Michael Saunders & Company to open new downtown St. Pete office inside 46-story 400 Central tower

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Michael Saunders & Company to open new downtown St. Pete office inside 46-story 400 Central tower

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.

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.

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46-story luxury condo tower 400 Central set to begin move-ins this month in downtown St. Pete

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46-story luxury condo tower 400 Central set to begin move-ins this month in downtown St. Pete

Rising 515 feet above downtown St. Petersburg, the Residences at 400 Central is preparing to welcome its first wave of residents.

The City of St. Petersburg has issued a temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) for the first 25 floors of the 46-story, 301-unit luxury condo tower, allowing buyers on the lower levels to begin closing on their units and moving in.

General contractor Suffolk Construction will continue building out floors 26 through 45, as well as the rooftop deck.

Developed by New York-based Red Apple Real Estate, 400 Central is the tallest residential building on Florida’s Gulf Coast and the tallest building in St. Pete.

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PNC Bank to open branch at 400 Central as tower nears completion in downtown St. Pete

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PNC Bank to open branch at 400 Central as tower nears completion in downtown St. Pete

Downtown St. Pete’s tallest tower has landed another major retail tenant.

PNC Bank has signed a lease for a roughly 3,000-square-foot branch at the 46-story Residences at 400 Central, which is slated to open later this year.

The branch be located along Central Avenue in the 301-unit condo tower being developed by New York–based Red Apple Group, which will include 60,000 square feet of high-end ground-floor retail and restaurant space.

Founder John Catsimatidis Sr. said PNC’s arrival underscores both the project’s momentum and its ties to the site’s past.

“Red Apple has a longstanding relationship with PNC across multiple business lines and we are thrilled to welcome them as a tenant at our iconic 400 Central project,” Catsimatidis said.

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400 Central developer asks Mayor Welch for more time to bid on Historic Gas Plant site

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400 Central developer asks Mayor Welch for more time to bid on Historic Gas Plant site

Red Apple Real Estate, the New York–based development firm behind the 46-story Residences at 400 Central in downtown St. Petersburg, has expressed interest in redeveloping the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District. But only if the city allows more time for proposals.

In a letter sent November 7th to Mayor Ken Welch and City Council, Red Apple CEO John Catsimatidis urged the city to extend its planned 30-day window for alternative submissions related to the site.

Earlier this month, Mayor Welch announced that he would open a brief period in mid-November for developers to submit competing proposals after the city received an unsolicited $6.8 billion plan led by Casey Ellison of Ellison Companies, Cathie Wood of ARK Invest, and Jonathan Graham of Horus Construction.

“Red Apple Real Estate is well-positioned to transform the 86 acres into what I call a ‘wow’ development,” Catsimatidis wrote, adding that his firm has the “knowledge, expertise, and relationships” to create market-rate and affordable housing, along with amenities that enhance quality of life and create jobs.

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Dynasty Financial Partners to move headquarters to 400 Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete

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Dynasty Financial Partners to move headquarters to 400 Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete

The 46-story 400 Central condo tower under construction in downtown St. Petersburg has landed a major tenant to anchor its office space.

Financial services firm Dynasty Financial Partners will move from the 15th floor of 200 Central Avenue to 400 Central, which is the tallest building in St. Petersburg.

Dynasty has signed a 15-year lease to occupy all of 400 Central’s 45,000 square feet of Class A office space, according to a joint announcement from developer Red Apple Group and Dynasty.

The new headquarters will include a private entrance and lobby, a 15,000-square-foot rooftop terrace for special events, and several other custom amenities. Construction is underway, with Dynasty's move slated for November 2026.

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Catsimatidis to honor in-laws with bronze memorial at 400 Central

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Catsimatidis to honor in-laws with bronze memorial at 400 Central

Just in time for International Sculpture Day on April 26th, New York developer and philanthropist John Catsimatidis Sr. is shining a bronze spotlight on his late in-laws — longtime St. Petersburg residents Albert “Lee” and Jane “Tatiana” Vondersaar.

Catsimatidis and his wife, Margo, have commissioned an eight-foot-tall bronze sculpture, currently in the works, which will stand proudly outside the entrance of the new 46-story Residences at 400 Central in downtown St. Pete.

Local sculptor Mark Aeling, known for his public art across the city, will create the tribute. His past works include First Flight at the St. Pete Pier, Gladiolus at the St. Petersburg Police Headquarters, and the bronze dolphins at Sundial in downtown St. Pete.

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Inside the 2025 Downtown Development Guide: Grappling with growth amid market headwinds

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Inside the 2025 Downtown Development Guide: Grappling with growth amid market headwinds

New zoning changes, the sweeping rise of commercial and residential development, and the promise of revitalizing neighborhoods are molding the ever-evolving identity of the Sunshine City.

This Tuesday, the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership released its 2025 Downtown St. Pete Development Guide, an annual resource tool providing a snapshot of the latest economic and commercial activity to encourage public and private stakeholders to spur healthy growth in the area.

"The data, trends, and projects on the horizon really comprise the blueprint for how we continue to grow with purpose, intention, and resilience," Mayor Ken Welch said during the Partnership's Development Summit hosted at the new EDGE Collective office building next to the Moxy Hotel.

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46-story 400 Central condo tower tops out in downtown St. Pete

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46-story 400 Central condo tower tops out in downtown St. Pete

Topping out at 515 feet tall, the roof of the 46-story Residences at 400 Central condominium tower has been poured — marking the completion of vertical construction for the tallest residential building on Florida's Gulf Coast.

New York billionaire John Catsimatidis Sr., founder of development company Red Apple Group, alongside select media members, met at the site on Saturday morning for an exclusive view from atop the tower being constructed at 400 Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete.

Crews from Suffolk Construction are actively building out the Sky Lounge and Observatory on the 46th floor of the tower, which Catsimatidis Sr. refers to as the “Empire State Building of St. Pete.”

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Crane collapse causes uncertain future for Karma Juice Bar and Eatery in downtown St. Pet

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Karma Juice Bar and Eatery owner Josie Barber didn't realize it at the time, but her last-minute decision to not hunker down inside her downtown restaurant during Hurricane Milton potentially saved her life.

As Milton swept through Florida last week as a Category 3 storm, its high winds caused a tower crane at 400 Central, a 46-story luxury condo tower currently under construction in downtown St. Pete, to topple onto an office building that houses Karma Juice Bar and Eatery.

While no injuries were reported in the eight-story building, located at 490 1st Avenue South, the 500-foot-tall crane allowed rainwater to pour into the floors and set off the emergency sprinklers, causing additional damage.

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Hurricane Milton plows through St. Pete, city commences recovery efforts

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Making landfall Wednesday evening near Siesta Key as a Category 3 storm, Milton unleashed its wrath throughout Florida with its outer bands also causing immense storm surge and property damage.

"It’s been a tough few weeks, but we’re still with you - we’re ready to recover and rebuild," the City of St. Petersburg team wrote on Facebook.

"City crews began accessing damage at daybreak and we’re encouraging all residents to stay off the roads until public safety officials deem it safe."

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