December 30, 2020

74-unit apartment building proposed for 17th Street in downtown St. Pete

December 30, 2020/ Anthony Close

Another infill apartment building that is seeking to take advantage of recent changes to the City’s parking code will go before Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) on January 7th.

Developer Tony Zhukovskyi is proposing a 74-unit development at 200 17th Street North. The building will be located less than a block away from the two other apartment buildings he recently proposed at 1750 2nd Avenue North and 1735 1st Avenue North.

In September 2019, St. Pete City Council approved a package of Land Development Regulation (LDR) changes in an effort to help reduce the cost of building housing in the city. The package of code changes was just one prong in a multifaceted approach to help address housing affordability in the Sunshine City.

December 24, 2020

204-unit apartment building proposed for Central Avenue in west St. Pete

December 24, 2020/ Anthony Close

When Gallery 3100, a 122-unit apartment building, broke ground earlier this year at 3100 Central Avenue, it marked the farthest west new multifamily development had reached since the revitalization of Central Avenue began. Located just a few blocks from 34th Street, many wondered if, or when, new development would leap over U.S. 19 and expand to west St. Petersburg. Well, it appears the westward spread will continue.

Local real estate firm DDA Development is proposing a four-story, 204-unit multifamily development on the 6000 block of Central Avenue in west St. Pete. DDA, which is led by Bowen Arnold and John Schilling, closed on the land last Friday in a $5.6 million purchase from local businessman Bill Edwards.

December 22, 2020

36-story apartment and hotel tower prepares to break ground in downtown St. Pete

December 22, 2020/ Brian Zucker

Ascent St. Petersburg, a 36-story mixed-use building planned for the northwest corner of 2nd Street and 1st Avenue North in downtown St. Pete, took a huge step forward last Friday. The developer of the project, Greystar Real Estate Partners, simultaneously closed on the land and two construction loans.

The 1.26-acre tract of land sold for just under $15.1 million, or about $12.0 million per acre. The transaction represents one of the highest prices per acre ever paid for land in downtown St. Pete.

The recent record price for land in downtown belongs to Kolter Group for their purchase of a parking lot next to the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront hotel. That sale, which occurred in October 2019, hit $12.2 million per acre. Saltaire, a 35-story condominium tower, is currently under construction on that site.

One day after Greystar closed on the land for Ascent, a fence was erected around the perimeter of the site, which is situated adjacent to the 16-story Duke Energy building and across the street from the Jannus Block, downtown’s hub for nightlife. Site preparations have already begun, and vertical construction is slated to ramp up in the new year.

December 14, 2020

Seven new businesses opening up on 4th Street's Holiday Motel site

December 14, 2020/ Brian Zucker

Businesses are beginning to open at a new 15,000 square foot retail strip at 4th Street North and 24th Avenue that was recently constructed following the demolition of the former Holiday Motel. As of today, seven of the nine retail spaces are leased.

The Holiday Motel was built back in the 1940’s when Fourth Street was home to 95 roadside motels and known as “the longest motel street in the world.” At the time, before the construction of I-275, 4th Street was seen as the primary tourist route into downtown St. Pete.

However, as the motel owners dealt with the difficulty of operating the motels and battling crime the motels attracted, many owners decided to cash out and sell to developers. By 1985, about half of the motels were gone. Only a few still remain today with many catering to longtime residents instead of tourists.

December 07, 2020

The Collective, a wellness studio, brings yoga and meditation to 4th Street

December 07, 2020/ Stephanie Stott

A place to cultivate one’s inner zen might just be what 2020 ordered--and The Collective certainly delivers. For new yogis to seasoned experts alike, this space has something for everyone.

There’s something special about the Sunshine City--and Brittany George, co-owner of St. Pete’s newest wellness studio and gathering space, noticed. “The energy of the city was palpable,” George said. “There always seemed to be something going on and it felt like an inspiring place to be full time.”

