February 11, 2025

Home of the Week: Charming two-bedroom bungalow in Crescent Lake for $756,000

February 11, 2025/ Brian Zucker

This week’s Home of the Week is a 1940s bungalow at 828 17th Avenue North that blends historic character with modern updates in St. Petersburg’s Crescent Lake neighborhood, known for its tree-lined streets, walkability, and proximity to the 56-acre Crescent Lake Park.

With 1,252 square feet of living space, the home includes two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a bonus room suitable for an office or den.

Original hardwood floors, vintage doors, and classic moldings highlight the home’s timeless appeal, while updates such as new electrical wiring, gas appliances, and a tankless water heater add modern functionality.

The open floor plan offers a practical layout, with a renovated kitchen and bathroom that complement the home’s historic style. Storage is ample, with multiple closets and a standing-room attic providing extra space.

February 10, 2025

St. Pete City Council rejects plan to convert historic church to event venue

February 10, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A 100-year-old historic church in St. Pete's Euclid-St. Paul community continues to face an ominous future after City Council voted last week to deny an appeal that would have allowed the property to operate as an event venue.

Over the years, the Euclid Methodist Church property at 919 10th Avenue North, which was added to the St. Petersburg Register of Historic Places in 2004, has been eyed for potential renovation; however, time and time again, the proposals have been challenged by surrounding residents fearing additional traffic and amplified noise would change the character of their quaint neighborhood.

This time was no different.

During a City Council meeting on Thursday, councilmembers cast a split 4-4 vote, rejecting an appeal that would have permitted the new property owners to transform the church into a 180-person event venue with a seven-unit bed & breakfast operation dubbed The Treehouse.

February 10, 2025

13-story hybrid hotel and apartment project approved for downtown St. Pete

February 10, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A 13-story building featuring 60 apartments and 60 hotel rooms has been approved for downtown St. Pete’s Grand Central District despite concerns.

Last week, the St. Petersburg Development Review Commission unanimously approved a site plan for the $22 million project expected to rise at 1663 1st Avenue South.

The property is currently developed with a commercial building that was previously home to Sunshine Kitty Catfe, Tampa Bay’s first cat café which closed in 2023, and Dolman Law Group.

The new project, proposed by Tampa-based BendinRoad Development in partnership with Landings Real Estate Group, is a significant shift from the developer’s initial vision to create an 8-story 97-unit apartment building, which was previously approved in 2023.

February 07, 2025

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

February 07, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

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.

February 07, 2025

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

February 07, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

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.”

February 06, 2025

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

February 06, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

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.”

February 06, 2025

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

February 06, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

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.

February 05, 2025

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

February 05, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

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.

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.