February 09, 2021

St. Pete Community Oasis to bring food, drink, and acceptance to south St. Pete

February 09, 2021/ Amy Kochek

At the far southwest corner of USF St. Pete’s campus at 1055 4th Street South, stands a light grey, unassuming building that will soon be renovated into the St. Pete Community Oasis. The Oasis will introduce a shared space business model led by Community Café who used to call Central Avenue home. With an anticipated April 2021 opening, the concept will be an exceptional addition to south St. Pete along with other businesses migrating to the area as well.

St. Pete natives who were frequent customers to the Community Café’s old location at 2444 Central Avenue, which will soon be home to Valkyrie Doughnuts, owned by Celine Duvoisin of Valhalla Bakery, will remember its cozy vibes, vegan-friendly food options, comfortable workspace, community events and most of all, a sense of unconditional acceptance. The good news is, these will still be the foundation for the Community Oasis, but even better is what’s being added.

February 05, 2021

EDGE Collective Urban Market Place debuts this weekend in downtown St. Pete

February 05, 2021/ Brian Zucker

In October 2019, Miami-based PTM Partners paid $13 million to purchase a 31,000 square foot building, which formerly housed Furnish Me Vintage, along with an adjacent 1.25-acre surface parking lot at 1246 Central Avenue in the EDGE District of downtown St. Pete.

Soon after acquiring the property, PTM proposed a mixed-use development called the EDGE Collective, which consisted of a Marriott Moxy hotel, a food hall, and coworking space. However, in the wake of COVID-19, the project may undergo a reconfiguration.

“We are currently working on the pre-development and design for the EDGE Collective and remain very excited about bringing this mixed-use development to the district,” says Michael Tillman, President of PTM Partners. “We are consciously evaluating how things may change in a post-COVID-19 world and are incorporating those concepts into our development plan.”

February 04, 2021

357 Apartments use zoning changes to bring quality, affordable small-unit housing downtown

February 04, 2021/ Samantha Flanagan

Construction will soon begin on a new multi-unit apartment building with retail space at 357 5th Street South in downtown St. Pete that will have minimal parking as a result of recent changes to development regulations.

The five-story, $5 million project, developed by 357 5th Street South LLC and designed by Place Architecture, will consist of 25 residential units, including three studio units and 22 one-bedroom units that range in size from 597 to 738 square feet, as well as a rooftop terrace and 727 square feet of retail space for one retailer to occupy on the first floor. LEMA Construction, a St. Pete-based general contractor who has become a market leader for infill projects like 357 Apartments, will build the project.

February 03, 2021

415-unit apartment development approved for 4th Street North in St. Pete

February 03, 2021/ Anthony Close

A Naples-based developer is hoping to bring more apartments to 4th Street North in St. Petersburg. Plans for a previously approved multifamily development along 54th Avenue North between 1st Street and 4th Street were recently modified to allow more apartments on the site.

In June 2020, Stock Development acquired a 19.79 acre parcel at 5475 3rd Lane North for $10.8 million from St Pete 454 LLC, an entity controlled by developer Grady Pridgen. The purchase was another milestone in a multi-year effort to redevelop the former Venetian Motor Home Court site which was formerly home to 150 mobile home units.

February 02, 2021

Duo from Italy opening authentic Neapolitan pizzeria and wine bar in downtown St. Pete

February 02, 2021/ Stephanie Stott

What do a queen and pizza dough have to do with St. Pete, Florida?
Answer: an upcoming pizzeria and wine bar aptly named Original Flavor 1889.

Soon, you won’t have to go far to get a slice of an Italian classic, the Neapolitan pizza, which is characterized by a super thin base with a crispy but light and airy crust. Thanks to Melissa Mihok at Barkett Realty, who represented the landlord, Original Flavor will be coming soon to 409 Central Avenue, which was formerly home to Bombay Grill.

