Michael Saunders & Company to open new downtown St. Pete office inside 46-story 400 Central tower
/the 46-story 400 central tower in downtown st. petersburg | St. Pete Rising
Sarasota-based real estate firm Michael Saunders & Company is expanding into downtown St. Petersburg with a new office on the ground floor of the 46-story Residences at 400 Central luxury condo tower, which is set to welcome its first residents later this month.
The company, which has served as the exclusive sales agent for Red Apple Group’s 400 Central project, has leased 3,000 square feet fronting Central Avenue. The new office slated to open in spring 2026.
In the meantime, Michael Saunders & Company will operate from a temporary office across the street at 449 Central Avenue while continuing to run the 400 Central sales gallery at 465 Central Avenue.
View of 400 central from central avenue | st. pete rising
The expansion strengthens the firm’s presence in the Tampa Bay market at a time when it has added several well-known local agents, including the Jennifer Thayer Group, Julie Larsen, Rodger Kooser, Ashley Nuccio, Dale Guivas, Rick Scherer, and the Dynasty Group.
“Our success has always been built around exceptional people,” said Drayton Saunders, president of Michael Saunders & Company. “Welcoming accomplished agents with trusted relationships aligns with our values and our vision for continued growth across the region.”
Michael Saunders & Company has played a central role in the development of the Residences at 400 Central, where roughly 250 of the building’s 301 luxury condominiums are now under contract with prices ranging from $1 million to over $5 million for the penthouses.
The entrance to the 400 cental lobby | st. pete rising
“Since sales began at 400 Central, the team at Michael Saunders & Co. has been by our side and has led our outreach to buyers and helped make our building the most sought after place to live in Florida,” said John Catsimatidis Sr., founder of Red Apple Group. “We are excited that they have decided to make 400 Central their new St. Petersburg flagship location. They will be making a big splash in the St. Pete market for years to come.”
The opening of the St. Pete office will also coincide with the firm’s 50th anniversary next year, building on recent expansions in Sanibel and Captiva and a forthcoming office debut in Wellen Park in south Sarasota County.
John Catsimatidis Sr. of Red Apple and Michael Saunders of Michael Saunders & Co. (MSC) sign a lease for MSC to occupy office space in 400 Central | photo provided
“Our expansion into St. Petersburg reflects our confidence in this dynamic market and deepens our roots here,” said Michael Saunders, Founder and CEO of Michael Saunders & Company. “We are especially proud to continue our collaboration with Red Apple Group and be a part of their iconic building that will soon house our permanent office”.
The Residences at 400 Central reaches a height of 515 feet and is the tallest residential building on Florida’s Gulf Coast and the tallest building in St. Petersburg.
At full completion, the project will include 60,000 square feet of ground floor retail and restaurant space, a full suite of resident amenities, 45,000 square feet of Class A office space, and 900 parking spaces.
Several commercial tenants have already committed to the development. PNC Bank has leased a 3,000-square-foot branch set to open later this year.
In June, Dynasty Financial Partners signed a 15-year lease for the entire eighth floor, totaling 45,000 square feet of office space.
An aerial of 400 central | st. pete rising
In July, Volta Wine + Market announced plans for a 2,000-square-foot wine shop, specialty market, and intimate wine bar along Central Avenue. The Red Apple team is finalizing additional retail leases that will be announced soon.
Construction will continue to progress in phases. The development team recently received a temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) for the first 25 floors, allowing buyers on the lower levels to begin closing on their units and moving in.
General contractor Suffolk Construction will continue finishing floors 26 through 45 and the rooftop deck, and the remaining floors are expected to receive their temporary certificate of occupancy early next year.
Other partners involved in the development include Miami-based Arquitectonica as the architect, New York City-based Celano Design Studio for interior design, and St. Petersburg-based Clear Ph Design for branding and marketing.
