49-story Waldorf Astoria Residences condo tower preliminarily approved for downtown St. Pete

49-story Waldorf Astoria Residences condo tower preliminarily approved for downtown St. Pete

The St. Petersburg City Council, acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, has approved preliminary plans for the 49-story Waldorf Astoria Residences at 150 2nd Avenue South in downtown St. Petersburg.

The council unanimously voted to advance the project, following discussions on hurricane preparedness, crane safety protocols, and pushback from residents of the neighboring Saltaire condo tower. These concerns were highlighted by a recent crane collapse at the nearby 46-story Residences at 400 Central construction site. 

The Waldorf Astoria Residences will be St. Petersburg’s first hotel-branded luxury condominium, offering 164 residential units. The development will also feature approximately 63,251 square feet of Class A office space and 14,398 square feet of ground-floor retail.

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Savannah Bananas to bring their viral baseball show to Tropicana Field in March

Savannah Bananas to bring their viral baseball show to Tropicana Field in March

The Savannah Bananas will bring Banana Ball to St. Petersburg during their 2025 World Tour! The team has announced it will play at Tropicana Field on March 15 and 16, 2025.

For those unfamiliar, the Savannah Bananas have become a national sensation, transforming America’s pastime into a high-energy, theatrical event that blends baseball with fun and flair. "Banana Ball" features a fast-paced format with unconventional rules that keep fans on the edge of their seats.

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St. Petersburg launches the “We Are St. Pete Fund” to aid in Helene recovery efforts

St. Petersburg launches the “We Are St. Pete Fund” to aid in Helene recovery efforts

The City of St. Petersburg, in collaboration with the Pinellas Community Foundation, has introduced the "We Are St. Pete Fund" to support disaster relief efforts for residents, small businesses, and city employees affected by Hurricane Helene.

The fund allows donors to specify how they want their contributions used, and all donations will be allocated directly to those impacted by the hurricane. 

Mayor Kenneth T. Welch emphasized the importance of community solidarity, stating, "Many of our St. Pete residents and small businesses are facing devastation after Hurricane Helene—now is the time to come together as a community.”

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Dramatic redesign unveiled for 49-story Waldorf Astoria Residences in downtown St. Pete

Dramatic redesign unveiled for 49-story Waldorf Astoria Residences in downtown St. Pete

Less than a month after St. Pete Rising exclusively reported plans for the 49-story Waldorf Astoria Residences at 150 2nd Avenue South in downtown St. Pete, the project has undergone a significant redesign. 

New plans, expected to be filed later this month, reveal that the luxury condominium tower will no longer be designed by New York-based SLCE Architects

Instead, the tower will be designed by Miami-based CUBE 3.

While the building's overall function remains largely the same, its design has seen dramatic changes compared to the initial release in August.

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Fortune 500 company Foot Locker to move global headquarters to St. Pete

Fortune 500 company Foot Locker to move global headquarters to St. Pete

New York-based retailer Foot Locker has announced it will move its global headquarters to St. Petersburg, according to the company’s second quarter financial earnings report.

“To further support strategic progress against the Lace Up Plan, Foot Locker, Inc. is also announcing that it will move its global headquarters to St. Petersburg, Florida in late 2025,” says the release.

“The intent of the relocation is to further build on the Company's meaningful presence in St. Petersburg and to enable increased collaboration among teams across banners and functions, while also reducing costs.”

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