November 22, 2021

A plant-based cafe by Squeeze Juice Works is coming to St. Pete

November 22, 2021/ Brian Zucker

A new plant-based café and cold-pressed juice bar is opening next month in Historic Uptown. The Works is being brought to life by Kelly Lessem, the owner of the popular Squeeze Juice Works, with help from managing partners Kendra Hardesty and Meaghan Martin.

The Works will be located at 495 7th Avenue North just a half mile north of downtown St. Pete and overlooking the beautiful Round Lake Park.

The space was recently vacated by Pete’s General, one of St. Pete’s favorite bagel shops. Steven Peterman, owner of Pete’s General, decided to close the Uptown location in order to focus on the newer, larger storefront in the Grand Central District.

November 19, 2021

Speakeasy cocktail lounge and cafe Dirty Laundry debuts in the Grand Central District

November 19, 2021/ Brian Zucker

A new cocktail lounge and cafe is now open in the Grand Central District. Dirty Laundry, located at 1742 Central Avenue, is helmed by Stephen Schrutt, the mind behind many of St. Pete’s favorite hangouts like The Avenue, Park & Rec, and No Vacancy.

First of all, I have no doubt that people will walk by thinking this is a real laundromat. However, the curious will discover that Dirty Laundry is the only laundromat that will leave you dirtier than when you came in.

Upon stepping over the threshold, you’ll quickly notice that not everything is as it seems. It’s all a front for St. Pete’s newest Latin-inspired café.

November 15, 2021

Construction begins on three-story food hall Central Park in downtown St. Pete

November 15, 2021/ Brian Zucker

A construction fence was erected last week around the perimeter of the former Dome Grill located at 551 Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete. This morning, a ceremonial groundbreaking was held to kick off construction on Central Park St. Pete, a one-of-a-kind three-story food hall slated to open next summer.

In addition to three floors of culinary experiences, a basement will be excavated under the former Woolworth’s building for a high-end speakeasy bar.

The ground floor will contain a large bar and a food court with a variety of different cuisines. Although no specific concepts have been announced, Natalia Levey, Owner of Central Park, promises to offer a mix of health-conscious options and international flavors.

November 11, 2021

39-acre mixed-use project moving forward near Gandy Blvd

November 11, 2021/ Samantha Flanagan

On Monday, The St Pete Community Planning and Preservation Commission (CPPC) unanimously approved amendments to a mixed-use development agreement that would bring residential units, a restaurant, and a public marina to Snug Harbor.

The currently vacant, 39-acre property is south of Gandy Blvd and East of San Fernando Blvd NE and consists of three combined parcels known as Gandy Center, Pirates Cove, and Riviera.

The original development agreement, approved in 2009, outlined plans to build 120 apartment units, a commercial marina with 45 wet slips, 72,000 square feet of retail space, and three restaurants comprising 21,000 square feet on the northern portion of the property, along with 256 single family or townhome residential units and 225 private docks on the southern parcel.

November 09, 2021

Aerial St. Pete: Construction updates from downtown’s newest residential towers

November 09, 2021/ Anthony Close

The latest edition of Aerial St. Pete shows the latest progress on several downtown developments. Aerial St. Pete is a quarterly column by St. Pete Rising which features exclusive aerial photography of projects under construction in downtown St. Petersburg, FL. To accomplish this, we team up with Anthony Bove at AB3 Visuals.

This quarter we are taking a look at six projects in downtown St. Pete which have all broken ground in the past year. These include: 334 Apartments, 357 Apartments, Ascent St. Petersburg, Domus Urbana, Saltiare, and The Metro.

November 08, 2021

10-story mixed-use building proposed near Tropicana Field in downtown St. Pete

November 08, 2021/ Anthony Close

A prime lot in the heart of downtown could soon be redeveloped after the City of St. Petersburg received an unsolicited offer for the city-owned block at 910 2nd Avenue South.

On the heels of St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman selecting Moffitt Cancer Center to anchor a mixed-use development at 800 1st Avenue South, Atlas Real Estate Partners, which owns The Wayland, a 481-unit apartment complex at 300 10th Street South, has submitted an offer to purchase a ~2.02-acre site known as Lot 8.

November 04, 2021

Moffitt Cancer Center to anchor 4.5-acre downtown St. Pete redevelopment

November 04, 2021/ Brian Zucker

In early August, Moffitt Cancer Center along with United Insurance Holdings Corp. and TPA Group submitted an offer to the City of St. Pete to purchase a 4.5-acre site at 800 2nd Avenue South in downtown St. Pete.

The proposal called for the development of a mixed-use project that would include a state-of-the-art outpatient cancer care facility, a mixed-use modern multi-family residential tower with a workforce housing component, activated ground floor retail, a public-access parking garage, and the retention and future expansion site of the United Insurance Holdings Corp. headquarters.

UPC Insurance had previously planned to purchase the site in 2018 to build a 150,000 square foot office building, a 500-space public parking garage, and a potential hotel. However, UPC scrapped the project in 2020 after reporting higher than expected losses as a result of a busy hurricane season and cited the need to reassess office space needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

November 04, 2021

The Yard Milkshake Bar is coming to downtown St. Pete

November 04, 2021/ Brian Zucker

A popular milkshake bar known for their indulgent, over-the-top ice cream creations will be opening in downtown St. Pete next year.

The Yard Milkshake Bar will debut at 111 2nd Ave NE Suite 103 in the Plaza Tower & Courtyard Shops neighboring the popular Paradeco Coffee Roasters.

The Yard has a massive menu of desserts offering everything from milkshakes, ice cream bowls, and edible cookie dough. There are over 20 different milkshakes available, including a few seasonal selections.

November 03, 2021

Steak and seafood restaurant The Crane coming to Central Avenue next year

November 03, 2021/ Amy Kochek

The Crane, a casual steak and seafood restaurant with a classic cocktail bar, is coming next year to the former Wig Villa space at 575 Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete. Owner Sean Thongsiri’s first downtown restaurant, Mangosteen, opened this week at 656 Central Avenue – just a block away from The Crane.

“We love downtown St. Pete and all it has to offer for residents and guests alike,” said Serena Raynard, who is helping Thongsiri open and operate his restaurants. “Now that the doors are open at Mangosteen, we are excited to shift our focus to The Crane.”

Interior demolition began a few weeks ago and buildout is now underway. When diners enter the 150-seat restaurant, they will escape into a world that could’ve been taken right out of The Great Gatsby. Lounge seating at the front of the restaurant will welcome guests to relax and enjoy the food and drink offerings.

October 29, 2021

Portillo’s set to bring its Chicago-style hot dogs to St. Petersburg

October 29, 2021/ Anthony Close

A popular Chicago-based hot dog chain, Portillo’s, is set to open a location in the Tyrone area of St. Petersburg according to preliminary plan review documents filed with the city.

Portillo’s traces its origins to 1936 when founder Dick Portillo invested $1,100 into a small hot dog cart in Villa Park, Illinois. The restaurant chain has since expanded to over 60 locations in nine states. Portillo’s entered the Florida market in 2016 with the opening of its location in Brandon, Florida. Later that same year Portillo’s opened at the University Mall in Tampa.