December 04, 2019

Micro-Brewery and Restaurant Breaks Ground on Former Taco Bus Spot

December 04, 2019/ Anthony Close

A new micro-brewery and restaurant are headed to St. Pete’s up-and-coming Grand Central District.

Located next to Dog Bar, at 2324 Central Avenue, the 0.41 acre lot was purchased for $860,000 in September 2019 by Grand Central Property Holdings, a limited liability company controlled by insurance executive and philanthropist Kevin Milkey.

Shortly after closing on the land, the existing structures were demolished and plans for a two- story, 10,270 square foot development were announced. The site was previously home to a Taco Bus restaurant, which closed in September 2017.

December 03, 2019

Vendors Announced for Inaugural St. Pete Pier Marketplace

December 03, 2019/ Shannon Gasper

Since the very beginning, St. Petersburg has had a pier. In many ways, as St. Pete has grown, its pier has grown with it. From the early days of the Railroad Pier to the infamous Inverted Pyramid Pier, the St. Pete Pier has come in many forms. And now, almost ten years after then-Mayor Bill Foster recommended demolition of the Inverted Pyramid Pier, St. Pete’s next pier is nearing completion.

After multiple delays and an increase in scope, to say the new St. Pete Pier is highly anticipated would be an understatement. Unlike prior iterations of the pier, the new pier won’t just have a singular focal point, but instead will activate a large portion of the 26 acre pier district.

November 27, 2019

Hoots, a Fast-Casual Restaurant by Hooters, to Open on Downtown’s Jannus Block

November 27, 2019/ Brian Zucker

The company behind Hooters, the original “breastaurant”, will be opening one of the first locations of their new fast-casual concept, Hoots: A Hooters Joint, at 201 1st Avenue North in Downtown St Pete. The space is situated directly outside the entrance to Jannus Live and was formerly home to Jannus Market, a convenience store.

In an effort to attract a wider audience, specifically families and millennials, Hooters developed a concept called Hoots back in 2017. In addition to being fast-casual, where customers order from the counter instead of sit down for table service, Hoots also sets itself apart from Hooters by having their staff don a much more modest outfit compared to the traditional short shorts and low-cut top. Additionally, Hoots will be hiring both men and women, something Hooters has gotten flack for in the past.

November 25, 2019

St. Pete Announces Plan for Police Station Site Redevelopment

November 25, 2019/ Anthony Close

The City of St. Pete is moving forward with a proposal for the redevelopment of a prime Central Avenue block in downtown’s booming EDGE District.

Earlier this year, the St. Pete Police Department moved into a new 170,000 square foot headquarters building at 1301 1st Avenue North. The completion of the new $78.5 million facility paved the way for the redevelopment of the former police station, which sits on 2 acres directly across the street at 1300 1st Avenue North.

In January, with the new headquarters nearing completion, the City began the redevelopment process by issuing a request for proposal (RFP), inviting developers to submit their vision for the site. The RFP contained a list of items and uses that defined the type of development the city wanted to see on the site. In May, it was announced that seven groups had submitted proposals. And of those seven, two were invited to City Hall to present their proposals.

November 21, 2019

Downtown Developments Nov 2019: Seven-story Apartment Building Planned for 8th St and More!

November 21, 2019/ Brian Zucker

This city sure keeps us busy! Yet again, this month was full of new projects coming soon to St Pete. However, as we move into the holidays, look for things to slow before ramping back up again for the busy season in early 2020.

Along with the updates below, an Italian market and cafe was announced, a wine cocktail lounge opened, a barbershop re-opened, a brewery expanded, and an affordable housing tower topped out.

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!

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.