August 05, 2025

Massive redevelopment brewing on Salt Creek as plans emerge for waterfront district south of downtown St. Pete

August 05, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A once-sleepy industrial stretch along Salt Creek in south St. Pete is on the cusp of major transformation as Clearwater-based real estate company Prometheus Partners has quietly assembled more than 10.5 acres of contiguous property just south of downtown.

Over the past few years, the group has spent over $43.7 million acquiring a portfolio of waterfront parcels in the Old Southeast neighborhood.

Now, newly filed plans suggest a redevelopment may be in motion, one that could dramatically reshape this underutilized waterfront into a lively mixed-use neighborhood.

Prometheus began acquiring land in the area in March 2024, beginning with the purchase of Progressive Marine Service Inc. at 1351 Bay Street SE for $4.8 million.

That was followed by a $10 million deal in April for 1421 Bay Street SE, the former Sailor’s Wharf yacht yard.

In July 2024, it picked up the St. Petersburg Marine Center at 101 16th Avenue South for $12.5 million.

Then in November 2024, the company added the Salt Creek Marina at 105 15th Avenue SE to its portfolio for $16.425 million.

In total, the company now controls more than 10.5 acres across several parcels on the south side of Salt Creek.

August 04, 2025

Developer buys St. Pete property in $16.5 million deal for 304-unit affordable housing complex

August 04, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Houston-based The Hanover Company, a private real estate developer, has purchased a retail plaza that is expected to be redeveloped into a 304-unit affordable housing community.

The group has acquired the 8.95-acre site at 3100 22nd Avenue North in North Kenwood for $16.5 million from ZSPR PROPCO of Tampa LLC, according to a deed recorded on August 4th. The existing 71,064-square-foot retail plaza previously housed JB Factory Flooring, Studio Physique, and a MetroPCS store.

The Hanover Company also took out a $46.92 million loan from Texas-based Comica Bank.

The company’s redevelopment plans, which were filed in 2024, represented the first Live Local Act application received by the City of St. Petersburg.

August 01, 2025

South Pasadena Winn-Dixie to be converted into Aldi

August 01, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

After more than a decade serving the South Pasadena community, the Winn-Dixie at 6851 Gulfport Boulevard is set for a major transformation.

The store will be converted into an Aldi, joining a wave of former Winn-Dixie locations being rebranded under the German discount grocery chain following its acquisition of Southeastern Grocers in March 2024.

Plans for the 55,720-square-foot supermarket include a renovation that will subdivide the existing space, with Aldi occupying a portion of the building.

Located directly across from a Publix and Walmart Neighborhood Market, the site has long been a hotspot for grocery competition.

July 31, 2025

Retro Florida motel-themed bar No Vacancy closes after six years in the EDGE District

July 31, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

After more than six years serving up tropical drinks and Florida-themed fare, No Vacancy has permanently closed in downtown St. Pete.

The Old Florida motel-inspired bar and restaurant at 937 Central Avenue announced its closure in a heartfelt social media post, marking the end of an era for one of the EDGE District’s most recognizable hangouts.

“After 6.5 unforgettable years, our everyday vacay comes to an end,” wrote owner Stephen Schrutt. “From the bottom of our hearts, Thank You, St. Pete! You stayed with us through it all. From the challenges of Covid, and the growth of our city. Thank you for being part of it, none of this was possible without our flock.”

No Vacancy opened in January 2019 in the former home of Kings Street Food Counter, another concept from Schrutt’s Hunger + Thirst Restaurant Group.

July 31, 2025

The Violet Stone’s new, larger location is officially open in St. Pete

July 31, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

St. Pete’s favorite Philly-style pizza joint, The Violet Stone, has officially opened in a much larger, more prominent location. So say goodbye to long lines, sold-out signs by noon, and eating pizza on the hood of your car.

The new restaurant, located at 2609 Dr. MLK Jr. Street North, debuted on Wednesday, and brings with it an expanded menu, upgraded kitchen, and seating for up to 100 guests, both indoors and out.

The Violet Stone has come a long way since it launched as a food truck in 2022. After outgrowing the truck, owner Daniel Fekete set up shop in a small 800-square-foot space in Kenwood.

