The 1888 Hotel breathes new life into historic downtown St. Pete property

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The 1888 Hotel breathes new life into historic downtown St. Pete property

As downtown St. Petersburg’s skyline becomes increasingly taller and more modern, it’s particularly refreshing to see some of the Sunshine City’s historic properties revived and repurposed.

The 1888 Hotel, at 220 5th Avenue North, is a recent example of St. Pete’s history blending with contemporary styles and trends. In its heyday, the property, which was built in 1923, was known as The Hillcrest Hotel. Managing Partners Frederick Dela Cruz and Jeffrey Pippin have renamed it The 1888 Hotel as a homage to the year the first passenger train arrived in St. Pete.

“We acquired the property in 2020, and it was a little bit of a crazy situation,” Dela Cruz said in an interview with St. Pete Rising. “A developer wanted to demolish the building and build a parking garage.”

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New Japanese cafe and bakery Samurai Cat debuts in downtown St. Pete

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New Japanese cafe and bakery Samurai Cat debuts in downtown St. Pete

Samurai Cat, a new Japanese bakery and cafe concept, has officially opened in downtown St. Petersburg.

The 1,315-square-foot space at 407 Central Avenue, the former home of Beans & Barlour cafe and dessert shop that closed in November 2023, now boats Japanese wall art and decor featuring a fierce feline warrior.

Samurai Cat is the newest foodie concept from Majestic Restaurant Group, the hospitality force behind concepts such as Zukku Sushi, Ling's Dumplings, and KH BBQ, along with the upcoming Tampa Bay debut of Japanese-born experimental fast-casual concept Pepper Lunch.

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Juno and the Peacock will replace 400 Beach in downtown St. Pete

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Juno and the Peacock will replace 400 Beach in downtown St. Pete

It’s been nine months since 400 Beach abruptly closed for renovations. However, instead of reopening, the seafood restaurant and tap house will be replaced by an entirely new restaurant and cocktail lounge expected to open this summer.

Juno and the Peacock is set to take the place of 400 Beach, a longtime staple of Beach Drive in downtown St. Pete, following a comprehensive makeover to the space.

400 Beach was an early trailblazer on Beach Drive, downtown St. Pete’s de facto restaurant row, when local restauranteur Steve Westphal opened the eatery in 2009.

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Historically St. Pete: Century-old Carnegie library stands tall on Mirror Lake

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Historically St. Pete: Century-old Carnegie library stands tall on Mirror Lake

At St. Pete Rising, we are constantly providing comprehensive coverage on everything new and coming soon to the Sunshine City, but we think it’s also important to take a look back at our city's rich history.

Introducing Historically St. Pete, a new monthly column on St. Pete Rising written by Rui Farias, Executive Director of the St. Petersburg Museum of History, which will cover everything from the legend of underground mobster tunnels to the buildings and people that created the Sunshine City.

Follow us each month as we explore how these projects shaped St. Pete into the city we know and love today.

This month we explore the history of St. Petersburg’s Carnegie Library at Mirror Lake, built in 1915 and still standing today.

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Done Deals: Former Wilson's Lounge site to be redeveloped, Innovation District parcel sells, Wellness spa to open downtown

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Done Deals: Former Wilson's Lounge site to be redeveloped, Innovation District parcel sells, Wellness spa to open downtown

Done Deals is a weekly column by St. Pete Rising spotlighting recent real estate market insight and significant deals happening in the Sunshine City and beyond. The following information is sourced from public records and trusted intel.

Have real estate news to share? Send us an email at hello@stpeterising.com.

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