The new pizzeria will be brimming with tradition – all the way down to the prep work. Made only with imported ingredients, every splash of flavor honors an authentic taste. And while you’re rejoicing over unprocessed food, there’s a history lesson happening on the other side of the bar.

February 01, 2021

Zubrick Magic Theatre reveals plans to open in downtown St. Pete this Summer

February 01, 2021/ Brian Zucker

St. Pete is already a magical place. We enjoy some of the best weather in the world, our city supports local businesses as if it was a religion, and the people here are the friendliest you’ll ever met. But the Sunshine City is about to get a lot more magical.

Award-winning illusionists, Chris and Ryan Zubrick, will be opening the Zubrick Magic Theatre in St. Pete this summer.

After a successful 13-year run overseas, where the duo performed over 7,500 shows for more than 2 million people, Chris and Ryan decided to bring their astonishing brand of magic and grand illusion back to the mainland.

January 29, 2021

A Year of Rising: Here’s What’s Planned for Downtown St. Pete in 2021

January 29, 2021/ Brian Zucker

After 2020 seemed like a never-ending year, we are optimistic about what 2021 will bring for St. Pete. There is no doubt that COVID-19 had, and will continue to have, an impact on commercial real estate all over the United States -- and St. Pete is no exception. Last year several developments in downtown St. Pete were paused, put on hold, or cancelled entirely due to the impact of the COVID-19. However, despite the pandemic, there has continued to be developer interest in the area and we expect downtown St. Pete to fare well in 2021.

This year, after much delay, the Museum of the American Arts of Crafts Movement (MAACM) should open the public. The 5-story $90 million museum was slated to open in 2020, but COVID-19 caused delays in the production construction materials needed for completion. Once open, the MAACM will be the only in the world dedicated to the historic American Arts and Crafts Movement. The museum will feature a multi-story atrium, a circular staircase, 40,000 square feet of gallery space, and a 9,000-square-foot destination restaurant.

January 28, 2021

The Twisted Indian is opening a restaurant in the Grand Central District

January 28, 2021/ Amy Kochek

If you are a regular at the bustling Saturday Morning Market (pre-COVID) or found yourself popping into what once was Baum Avenue Market in the EDGE District, the name “The Twisted Indian,” should bring a warm smile to your face. But as outdoor markets and food trucks were put on hold and Baum Avenue Market transitioned into single tenant space occupied by Karma Juice Bar and Eatery, the delicious Indian fare seemed to almost disappear in an instant.

Well, we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief as we gear up to welcome The Twisted Indian into its first brick and mortar location at 2639 Central Avenue, which is slated to host its grand opening in April.

January 27, 2021

Seven proposals revealed for the redevelopment of the 86-acre Tropicana Field site

January 27, 2021/ Anthony Close

Yesterday, the City of St. Petersburg and Mayor Kriseman released seven submissions of the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site in downtown St. Pete.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Mayor Kriseman also reported on recent discussions the City has had with the Rays. Owner Stu Sternberg had pitched a plan to Kriseman in which city would transfer 50 acres situated to the east of Booker Creek to the team at no charge.

Sternberg also requested that the Rays retain 50% of the development proceeds for the remaining 36 acres located west of Booker Creek.

"If we were to accept this, we would have to reject all of the responses to the RFPs," Kriseman said. "Of even greater concern is the moment the city turns control over to the Rays, the city loses all ability and authority to ensure the community’s voice is heard."

January 14, 2021

EDGE District hotel is dead, but a new proposal has emerged

January 14, 2021/ Brian Zucker

Back in October 2018, St. Pete Rising broke the news about an 11-story Marriott Tribute hotel that was to be built in the EDGE District at the corner of 11th Street and 1st Avenue North. The 135-key hotel was proposed by Michigan-based DevMar Development, whose first residential project in St. Pete, Vantage, began move-in’s in May 2020.

DevMar Development closed on the hotel site in January 2020 for $3 million. But unfortunately, due to COVID-19, hotel financing has all but dried up. As a result, DevMar has scrapped plans for the boutique hotel.