October 21, 2021

New boutique hotel to replace former Hotel Indigo in downtown St. Pete

October 21, 2021/ Brian Zucker

A new boutique hotel is coming to downtown St. Petersburg this winter. The Exchange Hotel, formerly known as the Hotel Indigo, will feature 76 charming guest rooms and suites along with an elegant restaurant & bar and spacious event space in the heart of the city’s downtown district.

“We look forward to The Exchange Hotel serving as a comfortable, walkable home base from which to explore all the Sunshine City has to offer,” said Andre Ward, the hotel’s General Manager. “Nestled in the heart of Downtown St. Pete, our hotel features a unique balance of inviting gathering spaces and charming, cozy guestrooms that provide the perfect place to rest your head – whether you’re here for work or play.”

October 19, 2021

Kolter Group proposes 41-story condo tower for 200 Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete

October 19, 2021/ Anthony Close

On the heels of the groundbreaking of St. Pete’s future tallest tower, another residential tower has been announced for downtown.

Yesterday, New York-based developer Red Apple Group held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Residences at 400 Central, a 46-story, 515-foot condo tower planned for 400 Central Avenue. Now, just two blocks away, Kolter Group is proposing another soaring condominium tower.

Kolter Group, which previously built ONE St. Petersburg and is currently constructing Saltaire, has announced plans for a 41-story condominium tower at 200 Central Avenue.

October 18, 2021

46-story condo tower, 400 Central, breaks ground in downtown St. Pete

October 18, 2021/ Brian Zucker

Just two weeks after the sales launch, a ceremonial groundbreaking was held this morning for 400 Central, a 46-story condominium tower to be constructed in the heart of downtown St. Pete.

Located on a full city block at 400 Central Avenue, the project is being spearheaded by billionaire developer John Catsimatidis Sr., owner of Red Apple Group, who was in attendance with his wife and children.

“St. Petersburg is such a special community, and we are honored to help contribute to the growing vibrancy of this wonderful city,” said John Catsimatidis Sr. “The pace of reservations already far exceeds our expectations, and I am immensely proud of the development team that is bringing this project to life. This is a community where I have had family ties for more than 30 years and I can hardly wait to greet our future residents as they move into their new homes in the sky.”

October 15, 2021

St. Pete City Council approves $2 million for Jordan Park redevelopment project

October 15, 2021/ Anthony Close

Yesterday St. Petersburg City Council approved a request to provide $2 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) from the South St. Petersburg Redevelopment District Fund as part of the renovation and redevelopment of the Jordan Park housing complex located at 1245 Jordan Park Street South in south St. Petersburg.

Built between 1939 and 1941, Jordan Park is the oldest federal public housing project in Florida and was named after African American developer Elder Jordan Sr.

Jordan was a prominent African American businessman and civic activist. He built the Jordan dance hall, now named the Manhattan Casino, and donated the land used to build the original Jordan Park housing development.

October 14, 2021

Ohio Pizza Parlor brings midwest-style pizza to west St. Pete

October 14, 2021/ Amy Kochek

Ohio-style pizza has made its way to St. Pete without the cold weather and heavy snowfall. The Ohio Pizza Parlor (O.P.P.) opened last month at 7224 Central Avenue and is satisfying pizza cravings for thin, crispy crust with edge-to-edge toppings.

The Ohio Pizza Parlor’s location, which is minutes from the Treasure Island Causeway, makes a trip to the beach that much more enjoyable. Diners can choose from one of the eleven specialty pies or they can build their own with O.P.P.’s premium or super premium toppings.

Pizza from Ohio is unique in its presentation and taste. The pizza is round, but the pieces are cut into small squares with toppings, cheese, and sauce extending all the way to the edge of the pizza. The crust is ultra-thin, closer to resembling a cracker than a traditional pizza crust.

October 13, 2021

Farm fresh restaurant Two Graces opening soon in west St. Pete

October 13, 2021/ Amy Kochek

Two Graces, a new casual, yet refined, restaurant is coming to 6001 Central Avenue. The restaurant was previously home to the nationally recognized Reading Room, which closed their doors in 2019. The uniquely designed restaurant boasts a spacious al fresco dining experience and fresh ingredients sourced from an on-site garden filled with herbs and vegetables.

The layout of Two Graces puts an emphasis on outdoor dining by offering various “rooms" in which to enjoy a hearty meal in the beautiful Florida sunshine. Plants, flowers, herbs, and vegetables will envelop the guests as they dine, a scene that could’ve easily been lifted out of The Secret Garden.

October 12, 2021

330-unit apartment development planned for 6th Street in south St. Pete

October 12, 2021/ Anthony Close

A development proposed for 6th Street South could bring new market rate and workforce housing to south St. Petersburg. Stoneweg US, an investment firm specializing in multifamily acquisitions and developments, has initiated a rezoning request for the property at 3049 6th Street South, just east of Lake Maggiore.

Based in downtown St. Pete, Stoneweg purchased the 14.73-acre site, which was previously home to the Bay and Lakeview Mobile Home Parks, in April for $6.4 million. The mobile home parks were gradually closed and cleared between 2006 and 2013 and remain vacant to this day. At one time the community had as many as 324 mobile home units resulting in an overall density of nearly 23 dwelling units per acre.

October 11, 2021

Everything you need to know about the SHINE Mural Festival beginning this Friday

October 11, 2021/ Samantha Flanagan

St. Pete’s biggest art event, the internationally recognized SHINE Mural Festival will see over 20 mural artists gather in the Sunshine City this Friday to kickoff its seventh annual edition. From October 15-24, a mix of local and visiting artists will create sixteen new public works of art throughout Downtown and the arts districts plus three community “Bright Spots” murals that aim to engage and inspire.

An official map detailing the location of all the 2021 projects was released last week by St. Petersburg Arts Alliance (SPAA), the nonprofit that produces the event each year.

October 08, 2021

16-story Orange Station at the EDGE receives approval from Development Review Commission

October 08, 2021/ Samantha Flanagan

Demolition is set to begin soon at 1300 1st Avenue North, site of the former St Pete Police Department headquarters and future home of Orange Station at the EDGE. The project is moving forward after the St Petersburg Development Review Commission granted approval of the site plan and requested variances earlier this week.

St Pete Rising first reported on the mixed-use development when plans were unveiled late last year. The project features an ambitious but thoughtfully-designed blend of office, retail, and residential space, including 42 workforce apartments to be named The WYE (a hat tip to the triangular junction found in railroads) and 61 luxury condos called The Residences at Orange Station.

October 08, 2021

Sixty90, a 204-unit apartment building, is approved for Central Avenue in west St. Pete

October 08, 2021/ Anthony Close

St. Pete’s Development Review Commission approved plans for a multi-family development planned for 6090 Central Avenue in west St. Petersburg. The project, named Sixty90, is being developed by local real estate firm DDA Development and feature a four-story building with 204 units along with ground floor retail space.