Massive 31-story, twin-tower development approved for downtown St. Pete
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The City of St. Petersburg has officially approved plans for one of downtown’s largest-ever residential projects, a transformative $225 million development featuring two 31-story towers at the former headquarters of UPC Insurance.
First reported by St. Pete Rising earlier this year, the project at 800 2nd Avenue South is being led by local developer Echelon, LLC and Tampa-based investment advisory firm Third Lake Partners.
Now greenlit by the City, the development will move forward with site plan approvals, setting the stage for construction to begin as early as the first quarter of 2026.
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A St. Pete native and former USF basketball star is preparing to open what he calls a love letter to his hometown.
Love Language 727 Restaurant & Lounge will open in October at 3063 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District.
The space was previously home to 31 Grand, a sports bar that closed in late 2024 following back-to-back hurricanes. Before that, it housed Punky’s Bar and Grill, an LGBTQ-friendly establishment that closed in 2022 after nearly seven years in business.
Owner Jimmy Devon Baxter is returning to St. Pete after nearly two decades in Atlanta, where he said he was inspired by the city’s experience-driven restaurant and lounge scene.
After graduating from Boca Ciega High School, he played basketball for the University of South Florida from 2000 to 2004.
During his senior year, Baxter received the NCAA Award of Valor for helping rescue two men trapped inside a vehicle following a violent crash. The City of Tampa also presented him with a key to the city for his efforts.