That original space had no air conditioning and just a few chairs and tables. Now, the team is settling into a 2,100-square-foot spot that finally matches Fekete’s vision for the restaurant.

July 30, 2025

Exclusive: 87-room Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel proposed for John’s Pass Village in Madeira Beach

July 30, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A new boutique hotel is in the works for Madeira Beach’s John’s Pass Village, offering visitors a new place to stay in the heart of the popular waterfront shopping and dining destination.

Prominent developer Bill Karns, who is also leading the Madeira Beach Town Center project, and Marcus Winters, owner of Caddy’s Restaurant Group, are proposing an 87-key Marriott Tribute hotel directly across from the iconic John’s Pass boardwalk.

The site, located on the southwest corner of 129th Avenue East and Pelican Lane, is owned by Karns and is currently being used as a 180-space surface parking lot.

The proposed six-story hotel will be a “condo-hotel,” a hybrid model that blends hotel and condominium features. Individual units will be available both for purchase and for nightly rentals.

July 30, 2025

Former Tampa Bay Times printing plant to be redeveloped with apartments and townhomes in North Kenwood

July 30, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A major redevelopment is coming to North Kenwood, where the former Tampa Bay Times printing plant once buzzed with activity for over 60 years.

Dallas-based real estate firm Crow Holdings, founded in 1948 by legendary developer Trammell Crow, has filed plans to build a 392-unit garden-style apartment complex at 1301 34th Street North just south of Sam’s Club.

The plans, submitted on Monday to the Southwest Florida Water Management District, call for six four-story apartment buildings, a clubhouse, and 577 surface parking spaces.

The property went under contract on July 1st, according to CoStar.

Since all three parcels are zoned Industrial Suburban (IS), residential development would only be allowed through the Live Local Act or Section 17.5 of St. Petersburg’s land development regulations. Both options require that at least 40% of the residential units be set aside as affordable housing for households earning up to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

July 29, 2025

Fire Flow St. Pete to bring infrared-heated hot yoga and sculpt classes to downtown St. Pete

July 29, 2025/ Brian Zucker

A modern, locally owned hot yoga and sculpt studio is preparing to open next month in St. Pete.

FireFlow will officially debut to the public on Saturday, August 2nd at 290 9th Street North.

Behind this exciting new venture is Selin Arsezen, a well-known figure in St. Pete’s yoga community who holds a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher certification (RYT-500).

Selin taught power yoga and sculpt classes locally in St. Pete for several years before deciding to create her own space.

The new 2,500-square-foot boutique studio will feature premium shock-absorbing floors for enhanced comfort and safety, along with high-quality infrared heating panels.

July 28, 2025

New renderings revealed for Convivial St. Pete, a 170-unit retirement community coming to the Skyway Marina District

July 28, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Convivial St. Petersburg, a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) planned for the city’s Skyway Marina District, has released its final architectural renderings.

The visuals offer the most detailed look yet at the design, amenities, and layout of the 170-unit senior living campus, which is expected to break ground in 2026.

The $172.5 million development is being led by Convivial Life, a Florida-based nonprofit organization that owns and operates senior living communities across the state.

The St. Petersburg campus will be located at 4595 34th Street South and marks a significant new entry into the local senior housing market.

The community will consist of two nine-story residential buildings, The Madison and The Lexington, connected by a skybridge with views of Boca Ciega Bay, downtown St. Pete, and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

July 28, 2025

Mazzaro’s is expanding with Zagara, an authentic Sicilian gelato and granita shop in St. Pete

July 28, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

The family behind St. Petersburg’s iconic Mazzaro’s Italian Market is about to sweeten the city once again.

This August, they’ll debut a new Sicilian-style gelato and granita shop called Zagara, located just steps away from their beloved market on 22nd Avenue North.

Named after the Italian word for “orange blossom,” Zagara will be housed across the street from Mazzaro’s at 3001 22nd Avenue North, inside the same building as Casa di Mazzaro, a specialty kitchenware store and tea shop.

“We visited Sicily last year and were inspired by the old-world markets, their style of gelato, and wanted to introduce it to St. Pete,” said Cindy Richmond, owner of Casa di Mazzaro and sister of Mazzaro’s owner, in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “We discontinued our cooking classes at Casa di Mazzaro in October to replace the kitchen space with this new concept.”