A rendering of Helios, a proposed 17-unit boutique hotel, as seen from the southeast on Pass-a-Grille in St. Pete Beach | Fusco, Shaffer and Pappas

A new boutique hotel has been proposed for a waterfront property on Pass-a-Grille in St. Pete Beach.

Local developer DevMar Development, which has built several projects in St. Pete, is seeking site plan approval from the City of St. Pete Beach to construct a four-story, 17-unit hotel called Helios at 702 Pass-a-Grille Way.

The 0.35-acre property is currently home to a small one-bedroom short-term rental, which would be demolished to make way for the new development.

All 17 units will feature two bedrooms and range from 909 to 1,112 square feet, more than twice the size of a typical hotel room.

The ground level will contain a 17-space parking area beneath the building, while the second and third floors will contain six units each, and the fourth floor will have five units.

A rooftop deck will feature a pool, lounge seating with TVs and shade, and benches for guests to enjoy waterfront views.

Additional amenities will be located on the ground floor, including a fitness center and a guest lounge.

“I have a real passion for Pass-a-Grille. It’s my absolute favorite place to be,” said Mark DeMaria, CEO of DevMar Development, in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “I think this is an extremely in-demand offering, not just for St. Pete Beach, but especially for Pass-a-Grille. We’re essentially providing very upscale, luxury condo units, and it’s limited to only 17 units to keep it exclusive.”

A rooftop deck will feature a pool, lounge seating with TVs and shade, and benches for guests to enjoy waterfront views | Fusco, Shaffer and Pappas

The hotel will incorporate modern technology that allows guests to check in digitally, eliminating the need for an in-person front desk.

Helios will also offer flexible length of stays. Vacationers can stay for one or two weeks, while snowbirds are welcome to book a unit for three months.

The site plan is set to be reviewed by the City of St. Pete Beach’s Technical Review Committee on August 13th. The project will also be heard before the Historic Preservation Board.

DeMaria expects construction to begin in the first half of 2026, with an anticipated opening by mid-2027.

A rendering of Helios from the northeast | Fusco, Shaffer and Pappas

Financing is expected to come from private investors alongside debt financing through Hall Structured Finance, a Dallas-based lender specializing in multifamily and hotel developments.

The project team includes architecture firm Fusco, Shaffer & Pappas from Michigan, St. Pete-based civil engineering firm Vickstrom Engineering Services, and landscape architect Booth Design Group.

Helios marks DevMar’s fourth project in Pinellas County. Previous developments include the 211-unit Vantage St. Pete apartment tower in the Grand Central District, the 100-unit Mint House hotel in the EDGE District, and the approved but not yet constructed 20-story Sky St. Pete apartment tower.