Multi-tenant retail building planned for the west end of Grand Central District
/A new 6,079 square foot retail building will be built at 2730 Central Avenue, replacing two smaller buildings | Google Maps
A 6,079-square-foot retail building has been proposed for the west end of the Grand Central District.
The property is located at 2730 Central Avenue, just steps from the corner of Central Avenue and 27th Street, an area known for popular neighborhood restaurants like Wild Child, Baba, Casita Taqueria, and Bandit Coffee.
The site, which is owned by local real estate investor Rossi Bonugli, was previously occupied by two single-family homes that had been converted for retail use. They were demolished a few months ago to make way for the new development.
Bonugli had rented out the spaces for years but envisioned a greater use for the property.
A rendering of a retail building planned for 2730 central avenue | rossi bonugli
“This section of Central Avenue known as the Grand Central District has long been neglected with only a few new retail buildings completed,” Bonguli said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “It’s our goal to continue supporting its revitalization.”
The five-unit building, estimated to cost $667,000 to construct, will include two 1,251-square-foot endcap units and three 1,205-square-foot inline units. The site plan shows nine surface parking spaces located along the rear alley.
“We plan on breaking ground as soon as we receive approved plans from the city. Construction is expected to take eight months,” Bonguli said.
Rossi has hired St. Pete-based companies Ed Seifried Construction, architectural design firm Fraze Design, and ARO Engineering.
The floorplan for the 6,079 square foot retail building coming soon to 2730 Central Avenue | rossi bonguli
The units will be available for rent in early 2026. Prospective retailers can connect with Jessica Dwyer of Dalton Wade Real Estate Group, who is leading the retail leasing.
This stretch of Central Avenue has seen a recent surge in activity as development continues to move west. The Driftwood on Central townhomes, completed last year, has fully leased its ground-floor retail, including a space to a new wine shop.
Meanwhile, the former China Finders building was recently renovated and now houses a new seafood restaurant and raw bar called Cheeky’s.
Bonguli is also renovating an 8,000-square-foot building at 1900 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District. The property was previously owned by Goodyear Rubber Products Inc.
Bonguli also owns a 4,624-square-foot building at 502 28th Street South in the Warehouse Arts District. Nordic Spa Klub, a Scandinavian-inspired cold plunge and sauna social club, currently leases 2,000 square feet of the space. The remaining space will be occupied by Planet 13, a medical marijuana company partially owned by boxer Mike Tyson.
