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.”