Done Deals is a weekly column by St. Pete Rising spotlighting recent real estate market insight and significant deals happening in the Sunshine City and beyond. The following information is sourced from public records and trusted intel.

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Rays select construction manager for future ballpark

The Tampa Bay Rays have selected contracting firm Mortenson Construction and its partners to oversee the construction of their planned $1.3 billion stadium.

The Tampa Bay Rays, in cooperation with the City of St. Petersburg, issued a Request for Qualifications in April to work with a firm or joint venture or partnership interested in providing construction management at risk services.

Minneapolis-based Mortenson Construction and Indianapolis-based AECOM Hunt were the two firms that responded to the RFQ.

Local firms Beck, Envision, and The Orenda Collective are working with Mortenson on the project, according to the Sports Business Journal.

The enclosed stadium is set to be the most intimate in Major League Baseball (MLB) with a capacity of 30,000.

The new ballpark will be located on 10 to 15 acres and anchor the massive $6.5 billion, 86-acre mixed-use Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment in downtown St. Pete.

According to the solicitation notice, the stadium must be constructed and occupied no later than January 2, 2028.

The Rays, working with Hines as the master developer, recently selected Populous Holdings Inc. as the lead architect for the ballpark.

Stella's opens wine and gourmet cheese shop

Stella's, a Gulfport staple known for its award-winning breakfast and brunch, has expanded with a third shop offering wines and gourmet cheeses. 

While people set off fireworks for the Fourth of July, Stella's toasted to the opening of their new concept - Stella's Divine Wine and Gourmet - located steps away from Stella's and Stella's Sundries.

The new shop at 2904 Beach Boulevard South was formerly occupied by Red Hot Tiki Spicy Gourmet Shop, which closed in late May and now sells products online.

Stella's Divine Wine and Gourmet sells over 60 different types of fine wine from small vineyards, assorted cheeses and meats, sauces, and gourmet items sold at Stella’s Sundries, a gift shop featuring books, cards, kitchen items, and souvenirs. 

The original Stella's was founded in 2009 by Barbara Banno, who named the restaurant after her late Aunt Stella, a nun with the Dominican Congregations in New York City.

Be sure to follow Stella's on Facebook and Instagram for the latest announcements on the new shop.

Kay’s Family Restaurant building sells 

The home of Kay’s Family Restaurant, which recently closed after serving St. Petersburg for 28 years, has a new owner. 

Business owners Gzim and Zafi Xheka sold the restaurant building at 6475 Central Avenue for $1.6 million to the Florida Rental Properties Lake Pasadena LLC entity. 

The LLC is connected to William “Bill” Hepscher, founder of Tampa-based medication management group RxManage. The buyer’s plans for the property are currently unknown. 

The 2,030-square-foot building was constructed in 1970 and has an outdoor dining area.  

Both the family-style restaurant business and property were previously listed for sale. 

Restored mid-century home in St. Pete lists 

A 1957 restored mid-century home in St. Pete’s Jungle Terrace neighborhood has been listed for sale for $1.399 million. 

The home at 8220 24th Avenue North, once owned by Phillip S. Gee, the owner and operator of Pappy's Packaging Store in St. Pete Beach, underwent a curated renovation modernizing the home while keeping much of its original charm, according to the listing. 

Inside the 2,897-square-foot home, guests are greeted by a two-story ceiling and expansive original floor-to-ceiling windows.

The three-bedroom home boasts restored and refinished terrazzo floors, a travertine fireplace, and a suspended staircase crafted with suspension wires tied into the ceiling beams.

The double lot features an outdoor oasis with Japanese-style landscaping and a refurbished orchid house.

The property last sold in 2000 for $250,000. 

Low-income housing planned for St. Pete’s Midtown community

A local non-for-profit is proposing to develop a new 28-unit affordable housing complex in the Melrose-Mercy community across from St. Pete College’s Douglas L. Jamerson, Jr. Midtown Center campus.

Pathway 2 Success, an organization providing low-income housing and educational mentorship for disadvantaged populations in St. Pete, plans to build Midtown Apartments, a residential complex on the northeast corner of 13th Avenue South and Union Street South.

A site plan application filed with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) shows two six-unit buildings, ranging from 3,972 to 4,411 square feet, and one 6,405-square-foot building with 16 units. 

The group, which has owned the parcels since 2020, is working with St. Pete-based architect Fraze Design. 

The organization previously filed plans to develop 27 apartments in multiple buildings on the property; however, the City of St. Petersburg rejected the proposal.