August 01, 2023

First look at Chef Chris Ponte's OLIVIA in downtown St. Pete

August 01, 2023/ Brian Zucker

A fresh set of design renderings have been revealed for Chef Chris Ponte’s OLIVIA, a modern Italian restaurant, debuting early next year in downtown St. Pete.

The 5,550-square-foot restaurant will be located on the ground floor of the recently completed 36-story Ascent apartment and hotel tower at 225 1st Avenue North.

“We’ve begun the permitting process with the City of St. Petersburg and are in the early phases of contractor bidding on the project,” said JT Mahoney, son of Chef Ponte and Partner at OLIVIA, in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

OLIVIA’s Tampa location debuted in 2019 and has garnered a loyal following for delivering all the authentic flavors of a traditional Italian trattoria with innovative, modern touches from the mind of Chef Ponte.

August 01, 2023

Pinellas County Commission approves $25.2 million in funding for Dali Museum expansion plans

August 01, 2023/ Anthony Close

An expansion of St. Petersburg’s Dali Museum received a boost this morning with the approval of funding by Pinellas County’s Board of County Commissioners.

In May, the Pinellas County Tourist Development Council (TDC) gave its blessing to use $34 million in Tourist Development Taxes (TDT) for a major expansion of the Salvador Dali Museum in downtown St. Petersburg. The preliminary approval by the TDC required final approval of the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners.

County staff recommended partially funding the request with $25.2 million, an increase of $7.7 million from a prior funding commitment of $17.5 million the museum originally submitted in 2019.

July 31, 2023

Wawa set to open its first Florida drive-thru restaurant in Largo

July 31, 2023/ Anthony Close

Wawa, the popular convenience store and foodservice chain, is all set to open its first-ever drive-thru restaurant in Florida.

The City of Largo recently issued a Development Order (DO) to authorize the redevelopment of a property at 2530 East Bay Drive, formerly home to a Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Wawa, founded in 1964 in Folsom, Pennsylvania, is well-known for its freshly prepared sandwiches, hoagies, and a variety of beverages, including their signature coffee blends. With over 1,000 locations across multiple states, the chain has built a loyal customer base and a strong presence in the Northeastern United States.

July 28, 2023

Controversial apartment project with affordable housing approved for west St. Pete

July 28, 2023/ Anthony Close

A massive multifamily development proposed for a 29-acre vacant parcel previously occupied by defense contractor Raytheon is moving forward after being approved by St. Petersburg City Council unanimously.

Last week, City Council hosted a public hearing to review a site plan to construct eleven four-story buildings with up to 1,058 units. The plans were filed by Azalea Porter Land LLC, an entity by Porter Development, who hopes to build a garden-style multifamily development on the site.

The parcel is located at 1501 72nd Street North and fronts 22nd Avenue North. The site was purchased by Raytheon in 1995 but never fully developed because of pollution issues that led to legal action. The company embarked on a lengthy environmental cleanup process in 2008 and sold the property, which neighbors Azalea Park, in 2015.

July 26, 2023

42-story condo tower Art House completes foundation pour in downtown St. Pete

July 26, 2023/ Brian Hartz

A major construction milestone has been reached on Art House, a 42-story condominium tower under construction in downtown St. Petersburg.

General contractor Coastal Construction has announced the completion of the foundation pour for the building, which is in under construction at 235 1st Avenue South.

Art House is being developed by Delray Beach-based Kolter Group, the developer behind ONE St. Petersburg and Saltaire.

July 26, 2023

Country bar Ride ‘em Cowboy coming to the Grand Central District

July 26, 2023/ Brian Zucker

If you’ve found yourself two-steppin’ to Luke Combs in your bedroom or consider yourself a rhinestone cowboy – or cowgirl – a new Grand Central District country bar will be right up your alley.

Ride ‘em Cowboy is coming soon to 2451 Central Avenue, a 3,420-square-foot space formerly home to Mixers at Old Key West Bar & Grill, which closed its doors on June 26th.

Ownership is keeping details close to the vest, but according to a recent job posting on Facebook, Ride ‘em Cowboy will feature live country music artists and country EDM DJs. Line cooks are also being hired, which suggests the bar will also serve food.

July 25, 2023

EMOTO electric motorbike dealership cruises into EDGE District

July 25, 2023/ Brian Hartz

The Swedish-made, zero-emission, street-legal CAKE Electric Motorbikes brand will soon be available in St. Petersburg thanks to this week’s opening of EMOTO Electric Motorbikes at 1104 Central Avenue in the EDGE District.

According to a news release, EMOTO is the authorized CAKE dealership for the Tampa Bay region. The CAKE line of electric motorbikes includes off-road models, versatile utility bikes, urban commuter bikes, and highly efficient, ultra-light rides.

“I lived in Hyde Park at the time, and wanted an electric vehicle that I get could around with that was a little more stylish than what was currently available,” said Michael Joyce EMOTO Electric Motorbikes Managing Partner in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

July 25, 2023

YMCA to sell Harbordale location, expand preschool facility in South St. Pete

July 25, 2023/ Brian Hartz

YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg announced on Monday that it intends to sell the 0.4-acre Harbordale YMCA, located at 2421 4th Street South, and use the proceeds to fund an expansion of its Speer YMCA Preschool Academy in South St. Pete, to offer infant and toddler care, at 2100 26th Avenue South.

The Harbordale YMCA closed in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 crisis and never reopened as its services were redirected to other local YMCA locations.

The organization’s board of directors, in a press release, said the decision supports its long-term, ongoing goal of providing additional accredited early childhood education in the St. Pete area. Between 2015 and 2019, the organization opened the Bardmoor YMCA Preschool Academy, the Speer YMCA Preschool Academy, and the Lealman YMCA Preschool Academy.

July 24, 2023

Anti-aging clinic Serotonin Centers expanding to St. Pete with Sundial location

July 24, 2023/ Brian Hartz

The reimagining of the Sundial retail, dining, and entertainment complex in downtown St. Petersburg continues with the arrival of Serotonin Centers, a chain of health and wellness clinics focused on anti-aging therapies.

No opening date has been set, but local franchisees Trudy and Charles Fehlinger told St. Pete Rising that construction drawings are being finalized, and they hope to open in the redesigned 3,000 square foot space at 125 2nd Avenue North in December.

Serotonin Centers will take the place of the Marilyn Monroe Glamour Room at the Sundial, whose leasing activity has picked up speed in recent weeks, most notably with the announcement that Forbici Modern Italian, an acclaimed Tampa restaurant, will open a St. Pete location in the space formerly occupied by Locale Market. Forbici representatives said the eatery should be open by mid-2024.

July 21, 2023

28-story apartment tower approved for Exchange Hotel site in downtown St. Pete

July 21, 2023/ Anthony Close

Last week, St. Petersburg’s Development Review Commission approved plans for a 28-story development slated for the site of the Exchange Hotel, formerly known as Hotel Indigo, located at 234 3rd Avenue North.

The plans were filed by Ally MW, LLC, an entity controlled by Ally Capital Group, a Tampa-based investment firm, which is led by Andrew Wright, the founder of Franklin Street.

Ally acquired the Hotel Indigo in 2020 at bankruptcy court for $7.4 million. The property was subsequently renovated into the Exchange Hotel.

Designed by St. Pete-based Behar + Peteranecz, the proposed residential tower will boast 327 units and a 325-space parking garage.