits.

Along with being a Certified B Corp, Salt Palm is also a member of 1% for the Planet, St. Pete for Good, and is affiliated with the Florida Chapter of Conscious Capitalism. In 2019 the Company won a Sustainable Business award from The Sustany Foundation and a Conscious Business Leader award from Conscious Company Media. And in 2018 the Company was the title sponsor of St. Pete’s SHINE Mural Festival.

Salt Palm’s first multi-unit development, The Sabal, began in 2018 and was completed earlier this year. The development consisted of two four-story buildings — each containing four units. With the completion of The Sabal, Salt Palm is ready to embark on its next project: The Royal.

October 17, 2019

Downtown Developments Oct 2019: Affordable Housing to be Built Downtown and More!

October 17, 2019/ Brian Zucker

One thing is for sure — the wine scene in Downtown St Pete isn’t going anywhere. Over the past few months, a spate of wine bars have been announced for the area. Between Cellar Masters last month, and COPA and Sauvignon this month, St Petians aren’t about to go thirsty anytime soon.

Along with the updates below, plans for the 45-story 400 Central tower were submitted to the city, a new sculpture was installed outside the new police headquarters, a juice bar and eatery expanded in the EDGE, and a creole market and cafe opened in west St. Pete.

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!

October 11, 2019

Greenstock to Serve Up Chef-Inspired Salads in Downtown St Pete

October 11, 2019/ Shannon Gasper

Downtown St. Pete is chock full of great food. Whether you’re looking to grab a slice of pizza or indulge in fine dining, the options are plentiful. Yet, there are (surprisingly!) very few places to get food that is both quick and healthy.

For years I’ve been hoping for a fast-casual salad restaurant in Downtown St. Pete and now it seems I wasn’t the only one. This fall, a brand new salad concept will be joining the downtown dining scene from local restauranteurs Erica and David Benstock, along with Brooke and Peter Boyd, owners of Hype Group and Boyd Construction, respectively.

Greenstock will be located at 449 Central Avenue in a space formerly occupied by Kalamazoo Olive Oil Company and a few steps away from IL Ritorno, a modern Italian eatery the Benstock’s opened back in 2013.

October 02, 2019

Seven-story Apartment Building Planned Near Mirror Lake in Downtown St. Pete

October 02, 2019/ Anthony Close

In the midst of a surge of new multifamily development in Downtown St. Pete, a new apartment building on 4th Avenue North could soon be added to the mix.

According to a site plan application filed with the City, the owners of the land at the southeast corner of 4th Avenue North and 8th Street have submitted plans for the development of a new seven-story apartment building.

Tentatively named “770 Apartments,” the proposed development will be 81 feet in height with 126-units in a U-shaped building, which will surround a third floor interior courtyard with a private pool and resident terrace.