A rendering of Geoffrey Zakarian’s restaurant at The central in downtown st. petersburg | ellison development

Internationally recognized chef and TV personality Geoffrey Zakarian will introduce a new restaurant concept at The Central, a new mixed-use development under construction in the EDGE District of downtown St. Pete.

Zakarian, celebrated for his modern American cuisine, more than 25 years leading top kitchens nationwide, and frequent appearances on competitive cooking shows, announced Tuesday that his flagship restaurant will open inside the 168-room Central Hotel at 1301 Central Avenue, part of the 2.1-acre development. The hotel will be part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection.

“St. Petersburg is a city brimming with energy and creativity, and we are thrilled to create a dining experience that captures that spirit,” Zakarian said in a statement.

a rendering of Geoffrey Zakarian’s restaurant at the central | ellison development

“The Central is unlike any development I’ve seen. Being able to bring our culinary leadership not only to the hotel restaurant, but also to the hotel’s events and Halcyon’s office tenants, is a truly unique opportunity. We look forward to building something world-class that both the community and visitors will love.”

The name and cuisine of the restaurant hasn’t been announced, but it will be “thoughtfully designed around St. Petersburg’s unique story, blending local flavor with the sophisticated approach that has made [Zakarian] a household name,” according to the release.

The Central is being led by Ellison Development with other partners including J Square Developers, DDA Development, and Backstreets Capital. The development was designed by Tim Clemmons of St. Pete-based Place Architecture.

A rendering of the piano bar coming to the central in downtown St. Pete | ellison development

Zakarian, who has garnered fame through Food Network shows Chopped and the Emmy-nominated The Kitchen, in addition to being an Iron Chef on Iron Chef America, will also manage all food, beverage, and hospitality services through his company, Zakarian Hospitality, for Halcyon, the project’s office tower.

Halcyon will be 11-story office building connected to the Central Hotel offering 125,000 square feet of Class A office space. In July, ARK Invest, a leading global investment firm known for its focus on disruptive innovation, announced it would relocate to the Halcyon office building.

Zakarian Hospitality will also manage all food & beverage operations at the Central Hotel including a planned rooftop pool bar and jazz lounge, banquets, catering, and curated culinary experiences designed for hotel guests and office tenants.

Casey Ellison, CEO of Ellison Development, called Zakarian’s involvement a defining moment for The Central’s vision.

A rendering of Geoffrey Zakarian’s new restaurant coming to the central in downtown St. Pete | ellison development

“Everything at The Central is rooted in quality, from the design to the experiences we’re creating,” Ellison said.

“Bringing in Geoffrey Zakarian for his first new restaurant in nearly a decade is a perfect example of that commitment. His decision to come to St. Pete validates our belief that people are seeking out places and projects defined by excellence, and The Central is setting that standard.”

“Chef Geoffrey Zakarian’s decision to launch his next concept here elevates St. Pete's growing reputation as a premier food destination and underscores our city as a place where innovation and excellence thrive,” said St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch.

A rendering of the pool and adjacent pool bar that Zakarian Hospitality will operate | ellison development

“This restaurant at The Central will be a remarkable addition that reflects our city’s momentum for both residents and visitors alike.”

Construction on the office tower is expected to begin later this year, and construction on Central Hotel is expected to commence in early 2026. Ellison Development recently opened a 540-space public parking garage on the site.

The Central will also include a 42-unit workforce housing component in a future phase.