118-year-old Peninsula Inn reopens after extensive renovations in Gulfport

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118-year-old Peninsula Inn reopens after extensive renovations in Gulfport

The doors to the Peninsula Inn in the heart of Gulfport, FL have reopened following a significant renovation, bringing new amenities to the 118-year-old hotel.

Built in 1905, the iconic yellow hotel at 2937 Beach Boulevard South, now named the Peninsula Bed & Cocktails, functioned as a hospital during World War II.

In 2022, the boutique hotel, now named the Peninsula Bed & Cocktails, sold for just under $3 million to Florida House Realty Investments. The buying entity is connected to Gaston Gonzalez, co-founder of the Miami hotel group Casa Florida.  

The group also purchased an adjacent property at 2913 Beach Boulevard South, which is home to The Wine House, known for their barbecue, charcuterie and, of course, a funky selection of wine. 

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Blast from the past: Former Hideaway Cafe space to become retro-themed bar The Neon Lunchbox

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Blast from the past: Former Hideaway Cafe space to become retro-themed bar The Neon Lunchbox

St. Pete patrons will get to reminisce about ‘80s and ‘90s nostalgia in a new retro-themed bar coming to the former Hideaway Cafe space in the Grand Central District.

Tom Cruise blockbusters, iconic games from Nintendo, and music videos on MTV helped define the decades that two St. Pete restaurateurs want to pay homage to.

James Castetter and Chelsey Andrews, who owns The Half Baked Potato restaurant in downtown St. Pete, executed a lease in late December 2023 for 1756 Central Avenue to open their newest concept - The Neon Lunchbox.

"We are excited to bring to life what was once there with our spin on it," Andrews said, acknowledging Hideaway's 13-year history as one of St. Pete’s most beloved music venues.

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Long-awaited affordable townhome community opens on 16th Avenue in South St. Pete

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Long-awaited affordable townhome community opens on 16th Avenue in South St. Pete

Construction workers are building out the last remaining units of the bright blue and white townhomes lining the corner of 16th Avenue and 9th Street South.

The 11 units in the Sixteenth Square Townhomes development - outfitted with granite kitchen countertops, wood floors, and modern finishes - are all affordable homes for residents earning up to 100% of the Area Median Income (AMI). 

The $3 million-plus project developed by St. Petersburg-based homebuilder Namasté Homes first broke ground at 1523 Dr. MLK Jr. Street South in 2020.

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Floridian Social Club is for sale, but legacy may continue

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Floridian Social Club is for sale, but legacy may continue

The Floridian Social Club, previously known as the State Theatre, has stood the test of time - outliving St. Pete’s other historic performance venues - and the owner wants it to continue to serve the community for another 100 years.

"Yes, it's for sale, but I'm not going anywhere. I’m staying in St. Pete," owner Kevin Chadwick said. "What's important to me is finding the right equity and operating partner who can take the club to the next level." 

Although Chadwick desires to be part of the Floridian Social Club’s future, he is willing to completely step away and hand over the keys to the right buyer. 

Chadwick is working with Wendy Giffin, Managing Director of commercial real estate group Cushman and Wakefield, in securing a new partner. 

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105-unit affordable townhome project planned for St. Petersburg College site in west St. Pete

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105-unit affordable townhome project planned for St. Petersburg College site in west St. Pete

The City of St. Petersburg is taking the next step towards turning a St. Petersburg College property in west St. Pete into an affordable housing development for students and staff.

This week, the St. Petersburg Community Planning and Preservation Commission voted to approve a rezoning land use amendment paving the way for the city to purchase SPC's former Gibbs Wellness Center property.

The city plans to build 105 affordable workforce townhomes with 30% of the units reserved for students, teachers, and faculty. The eligible students and faculty will have the right of first refusal to purchase the homes.

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First look at three-story steakhouse planned for historic bank building in downtown St. Pete

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First look at three-story steakhouse planned for historic bank building in downtown St. Pete

A year after it was first announced, the historic Union Trust bank building, at 895 Central Avenue in downtown St. Petersburg, is on track to be reborn as J. Fiore’s Contemporary Steakhouse, an upscale steak and seafood restaurant, set to open in mid-2024.

The renovation of the property’s basement, ground floor, and mezzanine has been a major undertaking, requiring substantial planning, design, and construction.

“We are all-hands-on-deck right now,” said St. Pete-based entrepreneur Jim Fiore. “The 2,000-square-foot extension of the mezzanine is complete and the HVAC, plumbing, and electric is all being installed as we speak.”

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Developer moves forward on 25-story hybrid short-term rental condo project on 4th Street

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Developer moves forward on 25-story hybrid short-term rental condo project on 4th Street

A new ultra high-end 25-story condominium tower, with a mix of short-term rental and permanent residential units, will rise on 4th Street South. 

Clearwater-based real estate firm Valor Capital plans to build a 152-unit upscale condo development at 332, 340, and 344 4th Street South. The property is located at the intersection of 4th Street South and 4th Avenue South and was assembled in a series of purchases that closed in 2022 for $5.2 million.

In an exclusive interview with St. Pete Rising, Valor Capital CEO Moises Agami said the $55 million project will be renamed Roche Bobois Residences as the team is working with the Paris, France-based luxury furniture designer Roche Bobois. Gomez Vazquez International is the building’s architect.

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Good Night John Boy owners to open camping-inspired bar on Central Avenue

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Good Night John Boy owners to open camping-inspired bar on Central Avenue

Nearly a year after being announced, Nauti Duchess, a nautical-themed bar and full-service restaurant that was set to take over 217 Central Avenue, never made it out of port.

But a new concept from Forward Hospitality Group, the owners of Good Night John Boy and Welcome to the Farm, is now slated to occupy the prime downtown location. Most recently, the space was home to Caddy’s on Central, which closed in 2020 after COVID-19 shut down all restaurants and bars in Florida. 

Glamper, according to Michael Schwartz of Forward Hospitality Group, is a bar inspired by camping, backyard cookouts, Fourth of July celebrations, and other summertime activities. Like Good Night John Boy and Welcome to the Farm, the concept debuted in Cleveland before coming to St. Pete.

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Owners of Bandit Coffee to open wine bar in the Grand Central District

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Owners of Bandit Coffee to open wine bar in the Grand Central District

The wine bar craze shows no signs of abating as Spitz Wine Bar, a new concept founded by the owners of Bandit Coffee Co., announced that it has leased space at 2520 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District with plans to open sometime in the first half of 2024.

The space is currently home to Acupuncture & Herbal Therapies, which will be moving in February to 6340 Central Avenue and share a space with Traditions School of Herbal Studies.

Spitz Wine Bar offered few details in an Instagram post, writing, “It’s official, y’all, we’ve signed a lease and have set a path to open early/mid next year within the Grand Central District. More details to come.” Its Instagram page says the bar will offer “real wines” and “tasty bites.”

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Welch selects group to reimagine St. Pete Municipal Marina

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Welch selects group to reimagine St. Pete Municipal Marina

The aging 640-slip St. Pete Municipal Marina is one step closer to undergoing a major overhaul.

Mayor Ken Welch has selected Safe Harbor Marinas LLC for the redevelopment and operational management of the marina adjacent to the St. Pete Pier, according to City Development Administrator James Corbett. 

The selection comes in response to the city’s Request for Proposal (RFP), which was published in April 2023. In addition to Safe Harbor Marinas, the city received a proposal from Dallas-based Suntex Marina Investors.

 Welch informed city staff of his selection in mid-December and directed the team to begin the negotiation process with the Safe Harbor Marinas group this month.

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