July 30, 2021

Revised plans for an expanded Dali Museum are revealed

July 30, 2021/ Samantha Flanagan

After failing to reach an agreement with certain stakeholders on its original plans for expansion, The Dali Museum has submitted a revised proposal to the city, which if approved, will appear as a referendum item on the November 2021 ballot. The entire project could have major impacts for the Center for the Arts Complex, including the Mahaffey Theater.

The Dali Museum’s new plan calls for the construction of a multi-level addition to the southwest side of the existing building that would include 40,000 square feet of expanded exhibit space, virtual reality and artificial intelligence displays, event space, and a full-service restaurant and terrace overlooking the downtown yacht basin. Unlike the original submission, it does not include a new parking garage.

July 26, 2021

Sol St. Pete to bring health-conscious comfort food to the Warehouse Arts District

July 26, 2021/ Amy Kochek

In early September, St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District will welcome Sōl St. Pete to the neighborhood at 222 22nd Street South, previously home to Puerto Rican restaurant WEPA Cocina and next door to 3 Daughter’s Brewing . Sōl St. Pete is a bistro serving elevated comfort food that offers a conscious culinary experience.

Health-conscious diners will have a new restaurant to add to their rotation with this unique concept that utilizes savory and delicious whole-food ingredients. The food at Sōl St. Pete will be free from gluten, soy, peanuts, refined sugar, and inflammatory dairy products. In fact, if you have an uncommon allergy, you can call beforehand so the staff can accommodate your needs.

July 22, 2021

Celebrity chef Fabio Viviani to open coastal Italian tavern in downtown St. Pete this winter

July 22, 2021/ Brian Zucker

Last June, celebrity chef Fabio Viviani was preparing to open La Pergola, a highly anticipated Italian restaurant slated for downtown St. Pete, when one of his business partners became embroiled in scandal. After cutting all ties with Nocturnal Hospitality Group, Viviani is ready to announce an all-new restaurant concept for downtown St. Pete -- and this time, he’s in full control.

“I’ve learned that I need to be in charge, not a management company,” says Viviani. “Now that the project is in my hands, I can control everything from the operations to the culture.”

Taverna Costale will be a coastal Italian restaurant and bar with an emphasis on local seafood. It’ll also feature made-from-scratch pasta, pizza, and high-end cuts of prime and dry-aged steaks. The new restaurant will debut this winter on the ground floor of downtown St. Pete’s tallest office tower located at 200 Central Avenue.

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.