Aerial St. Pete: A bird’s-eye view of St. Pete’s development boom

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Aerial St. Pete: A bird’s-eye view of St. Pete’s development boom

The latest edition of Aerial St. Pete highlights the progress of six major real estate projects currently under construction in St. Petersburg.

Aerial St. Pete is a recurring column by St. Pete Rising that features exclusive aerial photography documenting the city’s rapid development. To capture these images, we’ve partnered with AB3 Visuals.

This month’s update showcases construction progress at the Residences at 400 Central, Art House, 3rd & 3rd, Echelon Site 7 & 8, Sky Town, and Viv Apartments.

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Foxtail Coffee Co. to open at Liberty Yards in downtown Largo

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Foxtail Coffee Co. to open at Liberty Yards in downtown Largo

Foxtail Coffee Co. will soon bring its signature craft coffee and cozy aesthetic to downtown Largo, becoming the first tenant announced for Liberty Yards, a modern two-story retail and restaurant development set to rise at the southwest corner of 4th Street Southwest and West Bay Drive.

Atlanta-based real estate investment firm The Ardent Companies, which acquired the site last year for $1.85 million from The Liberty Worship Center across the street, is behind the 11,175-square-foot project.

The development’s name, Liberty Yards, pays homage to the church and reflects Ardent’s intention to create a community-focused destination.

The Winter Park-based brand has expanded rapidly since launching in 2016 and now operates 88 locations across Florida and several other states. The coffee chain currently operates two other Pinellas County locations at 730 4th Street in St. Petersburg and 13501 Icot Boulevard in Clearwater.

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Massive 31-story, twin-tower development approved for downtown St. Pete

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Massive 31-story, twin-tower development approved for downtown St. Pete

The City of St. Petersburg has officially approved plans for one of downtown’s largest-ever residential projects, a transformative $225 million development featuring two 31-story towers at the former headquarters of UPC Insurance.

First reported by St. Pete Rising earlier this year, the project at 800 2nd Avenue South is being led by local developer Echelon, LLC and Tampa-based investment advisory firm Third Lake Partners.

Now greenlit by the City, the development will move forward with site plan approvals, setting the stage for construction to begin as early as the first quarter of 2026.

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Fitness retailer Fit2Run to launch new lifestyle concept 6Laps, debut new Central Avenue stores in May

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Fitness retailer Fit2Run to launch new lifestyle concept 6Laps, debut new Central Avenue stores in May

Fit2Run, the beloved Florida-based running retailer, is taking a major step forward in downtown St. Pete. This May, the brand will open two side-by-side retail stores at 801 Central Avenue—an upgraded Fit2Run store and the launch of a brand-new lifestyle concept, 6Laps.

The dual-storefront, spanning a combined 6,643 square feet, represents a new era for the company, which has been serving runners since 2006. Fit2Run will occupy the majority of the space with a 5,143-square-foot location, while 6Laps will take over a smaller, 1,500-square-foot footprint next door.

Though connected by a revolving door, the two stores will operate independently with distinct identities, aesthetics, and product lines.

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Inside Elliott Aster, The Vinoy’s new signature restaurant opening mid-May

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Inside Elliott Aster, The Vinoy’s new signature restaurant opening mid-May

The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, a landmark on downtown St. Petersburg’s waterfront, is set to unveil its new signature restaurant, Elliott Aster, in mid-May. This opening marks the completion of the first phase of an extensive renovation of the historic hotel.

Located at 501 5th Avenue Northeast, The Vinoy has been a defining feature of downtown St. Petersburg since its construction in 1925. Owned by Bryan and Shanna Glazer—who also own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—the hotel has undergone a comprehensive renovation aimed at modernizing its amenities while preserving its historic charm.

The Glazers purchased the property for $188.5 million in 2018 and embarked on a transformation that included updates to the hotel’s veranda, porte-cochère, lobby, guest rooms, spa, and restaurants. Additionally, The Vinoy was rebranded as part of the Marriott Autograph Collection.

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