Sundial to undergo major renovations in downtown St. Pete
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Nearly a year after purchasing the Sundial retail and dining center at 153 2nd Avenue North in downtown St. Pete for $21.13 million, St. Petersburg-based Paradise Ventures and Tampa-based Ally Capital Group have unveiled a plan to renovate a portion of the 85,357-square-foot plaza.
Designed by Behar and Peteranecz, a St. Petersburg-based architecture firm, the reimagined Sundial will feature multimillion dollars in improvements intended to revitalize the once upscale retail destination into a modern mixed-use urban destination.
The most significant change will be a complete overhaul and activation of the plaza’s courtyard. Plans call for an updated courtyard with a large outdoor bar and plenty of communal green space for engaging programming and for guests to sit and enjoy food and drink.
“Placemaking is important, and the new Sundial is designed to be extension of the community,” said Andrew Wright, Chief Executive Officer of Ally Capital Group. “A place that enhances the city socially, economically and culturally. A space where celebrations are had, where business is done and where friends run into each other.
These changes mean saying farewell to the nearly two-story sundial and the six life-size bronze dolphins that have called the plaza’s courtyard home for the past ten years. The sculptures were commissioned in 2012 by then-owner Bill Edwards as the centerpiece for Sundial, his vision for a revitalized Bay Walk.
Although the iconic sundial will be gone, the plaza will still retain the Sundial name.
“We have a unique opportunity to create a centralized gathering and shopping space that can grow with our city,” said Mike Connor, President and CEO of Paradise Ventures. “A space that compliments the development landscape of St. Petersburg and that is a long term investment in the city.”
To bring new life to the Sundial brand, Sundial owners have partnered with House of Current, an Atlanta-based agency specializing in storytelling through branding, social, and design.
Since purchasing the plaza last year, the new owners have not signed any new tenants to the retail center, which currently sits at around 50% occupied. However, it’s not due to lack of interest. The owners are being very selective, ensuring the tenant mix is the right fit for not only Sundial, but St. Pete as well.
Tampa restauranteur Jeff Gigante has expressed a desire in bringing another Forbici Modern Italian to Sundial. However, a lease has yet to be signed.
Sundial is currently home to nine businesses including Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Sea Salt, White House Black Market, Chico’s, Tommy Bahama, Jackie Z. Style Co., Diamonds Direct, Spice & Tea Exchange, and Man Cave.
The complex also features the AMC Sundial 12 movie theater, which was purchased by Washington D.C.-based private equity firm Carlyle Group in a $3 billion portfolio purchase last year.
Architectural and engineering design for the new improvements are currently under way with infrastructure improvements set to begin later this spring. The team expects to reintroduce the property at the end of the year.
