Sales for a new boutique condominium building in downtown St. Pete have launched on a familiar site just two blocks from Beach Drive. Planned for the southwest corner of 4th Avenue North and 1st Street North, the building will be named The Julia.   

In talking exclusively with St. Pete Rising, real estate developer Peter Francis, of Francis Family, LLC, discussed his vision for the building prior to its launch. “This is a boutique project and it’s going to be very customizable. We want the people moving in here to see it as not just another condominium building but as a home,” says Francis, “We’re going to make this a very intimate experience.”

With approximately 15 units and a maximum of two units per floor, The Julia promises to be a highly customizable boutique condominium building unlike some of downtown St. Pete’s larger condo developments. Given the building’s size there will rarely be crowds at the pool or waits for the elevator, aspects which could be key selling points in today’s COVID-19 environment.

The Julia is named after Francis’ 10-year old daughter Julia, one of his four children. “My daughter Julia has a huge heart. I’m 6’5 and my wife is 5’11 so we’re expecting her to be pretty tall too,” he laughs. “When I imagine this building and I think of something tall and beautiful, I think of my daughter Julia. I wanted this project to have a name that was meaningful to me.”

In addition to Peter Francis, John Bielefeldt of Crown Capital Group is consulting on the project and Kyle Parks of B2 Communications is handling public relations.

The team behind The Julia expects a significant percentage of buyers to come from northern cities like New York, Washington D.C., and Chicago; however they also have seen a lot of interest from local empty nesters who live in St. Pete neighborhoods like Snell Isle and Old Northeast.

“As of now, there is less than a three months’ supply of condo units over $1 million for sale in downtown St. Petersburg,” says Francis “With this lack of supply and significant demand for units, we believe now is the perfect time to launch The Julia.”

In addition to custom finishes, the building is also being designed so that units can be combined to create lofts with 20-foot ceilings or full-floor estate units.

The top three floors of the building will be occupied by the penthouse unit which Francis says will be unlike any other in downtown St. Pete. At over 6,000 square feet with more than 2,000 square feet terrace patio and balcony space, the unit will be one of the largest in downtown St. Pete.

Leisa Erickson of Engel & Völkers, St. Pete is handling sales for the project. “These units will cater to a special owner seeking something that can’t be found anywhere else downtown,” says Erickson. Amenities for The Julia will include a cold water plunge pool, spa pool, outdoor garden, and rooftop terrace. Pricing for the units starts at one million dollars.

The lot at 100 4th Avenue North, where The Julia is proposed, has had quite the history in recent years. Beginning in November 2017 the parcel was destined to become the site of a high-rise condominium tower.

First Bezu, a 24-story 300-ft condominium tower, was proposed for the site in 2018. Then it was Blue Lotus, a 180-ft version of the project. While Bezu was shot down by the St. Pete City Council in 2018, the smaller Blue Lotus proposal prevailed and was approved in 2019.

The Julia is a modified version of the Blue Lotus proposal, which means it is fully approved and will not need to go before any public hearings. If all goes according to plan, a ground breaking would take place in early 2021 and would wrap up in late 2022.

The Julia joins a number of condominium projects that are in the works for downtown St. Pete. Most significantly is Saltaire, a 35-story condominium tower which is under construction at 300 1st Street S. And recently, St. Pete Rising broke the news on a 40-unit affordable luxury project planned for 3rd Avenue South.

For information on The Julia, call 727-234-1311, visit their website, or email info@the-julia.com.