After moving here nine years ago, George has certainly been busy, transforming from curious yoga student to resourceful wellness instructor. Add a certification in Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine), and it’s clear she has an overarching goal in mind: connecting the mind, body, and spirit.

December 04, 2020

Sorrento Sweets to bring Italian desserts and coffee to downtown St. Pete

December 04, 2020/ Stephanie Stott

A haven for St. Pete sugar-lovers is coming soon to 667 Central Avenue—and it’s all thanks to Sorrento Sweets.

The space was formerly home to Brew D Licious, a beloved coffee shop and 600 block staple for nine years before their closure in April amid COVID-19 struggles. The owners of Sorrento Sweets realize they have big shoes to fill, but couldn’t be more excited to join the downtown St. Pete community.

"As a Tampa Bay local, I've always loved St. Pete’s passion for coffee and support of small businesses," says Managing Parter Joseph Kelly. “Sorrento Sweets is ecstatic about bringing its authentic Italian desserts and coffee to St. Petersburg after looking for over a year for the perfect location."

December 01, 2020

Renderings reveal 28-story DeNunzio Group project at 450 1st Avenue North

December 01, 2020/ Anthony Close

The redevelopment of a surface parking lot in the heart of downtown St. Pete is closer to becoming a reality.

Back in February 2019, The DeNunzio Group, which is led by developer Dustin DeNunzio, entered into a contract with Christ United Methodist Church to purchase a 0.65 acre site at the southeast corner of 1st Avenue North and 5th Street

The church was in need of capitalization and began exploring the sale after determining the value of the underutilized land.

In December 2019, The DeNunzio Group closed on the lot for $5.3 million. To activate the parcel, the group is proposing a true mixed-use building unlike anything else offered downtown, with a range of uses including retail, office, hotel, residential, and public parking.

November 27, 2020

Bodega just opened a secret cocktail bar behind their restaurant

November 27, 2020/ Brian Zucker

Around 7PM on Wednesday night, the Bodega on Central Instagram account posted a story that read, “A little brass birdie said there is a hidden door in the back of Bodega, slide it open to see what’s in store!”

I had to investigate. So, I drove to the Cuban joint’s beautiful new space located at 1180 Central Avenue in the EDGE District. The employees were tidying up and getting ready to close, but I walked to the back of the restaurant towards an unmarked sliding door near the restrooms.

Once I stepped inside, I was transported to what felt like an upscale, modern cocktail bar in Havana, Cuba. The space, which I learned is called Bar Chica, has gorgeous teal-colored walls, matching teal chairs, brass tables and bar top, and light brown leather booth seating.

The bar has an intimate vibe and only room for about 20 people inside, including five seats at the bar.

November 23, 2020

Buddy Brew Coffee is finally opening a café in St. Pete

November 23, 2020/ Brian Zucker

The 1,820 square foot coffee shop and café will be the eighth location for Buddy Brew Coffee and the first in Pinellas County. Owners Susan and Dave Ward currently operate five locations in Tampa (with a sixth on the way) and one in Sarasota.

The new outpost will be located at 2424 4th Street North in a new retail strip that was constructed following the demolition of the former Holiday Motel.

What started out as a hobby of roasting coffee beans at home has become a successful business spanning numerous cafés and Buddy Brew products in Publix stores all over the state of Florida.

November 16, 2020

The Chelsea, a new coffee shop, is coming soon to St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District

November 16, 2020/ Brian Zucker

A new coffee shop is coming soon to the Warehouse Arts District of St. Pete that mixes the style of a big-city locale with a friendly, casual Florida vibe and local St. Petersburg flavor.

The Chelsea will be located at 2462 5th Avenue South. Florida native and longtime St. Pete resident Teresa Vidal Chalkley has been working on this concept for years alongside her husband and business partner Jamie Chalkley and they are nearly ready to debut it to the public.

The coffee shop itself will operate out of a modestly sized 800 square foot building, but the 2,000 square foot outdoor courtyard is where The Chelsea will really shine.