New rooftop restaurants and retail to be built near Largo's Horizon West Bay development

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New rooftop restaurants and retail to be built near Largo's Horizon West Bay development

As new transformative projects are underway in Largo, a vacant property near the city's future Horizon West Bay mixed-use development will be redeveloped into a new retail and restaurant destination.

Atlanta, Georgia-based commercial real estate and investment firm The Ardent Companies plans to develop the 11,075-square-foot building on the grassy vacant field on the corner of 4th Street Southwest and West Bay Drive. Ardent manages a commercial real estate portfolio of 5.6 million square feet with $1.5 billion in assets under management.

The company acquired the Largo property in a $1.85 million deal last year from the church directly across the street, The Liberty Worship Center Inc.

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First-ever Winter Pride Festival takes place this month in the Grand Central District

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First-ever Winter Pride Festival takes place this month in the Grand Central District

In the face of the ever-changing and challenging political climate, St. Petersburg will continue embracing its diverse LGBTQ+ community with the first-ever Winter Pride celebration.

Winter Pride, a week-long festival organized by a team of local LGBTQ+ leaders in collaboration with the Grand Central District, will run from February 16th to February 23rd.

“Now more than ever, events like Winter Pride are critical to remind everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community that they are valued, supported, and celebrated,” Grand Central Executive Director Chris Arnold said in an announcement.

“We are excited for another opportunity to celebrate our wonderful city and bring an entire week of amazing Pride events to the Grand Central District.”

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40-unit condo building Castille Urbana opens in downtown St. Pete

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40-unit condo building Castille Urbana opens in downtown St. Pete

Construction is complete and move-ins have commenced at Castille Urbana, a new 40-unit condominium building, in downtown St. Pete.

NJR Investment and Development Company, which is helmed by CEO and President Neil Rauenhorst, recently announced the completion of the five-story building at 600 3rd Avenue South, located just three blocks from St. Pete’s best restaurants, bars, and coffee shops on Central Avenue.

“This milestone marks a significant achievement, particularly in a market where delays have become common,” Rauenhorst said in an announcement. “We’re thrilled to provide new homeowners the opportunity to move in without waiting, delivering a truly unparalleled downtown St. Pete lifestyle.”

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New coastal cafe Perry's Porch opens this weekend on the St. Pete Pier

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New coastal cafe Perry's Porch opens this weekend on the St. Pete Pier

A long-awaited coastal cafe paying homage to the Sunshine City's history will debut at the St. Pete Pier this weekend.

Perry’s Porch will have a soft opening on Saturday, February 8th at 335 2nd Avenue NE near the entrance of the Pier and adjacent to the St. Petersburg Museum of History. The new cafe is replacing the craft beer bar Hops and Props which closed in 2021.

An official grand opening will be held on Wednesday, February 12th.

Perry’s Porch is being brought to life by Seed & Feed Hospitality, which also owns the popular Mandarin Hide cocktail bar, Trophy Fish seafood restaurant, and the 60-year-old El Cap burger joint.

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Tampa Bay's first Tokyo-style claw machine arcade debuts this weekend in Treasure Island

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Tampa Bay's first Tokyo-style claw machine arcade debuts this weekend in Treasure Island

Almost everyone has been unfairly let down by a claw machine at some point in their life. They lure you in with the illusion of skill, only to betray you with a weak grip and an unfair payout system, leaving you frustrated and broke.

However, there is a new generation of claw machines that are designed to offer a completely different experience, reversing the game’s negative reputation by featuring improved claws with stronger grips, more consistent payouts, and a better prize selection.

After exploding in popularity in Tokyo in recent years, arcades dedicated to this new era of claw machines have been popping up in big cities like New York, Chicago and Las Vegas.

This Friday, the first claw machine arcade, or “clawcade”, opens in Tampa Bay.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.”

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

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

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.

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