21-story, 310-unit apartment tower planned for 1st Avenue North in the EDGE District

Just three months after announcing plans to build 300-400 apartments at the crossroads of Central Avenue and 34th Street, Virginia-based developer Kettler is now pitching plans for another project in St. Pete.

The proposed $100 million apartment tower, which would rise at the northwest corner of 1123 1st Avenue North in the EDGE District, was recently submitted to the City of St. Pete for approval.

Plans call for the construction of a new 21-story tower featuring 310 apartments above parking for 360 vehicles. The project will also include 6,766 square feet of commercial space, 351 square feet of office space, and parking for 325 bicycles.

“We’re really excited about our projects in St. Pete,” said Luke Davis, Chief Investment Officer at Kettler in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “The city is very quaint, it's very approachable. It's got a lot of character in terms of the restaurants and the shopping. It's extremely walkable. There aren't a lot of other places like that in Florida.”

A 21-story tower featuring 310 apartments has been proposed for the northwest corner of 1st Avenue North and 11th Street North. The new tower will be constructed within the red boundary. The buildings outlined in blue will remain.

Kettler’s new development will join a bevy of projects that are coming soon to the burgeoning EDGE District, including a 163-key Moxy hotel by Marriott, a 15-story 269-unit apartment tower, and a mixed-use development which will feature 125,000 square feet of office space, a Marriott hotel, workforce housing, and ground-floor retail space.

In addition to its St. Pete developments, Kettler is also partnering with Ybor City developer Darryl Shaw on Gas Worx, a 50-acre mixed-use redevelopment project that broke ground in March.

Kettler purchased the EDGE District site in November 2022 in a series of transactions totaling $20.8 million.

The property is currently used for office, retail space, and surface parking. Kettler proposes to redevelop the surface parking and a portion of the existing retail spaces, which contains 1st Avenue Liquors and a vacant standalone building that was previously occupied by Deep Blue Fitness.

An existing three-story building, which is home to Zubrick Magic Theatre, and a single-story building, which contains MÜV cannabis dispensary, will remain.

Kettler’s 21-story apartment tower will occupy the red boundary. The buildings outlined in blue will remain.

Pedestrian access to the residential lobby and retail spaces will be from 1st Avenue North and Arlington Avenue North. Entrance to the parking garage will be from Arlington Avenue North.

The development is located in the Downtown Center-1 (DC-1) zoning district, which allows for some of the most intense development in the city. The DC-1 district permits mixed-use developments with a maximum floor area ratio (FAR) of 7.0 and maximum height of 212 feet.

Kettler’s development in the EDGE District is being proposed at the max allowable FAR of 7.0 and max allowable height of 212 feet.

A site plan for the 21-story apartment tower proposed for 1123 1st Avenue North in the EDGE District of St. Pete

The proposal will be heard on Thursday, July 20th by City Council convening as the Community Redevelopment Agency for consistency with the Intown West Redevelopment Plan. City staff have recommended approval.

If approved by the CRA, the project will then need approval from the Development Review Commission. A hearing date has not been set yet.

Kettler is expected to break ground on the project early next year.