Two years after it was first announced, construction is set to commence on The Beachmaker, an eight-story, 161-unit Marriott Autograph Collection hotel in Madeira Beach.

Beginning in March, existing structures on the 2.5-acre site at 15000 Madeira Way will be demolished to make way for the new resort.

Over the years, the property has been home to a variety of local businesses, most recently Frabotta’s Beach Kitchen, which will close in mid-February, and Saltwater Hippie Beach Bar, which is relocating across the street to 15045 Madeira Way.

The new hotel is being spearheaded by local developer Bill Karns, who has partnered with Marcus Winters, owner of Caddy’s, and Jeff Beggins of Century 21.

Through Boca Ciega Land Co. LLC, the partners purchased the property for $13.5 million in 2022.

A new boutique condo building along Mirror Lake in downtown St. Pete has officially hit the market.

St. Pete-based Backstreets Capital has launched sales for The Cade, a seven-story mid-rise building coming soon to 749 Burlington Avenue North featuring just 15 luxury residences overlooking the historic lake.

Contracts are now being accepted, and a sales gallery has opened at 600 1st Avenue North.

“The Cade was designed to feel like home the moment you arrive,” said Will Conroy, President of Backstreets Capital. “With only 15 residences, everything from the scale of the homes to the way the building functions was considered to create a highly personal living experience.”

“This is a place for people who want the privacy, space, and character of a custom home, paired with an irreplaceable lakefront location in downtown St. Petersburg,” Conroy added.

The City of Largo is seeking a development partner to reimagine its longtime municipal campus into a vibrant mixed-use project.

City officials have issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting qualified development teams to submit plans for the redevelopment of the 14-acre city-owned property at 201 Highland Avenue North, a site that has served as Largo’s governmental center since 2000.

The campus currently includes Largo City Hall, the Largo Police Department, and the city’s Emergency Operations Center.

City Hall, however, is scheduled to relocate to Horizon West Bay, a new $85 million mixed-use development at 400 West Bay Drive in downtown Largo, once construction is completed later this year.

The existing City Hall building is expected to be demolished following the move. The relocation will free up approximately seven acres on the southern side of the campus.

City officials have cited the building’s age, costly repair needs, limited space for future growth, and poor storm resilience as key reasons for pursuing a new vision for the property.

Construction is officially underway on Palm Lake Urban Sanctuary, an 86-unit affordable housing community taking shape next to Palm Lake Christian Church in St. Petersburg’s Disston Heights neighborhood.

Newstar Development, Palm Lake Christian Church, and the Pinellas County Housing Authority marked the milestone Friday with a ground breaking and cornerstone blessing ceremony at the church’s campus at 5401 22nd Avenue North.

Once complete, Palm Lake Urban Sanctuary will deliver 86 one- and two-bedroom apartments reserved for households earning up to 80% of the area median income (AMI).

 The four-story building is expected to welcome residents by the end of the year, with affordability restrictions in place for at least 50 years.

The project began as a vision from Palm Lake Christian Church and its members to use underutilized land in a way that aligned with the church’s mission while also addressing St. Pete’s growing need for affordable housing.