February 04, 2025

St. Petersburg YMCA sells land set to be developed into a retail village and residential community

February 04, 2025/ Brian Zucker

The YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg has sold a portion of its property in St. Pete’s Grand Central District to a group of developers planning to build a new pedestrian-only retail village and residential complex.

Last Thursday, GS Blake Owner, LLC, an entity connected to national multifamily developer Greystar Real Estate Partners, purchased 4.5 acres on the east side of the Jim & Heather Gills YMCA at 3200 1st Avenue South for $12 million.

Proceeds from the sale will go towards renovating the 25-year-old, 55,000-square-foot YMCA facility, which is located on the west side of the property. Upgrades will include relocated athletic fields with artificial turf and lighting, expanded parking including access to a covered parking garage, and updated locker rooms.

February 04, 2025

Michelin Guide coming to St. Pete-Clearwater, recognizing region's evolving culinary scene

February 04, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

For the first time, the prestigious Michelin Guide, the most well-known and respected authority on restaurants in the world, will recognize dining establishments in the St. Pete-Clearwater region.

Michelin and Visit St. Pete-Clearwater announced on Tuesday that the guide will be expanding to Pinellas County in 2025.

“We are ecstatic to have been sought out and invited to be a part of the Florida MICHELIN Guide for the caliber of restaurants and culinary experiences you can find in St. Pete-Clearwater,” Visit St. Pete-Clearwater CEO and President Brian Lowack said in a statement.

February 04, 2025

Home of the Week: A 1914-built historic inn nestled in the Old Northeast

February 04, 2025/ Brian Zucker

This week’s featured home is a former historic inn located at 635 Bay Street Northeast in the heart of St. Petersburg’s Old Northeast neighborhood, just a block from Downtown St. Pete and The Vinoy. Built in 1914, this home blends Prairie and Craftsman architectural styles and is listed for $3,200,000.

Originally known as the Boyce Guest House, this home has a rich history of providing comfort to visitors. Recognized as a Historic Landmark in 1997, it continues to be a treasured part of the city’s architectural heritage.

The main house spans 3,946 square feet, featuring six bedrooms, each with a private bath. A 1,330-square-foot carriage house adds three efficiency suites, ideal for guests, live-in accommodations, or rental income.

February 03, 2025

The Ball, an LGBTQ+ bar and lounge inspired by queer icons, debuts in the Grand Central District

February 03, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A pink-lit bar with crystal chandeliers overhead, a giant disco ball DJ booth, and images of queer icons bedazzle the walls inside St. Pete’s newest LGBTQ+ bar in the Grand Central District of St. Pete.

The Ball, owned by David Fischer, who also founded COCKtail St. Pete nightclub and The Wet Spot pool bar, has officially opened at 49 24th Street North.

The space, humorously described as being located “at the base of COCKtail,” was previously home to The Saint, an upscale speakeasy that closed last year to undergo the rebrand.

“The disco ball is one of the most iconic queer motifs, particularly within LGBTQ+ nightlife,” said Fischer. “It acts as an enhancing invitation to meet others, dance freely, and be yourself.”

February 03, 2025

New fast-casual restaurant by P.F. Chang's, Pagoda Asian Grill, is now open in west St. Pete

February 03, 2025/ Brian Zucker

A new fast-casual restaurant by Arizona-based P.F. Chang’s has debuted in west St. Pete.

Pagoda Asian Grill held a grand opening celebration on Saturday at 1550 66th Street North.

The new concept is P.F. Chang’s answer to chains such as Chipotle or Cava, offering counter-service and take-out.

Diners can build a bowl or wrap by first selecting a base (white rice, brown rice, or soba noodles), choosing one of five protein options (grilled chicken, sriracha chicken, grilled steak, bulgogi steak, or roasted vegetables), picking out as many toppings as desired from a list of 17 options, and then finishing it off with one of eight sauces.

January 31, 2025

Local artist to debut new waterfront-inspired sculpture at 42-story Art House condo tower

January 31, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A modern sculpture inspired by St. Pete's waterfront will become a focal point for residents and guests entering the 42-story Art House condominium tower in downtown St. Pete.

South Florida-based developer Kolter Urban, which has developed two other condo projects in downtown St. Pete, has commissioned well-known St. Pete artist and sculptor Cecilia Lueza to create a stunning art piece for the new 244-unit luxury condo tower at 235 1st Avenue South.

“Similar to Art House, ALLURE [the sculpture] was heavily influenced by the beautiful waterfront community we enjoy here in St. Petersburg. My sculptures are about honoring and enriching nature, blending colors, shapes, and the rhythm of the earth to transform the space around us while creating a place where we feel connected,” Lueza said in a prepared statement.

January 31, 2025

Pete's Bagels team to open new cafe and coffee shop Seymour's in downtown St. Pete

January 31, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

The team behind the popular Pete's Bagels is opening a new spot for breakfast, lunch, and coffee in downtown St. Pete.

Seymour's will debut this February at 407 Central Avenue inside the historic Snell Arcade. The space was previously home to Samurai Cat Japanese Cafe and Bakery.

“We are excited to bring the Pete's vibe to downtown St. Pete. We will focus on having a full cafe and bakery with an old vintage St. Pete vibe in the Snell Arcade,” Owner Steven Peterman said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

“This will be more of a cafe experience - it won’t be a bagel shop like Pete’s.”

January 30, 2025

BayCare buys Barnes & Noble property in west St. Pete, plans emergency room facility

January 30, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A Barnes & Noble located across from the Tyrone Square Mall in west St. Pete will be converted into a freestanding emergency center.

BayCare Health System, which operates hospitals and health care centers throughout Tampa Bay, has purchased the 15,456-square-foot building at 2501 Tyrone BoulevardNorth from JWH Properties Inc. for $10 million, according to a deed recorded on January 29th.

This is the second Barnes & Noble the non-profit health care organization has purchased in Tampa Bay. In 2024, BayCare purchased a shuttered Barnes & Noble in Carrollwood for $10.5 million with plans to convert the property into an urgent care center.

Barnes & Noble representatives were not immediately available to confirm when the St. Pete store would close, nor whether the store would close permanently or move to another location.

The bookstore has been operating at this location in west St. Pete for 33 years.

January 29, 2025

Family-friendly Swell Coffee debuts in Largo with house-made syrups and baked goods

January 29, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A new cozy kid-friendly coffee shop has made its debut in Largo.

Swell Coffee, a specialty coffee shop with house-made syrups and pastries from local bakeries, celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday, January 28th, near the corner of Bryan Dairy Road and Starkey Road at 11148 Starkey Road.

The 1,500-square-foot space was previously occupied by Subway.

“We looked at more than 30 spaces in a six-month window. We've had this space in July, but the hurricanes set us back on the opening date,” Sarah Cerny said.

January 28, 2025

Cool Vibes Pub & Grub expands to St. Pete Beach with new bar and entertainment venue

January 28, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

The Cool Vibes Pub & Grub restaurant in St. Petersburg known for its divey sports bar atmosphere and elevated bar food, is expanding to the waterfront on St. Pete Beach.

The local watering hole, which will continue operating at its flagship location at 5488 58th Street North, will open a second spot dubbed Cool Vibes on the Beach at 6800 Sunset Way fronting the bright pink Gulf Winds Resort.

An exact opening date has not yet been announced.