The downtown development boom is starting to have ripple effects on the areas surrounding the downtown core. Neighborhoods like the Grand Central District, Warehouse Arts District, and EDGE District have all benefited from Downtown St. Pete’s increasing popularity. And as these communities continue to evolve, they’ve started to develop distinct identities and personalities of their own.

The Grand Central District, for example, is a growing, creative, and bohemian collection of 350 locally owned and operated businesses, including merchants, restaurants, bars, art galleries, professional services, and health and wellness providers. The neighborhood is located just west of Downtown St Pete with boundaries between 31st Street to 16th Street, and includes Central Avenue, 1st Avenue North and 1st Avenue South.

Many of the small businesses that would have once eyed the 600 block are instead looking west down Central Avenue due to significantly cheaper rents. While this shift is seen as a negative by many, the businesses moving into the district have reactivated buildings, and even entire blocks, that have sat underutilized or vacant for decades.

And with each new coffee shop, vintage store, and restaurant that opens up, people’s desire to live nearby increases. To help satisfy the residential demand, Indianapolis-based developer Onyx+East has proposed a 19-unit boutique townhome development on the northwest corner of 1st Avenue North and 26th Street.

Peregrine Construction Group is the general contractor and Sight Real Estate is handling sales.

"1st Avenue North is such an exciting location for this unique project. It's the perfect transition between the vast retail experiences in the Grand Central District and the eclectic Historic Kenwood Neighborhood,” says Michael Mincberg, President of Sight Real Estate. “With the Warehouse Arts District located just South and downtown a couple miles away, this project is perfect for that DTSP lifestyle.”

Situated between the Grand Central District and Historic Kenwood, the community will be named Six Point Row, referring to the iconic hexagon pavers that line the sidewalks in the neighborhood. Each townhome will be three stories with a rooftop deck and will range from around 1,500 square feet to over 2,300 square feet. 

Most of the units will open up to 1st Avenue North or 26th Street, but four units will face an interior courtyard. Reflecting the diversity of the buildings in the neighborhood, the homes will use a mix of materials including brick, stucco, and slate siding. 

And while there is usually ample street parking in the area, 16 of the 19 units will feature two-car garages and the remaining three units will have one car garages. The community is also planning to feature a small private dog park.

“The townhomes were inspired by the urban dweller who wants to own, desires more space and privacy but has discerning taste for great design,” says Mincberg. 

But it’s the location of the project that is most exciting. The community is less than a block away from Central Avenue and local establishments like Casita Taqueria, Bandit Coffee, and Baba, a new Mediterranean eatery coming soon by the same owners as Bodega.

While it’s situated just outside of Downtown St. Pete, the downtown core is still easily accessible via PSTA’s Central Avenue Trolly or the nearest Coast Bike Share hub at 27th St. and Central Ave.

Construction permits have been approved and site work will start in the next two weeks. The project is expected to take between 14 and 16 months to complete, so look for this project to wrap up around the second half of 2020. Pricing of the townhomes is expected to start at $445,000.

For more information on the project, visit their website. Or to inquire about reservations or sales, email Onyx+East at FLSALES@onyxandeast.com or call 813-425-2450.