First Look at St. Pete Athletic: The massive 45,000-square-foot sports and social club coming to St. Pete
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A large industrial space in St. Pete’s burgeoning Warehouse Arts District is being transformed into a massive 45,000-square-foot urban country club featuring 14 pickleball courts, a private social club, multiple bars, and more.
Construction is underway on St. Pete Athletic Paddle & Social at 2544 Fairfield Avenue South, inside The Factory, a 90,000-square-foot arts and culture hub along the Pinellas Trail.
First announced in 2024, St. Pete Athletic is the brainchild of serial entrepreneur Reuben Pressman, founder of Presence, which sold to Modern Campus in 2021; Graham D’Amico, owner of Major League Pickleball’s Florida Smash; Jarrett Sabatini, owner of Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails and Bar Mezzo; and Nathan Stonecipher, owner of Green Bench Brewing.
The club, which was designed by local firm Wannemacher Jensen Architects, aims to go far beyond a typical indoor pickleball facility. In addition to pickleball, padel, table tennis, and billiards, St. Pete Athletic will feature a 6,000-square-foot social club, saunas, cold plunges, a gym, a coffee shop, and three distinct bars, including a members-only option.
Owners of St. Pete Athletic Reuben Pressman (left), Graham D’Amico, Jarrett Sabatini, and Nathan Stonecipher (right) | St. Pete Athletic
“The club is designed to provide a full experience for players and the public to play sports and connect in a fun, elevated atmosphere,” Pressman told St. Pete Rising on Tuesday.
Amenities will include six cabana-style table tennis stations and two indoor grass and turf courts for padel, a Mexican racket sport usually played in doubles on a smaller enclosed court.
According to Pressman, all courts are expected to be completed by July and a soft opening is expected in August.
Memberships, currently priced at $250 per month for individuals, $450 for couples, and $600 for families, are nearly sold out. Once full, St. Pete Athletic will start a waitlist for those interested in joining when a spot becomes available.
While the club will be open to the public, members will receive a range of exclusive perks. These include unlimited open play, members-only courts and lounge access, a private garden, preferred pricing at the restaurant and pro shop, full locker room and shower access, unlimited use of the on-site boutique fitness studio, and more.
Reservations are not required to play on open courts or participate in events, leagues, and programs. However, members will receive priority access for early reservations.
The facility will incorporate the latest in sports technology, with pickleball courts featuring live scorekeeping displays and instant replay recordings. Players can reserve courts and book coaching lessons in advance through a mobile app.
After a match, guests can enjoy a cocktail while watching live games from seats overlooking the courts. The club will also feature a new craft beer concept by Green Bench Brewing, offering IPAs, lagers, and stouts.
Additional bars will serve craft cocktails, balancing timeless classics with innovative seasonal offerings.
For those seeking a caffeine fix, the club will also offer a coffee and tea program with house-made beverages.
A full-service restaurant and cocktail bar, led by Intermezzo’s Jarrett Sabatini, will offer “country club classics” with a refined yet approachable menu crafted from a scratch kitchen.
Guests can order food and drinks throughout the facility—including courtside—via iPads and by scanning QR codes on tables.
St. Pete Athletic has attracted notable Tampa Bay investors, including ARK Invest founder Cathie Wood, Neptune Flood executives Trevor Burgess and Jon Carlon, professional pickleball players Catherine Parenteau and Travis Rettenmaier, and former Women’s Tennis Association CEO Larry Scott.
Once open, St. Pete Athletic will be the only facility in Florida to offer pickleball, padel, and table tennis under one roof. It will also be the first in the city with more than six pickleball courts.
For those new to pickleball or looking to improve, the club will offer private lessons with professionals, ball machines, and specialized clinics. St. Pete Athletic also plans to host tournaments, leagues, and kids’ camps year-round.
The facility will operate daily from 5 a.m. to midnight.
Visit the St. Pete Athletic website to reserve your membership and to virtually tour the facility. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.
