July 20, 2021

695 Central plans major renovation in downtown St. Pete

July 20, 2021/ Brian Zucker

A two-story building in the heart of downtown St. Pete is set to undergo a multi-million dollar renovation next year. The 16,000 square foot property is located adjacent to the Morean Arts Center and across the street from the Chihuly Collection at 695 Central Avenue.

Safety Harbor-based Paradise Ventures purchased the building for $3.4 million in December 2019. The initial goal was to begin renovations in 2020, but COVID-19 delayed the project. Now plans are moving forward.

The building is currently anchored by QuickAid, which is a legal office specializing in social security disability insurance, and City’s Bistro, a local restaurant serving gourmet sandwiches, fresh salads, and breakfast sandwiches. Both businesses have plans to relocate once renovations begin in 2022.

July 19, 2021

Orange Station at the Edge redesigned with 16-story mixed-use tower

July 19, 2021/ Anthony Close

The redevelopment of former St. Pete Police Department headquarters site at 1300 1st Avenue North has been revised to increase the number of residential units and adjust the amount of the planned office space.

Located in the EDGE District, Orange Station at the Edge is a joint-venture between Jay Miller, of J Square Developers, along with Bowen Arnold and John Schilling, of DDA Development, all of whom have experience developing in downtown St. Pete. Craig Sher and Will Conroy of Backstreets Capital LLC are also partners in the project.

July 16, 2021

St. Petersburg Maritime and Defense Technology Hub proposed for the Innovation District

July 16, 2021/ Anthony Close

A city-owned building at 450 8th Avenue Southeast in downtown St. Pete could soon become a hub for marine and life sciences, defense, and technology companies if a lease proposal is approved by City Council. The St. Petersburg Innovation District (SPID) has proposed to lease the 30,000 square foot building which was recently vacated by SRI Corporation.

Under the proposal, the building would become home to a new project called the St. Petersburg Maritime and Defense Technology Hub (Hub) and will house SPID’s main office. Space in the building would be sub-leased to companies in the city’s Grow Smarter target industries. The building sits in the Innovation District which is anchored by USF St. Petersburg, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, and Bayfront Hospital.

July 15, 2021

Valkyrie Doughnuts opens this Saturday in the Grand Central District

July 15, 2021/ Amy Kochek

It seems like only yesterday when Celine Duvoisin walked down Central Avenue to announce the opening of Valhalla Bakery with a handful of flyers and an overflowing box of her signature desserts.

Ever since the grand opening at the end of 2018, Valhalla Bakery has been consistently satisfying our sugar cravings and dressing up our Instagram timelines. But as Valhalla Bakery’s popularity has increased, so has the demand for one of their best-selling treats—Doughnuts!

From the very beginning, Duvoisin says the most asked question has been, “When will you have doughnuts?” And now she is giving us the answer we’ve been waiting for.

July 12, 2021

Must Wine Loft to expand this fall in downtown St. Pete

July 12, 2021/ Samantha Flanagan

Pass through the unassuming door at 442 2nd Street North in downtown St Pete and the first thing you’ll notice is the wine. Colorful bottles line the walls and the countertops, framing a glass cabinet of artisan cheeses and meats. They are stacked high and low on shelves, familiar and exotic filling every inch, labels beckoning to be read.

Oenophile (wine lover) or not, any curious person here for the first time will fall quickly in love with MUST Wine Loft and perhaps soon find themselves among the ranks of locals who return again and again for the high-quality, sustainably produced wine and food products and sense of discovery that founders Jessica Arkwright and Raymond Cotteret have so perfectly and intricately woven into the space.

July 09, 2021

La Segunda Bakery and Cafe to open in St. Petersburg after over a century in Ybor City

July 09, 2021/ Brian Zucker

After over 105 years in Ybor City, La Segunda Bakery and Café will open an outpost across the bay in St. Petersburg. The bakery, famous for their Cuban bread, will debut this fall at 2436 4th Street North.

At 1,820 square feet, the St. Pete location will be smaller than the Ybor City and South Tampa locations, but still have room for 40 seats inside and 40 seats outside. While the Ybor City location will continue to focus on wholesale baking and counter service, the St. Pete location will specialize in grab-and-go, delivery, and catering.

July 05, 2021

18-story expansion planned for downtown’s Camden Pier District Apartments

July 05, 2021/ Brian Zucker

One of downtown St. Pete’s most popular apartment complexes, Camden Pier District, is planning an expansion that will add an 18-story 95-unit tower to the existing 357-unit community.

“We are excited to expand Camden Pier District to provide additional high-quality housing to the St. Pete market,” said Ric Campo CEO of Camden Property Trust. “St. Pete is a great place to live, work, and play and we are glad to be part of this growing great city.”

Last Tuesday, Camden Property Trust paid $2.1 million for a 0.23-acre property located at 201 4th Avenue South on the southeastern corner of the existing development. The lot is currently home to a medical office and a single-family house. Both buildings will be demolished to make way for the new tower.

July 01, 2021

Marina Beach, a 400-unit residential building, is proposed for the Skyway Marina District

July 01, 2021/ Anthony Close

An underutilized shopping center at the southwest corner of 34th Street South and 42nd Avenue South is slated to become the latest new development in the Skyway Marina District.

Plans have been filed for a mixed-use project at 4311 34th Street South that will feature 400 residential units, a 95,000 square foot self-storage facility, a 2,400 square foot bank, and a 4,500 square foot restaurant. The project is expected to go before the Development Review Commission for site plan approval on July 7th.

June 30, 2021

20-story residential building planned for 17th Street moves forward

June 30, 2021/ Samantha Flanagan

A 20-story residential tower with retail space fronting the Pinellas Trail is coming to 17th Street South after the St Pete City Council voted unanimously to approve the project.

St Pete Rising first reported on plans for the mixed use development proposed by Mill Creek Residential Trust in March. The approved $80 million project will consist of a 20-story and an 8-story apartment building with 383 rental units, 15,316 square feet of commercial space, and a 475-space parking garage between the Pinellas Trail and 3rd Avenue South adjacent to I-275. The location is at the crossroads of the EDGE, Grand Central, and Warehouse Arts districts and it will be the tallest building in the western half of Downtown to date.

June 21, 2021

Pure Martini Bar is coming soon to the ground floor of Vantage

June 21, 2021/ Amy Kochek

Relax, eat, and sip is the motto of Pure Martini Bar, a new downtown restaurant and lounge concept coming this September to the ground floor of Vantage, a 211-unit apartment building at 160 16th Street North. EJ Barkett of Barkett Realty represented the landlord and De’Vone Brownlee of Stofel and Associates Realty represented the tenant in the transaction.

Pure Martini’s menu will feature crafted dry cocktails and martinis paired with delicious tapas.

All nine drinks on the menu have been designed with a unique spin with selections like the Tequila Tini, Strawlito Mojito, Pure Crush, and the Sanibal Sangria.