November 10, 2023

Christmas-themed pop-up bar opens this weekend in downtown St. Pete

November 10, 2023/ Brian Hartz

’Tis the season! Not only are Christmas decorations beginning to appear in stores, but a new Christmas-themed pop-up bar, Xmas Bar, is opening this weekend at 260 1st Avenue North. The new holiday-themed bar is another concept from Forward Hospitality Group, which also created Goodnight John Boy, the 1970s-themed nightclub at 16 2nd Street North.

“We wanted to bring in another place where people can unite, that crosses all age boundaries and provides a great guest experience,” Michael Schwartz, CEO of Forward Hospitality Group, told St. Pete Rising. “And who doesn’t love Christmas?”

November 10, 2023

St. Pete City Council approves $9.7 million for 264-unit affordable housing project slated for 31st Street

November 10, 2023/ Anthony Close

Yesterday St. Pete City Council approved funding to construct a 264-unit affordable housing development at 31st Street South and Fairfield Avenue near the Warehouse Arts District.

The project, dubbed the Fairfield Avenue Apartments, was first proposed in early 2022 and by HP Capital Group, the developers behind Reflection, an 18-story condominium tower under construction near Mirror Lake in downtown.

Fairfield Avenue Apartments will consist of 264 affordable and workforce apartments in three buildings with 74 one-bedroom units, 163 two-bedroom units, and 27 three-bedroom units.

November 09, 2023

The Rays propose 80-unit affordable housing building near Tropicana Field in downtown St. Pete

November 09, 2023/ Brian Zucker

The Rays and Hines, one of the largest privately held real estate investors and managers in the world, want to build an affordable housing building downtown St. Pete.

The group, which was selected to redevelop the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District site, has submitted an unsolicited proposal to lease a 0.58-acre property at 1659 3rd Avenue South from the City of St. Pete with plans to construct an affordable apartment building.

The parcel is adjacent to the $6.5 billion Historic Gas Plant District but was not included in the site. This building is in addition to the proposed Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment.e

November 08, 2023

Specialty coffee shop Brothers Thomas coming to north St. Pete next month

November 08, 2023/ Brian Zucker

People who live or work in northern St. Petersburg’s Carillon neighborhood will be able to enjoy a locally owned breakfast and lunch spot when The Brothers Thomas Bespoke Café opens in December on the ground floor of the WaterView Echelon City Center apartment building at 100 Main Street North.

The owners are — you guessed it — brothers Luke and Matt Thomas, who hail from Zephyrhills. Luke, 33, is a Principal at Third Lake Partners, a Tampa-based investment advisory firm, while the 35-year-old Matt, who returned to the United States in January after a few years living abroad, will be the café’s primary operator.

The Brothers Thomas Bespoke Café will offer traditional-style coffee beverages — such as espresso, lattes, and flat whites — in portions more in line with how coffee is served in other cultures.

November 07, 2023

Plans revealed for 25-story condo-hotel on 4th Street in downtown St. Petersburg

November 07, 2023/ Anthony Close

Six months after announcing plans for a new development in downtown St. Petersburg, Clearwater-based Valor Capital is revealing new details for their mixed-use project planned for 344 4th Street South.

The 25-story building will reach a height of 325-feet and will contain 152 dwelling units or hotel units along with 4,893 square feet of commercial space and a 130-space parking garage.

The base of the tower will include retail space and a residential lobby along with a 4,000 square foot open space plaza. A sky bar is proposed for the rooftop.