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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St. Pete apartment complex sells for over $61 million

The 477-unit Drake at St. Pete Apartments complex has sold for $61.58 million.

Brandywine Multifamily Partners sold the property at 1699 68th Street North to an LLC connected to Excelsa, a Maryland-based real estate private equity firm.

The Drake at St. Pete Apartments, constructed in 1972, has studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom units ranging from 400 to 1,250 square feet across two buildings.

The former owners recently renovated the units with new washers/dryers, stainless appliances, wood-look vinyl plank flooring, modern cabinets, countertops, and lighting fixtures.

Residential amenities include two dog parks, three resort-style pools, outdoor grills, a fitness center, a clubhouse, and on-site Amazon Hub Lockers.

The buyer took out a $5.159 million loan from Berkadia, a Berkshire Hathaway and Jefferies Financial Group company.

Excelsa, which has offices in the U.S. and the Middle East, has over $422 million in assets under management.

St. Pete pet store relocates on Central Avenue

Bark Life Market & More, a pet store offering grooming and other services, has relocated to a new shop along Central Avenue. Bark Life is owned by locals Tammy and Mike Vasquez. 

The business, previously located at 6647 Central Avenue, has relocated to 7134 Central Avenue.

A grand opening event was held on July 15th for the new 3,192-square-foot pet store.

Artist Mike Ginny recently completed an exterior mural on the building.

Bark Life Market & More has two additional shops in Seminole and one in Indian Shores.

Select stores offer grooming, training, doggie daycare, and overnight boarding services. 

New upscale restaurant concept to debut on Beach Drive

Juno & The Peacock, a new bar and restaurant concept, will open on August 23rd at 400 Beach Drive in downtown St. Petersburg.

The new concept comes after 400 Beach Seafood & Tap House, a longtime restaurant staple, abruptly closed for renovations last year. 

However, instead of reopening, the restaurant will be replaced by the entirely new restaurant and cocktail lounge.

Juno & The Peacock, which draws its name from one of Aesop's fables, will feature American dishes, like dry-aged steaks, along with modern coastal cuisine, such as a seafood tower, seared grouper, and crab cakes.

The restaurant will also offer a menu of classic cocktails and a robust selection of 1,400 wines, primarily sourced from New World regions.

Pluma, a new cocktail lounge located inside Juno & The Peacock, will also open.

The lounge, which will draw influence from South and Central America, will be an extension of the restaurant offering a place to grab a cocktail before or after dinner, or a night out destination of its own.

It will be open daily for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.

Clearwater Hilton hotel sells

The Homewood Suites by Hilton St. Petersburg-Clearwater hotel has sold for $14 million.

Global hospitality group HHH Hotels sold the 112-key hotel at 2233 Ulmerton Road in Clearwater to Greenfield Realty Inc.

The Greenfield Realty entity is connected to Hitesh Patel, Vice President of Operations at Jamsan Hotel Management Inc. in Massachusetts.

The hotel, built in 1997, recently renovated its one- and two-bedroom suites with new bathroom vanities and cabinets.

Guest amenities include an outdoor pool, a 24-hour fitness center, a business center, meeting rooms, and a laundry service.

Patel took out a $11.125 million mortgage loan from American Bank NA.

Clearwater assisted living facility refinances debt

The Palm Garden of Clearwater, a provider of short- and long-term care and rehabilitation services, has refinanced its debt.

Florida Convalescent Centers Inc. sold the 72,385-square-foot complex at 3480 N. McMullen Booth Road to PGCLE RE LLC.

The large Medicare and Medicaid-certified 165-bed center offers skilled nursing and outpatient therapy.

The buyer took out a roughly $13.1 million loan from Regions Bank.