Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital to convert St. Pete apartments into patient housing

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Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital to convert St. Pete apartments into patient housing

Thousands of families across the nation travel to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg seeking specialized pediatric medical care from physicians who perform complex surgeries and procedures for critically ill patients suffering from cancer, heart conditions, and other complications.

As a comprehensive pediatric and subspecialty institute, the health system also attracts highly immunocompromised patients who require close monitoring even after discharge.

Thanks to a new $1 million donation from the nonprofit Hogs for the Cause, Johns Hopkins will convert the on-campus Rada Apartments at 460 8th Avenue South—which currently house visiting physicians—into four vibrant housing units for patients requiring extended hospital care and their families.

Hogs for the Cause began as a pig roast among friends in 2009, aiming to raise money for a young boy with pediatric brain cancer.

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Derby Lane sold to new owners who may redevelop the 130-acre property

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Derby Lane sold to new owners who may redevelop the 130-acre property

Spanning 130 acres along Gandy Boulevard, the shuttered Derby Lane greyhound racetrack has a new owner. The St. Pete Kennel Club Inc., which owns the property, has merged with Connecticut-based Rally Acquisition Co.

“The goal is to develop the 130-acre site in a way that benefits the community, while continuing the strong performance of the club’s gaming operations,” said Scott Esterbrook, an attorney representing Rally Acquisition, in an interview with the Tampa Bay Times, which first reported the news.

While specific redevelopment plans for the site at 10490 Gandy Boulevard North have not been disclosed, the new ownership recently secured a $58.25 million loan from Broadway Agency Services LLC.

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Five-story expansion planned for Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement in downtown St. Pete

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Five-story expansion planned for Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement in downtown St. Pete

The Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement, home to the world’s premier collection of art and objects from the American Arts and Crafts movement, is planning an expansion in downtown St. Pete.

The 137,000-square-foot museum at 355 4th Street North will construct a five-story, 11,300-square-foot addition connected to the existing museum, according to plans submitted to the City of St. Petersburg and obtained by St. Pete Rising.

The $10 million expansion, which will serve as added gallery space along the courtyard, has not yet received permit approval, and its design elements are still subject to change.

General contractor Barr & Barr Inc. will build the project, and Tampa-based Alfonso Architects, which also designed the original museum, has been hired to design the expansion.

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Massive 31-story twin-tower development to bring 824 apartments to downtown St. Pete

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Massive 31-story twin-tower development to bring 824 apartments to downtown St. Pete

The former headquarters of UPC Insurance in downtown St. Pete may soon be transformed into one of the city’s largest residential developments.

Plans were recently submitted to the City of St. Petersburg for a $225 million development consisting of two 31-story towers with 824 apartments and 35,800 square feet of retail space at 800 2nd Avenue South.

The existing 40,000-square-foot building, which has served as the temporary office of the Tampa Bay Rays since Hurricane Milton damaged Tropicana Field, will be demolished to make way for the new development.

Proposed by St. Petersburg-based real estate firm Echelon, LLC, the project is being spearheaded by Cody LeClair, Senior Vice President of Development and his team at Echelon in conjunction with Tampa-based investment advisory firm Third Lake Partners—longtime collaborators on local developments.

If built, the towers would become the tallest structures west of 5th Street and the 10th tallest buildings overall in downtown St. Pete.

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Three St. Pete restaurants recognized by Michelin Guide, though none received stars

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Three St. Pete restaurants recognized by Michelin Guide, though none received stars

The Michelin Guide held its annual Florida ceremony last night in Orlando, where three St. Pete restaurants received recognition.

The guide, which first came to Florida in 2022, features restaurants known for exceptional culinary experiences, awarding up to three Michelin stars to those with outstanding cooking. It also honors establishments that serve excellent food at more affordable prices with the Bib Gourmand distinction.

This is the first year the Michelin Guide has considered restaurants from Pinellas County.

Four restaurants—located in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, and Orlando—earned their first Michelin star this year, raising Florida’s total number of one-star restaurants to 29. Sorekara in Orlando received two stars, becoming the second restaurant in the state to achieve that honor.

Five Tampa restaurants held on to their coveted Michelin star.

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