Sales launch for Clemmons Court, a luxury single-family home community in St. Pete's Grand Central District

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Sales launch for Clemmons Court, a luxury single-family home community in St. Pete's Grand Central District

Sales have launched for an urban enclave of four luxury single family homes coming soon to the Grand Central District.

Clemmons Court will soon rise at 2550 1st Avenue North within just steps away from Central Avenue and within walking distance of popular St. Pete businesses such as Pete’s Bagels, Bandit Coffee, Pin on Grand, Wild Child, Baba, and Casita Taqueria.

The project is being brought to life by an all-local team led by Will Conroy of Backstreets Capital, who has enlisted the help of Tim Clemmons of Place Architecture, Fox Building Group, and local real estate agent Tess Mullinax of Compass.

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13-story hybrid hotel and apartment project approved for downtown St. Pete

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13-story hybrid hotel and apartment project approved for downtown St. Pete

A 13-story building featuring 60 apartments and 60 hotel rooms has been approved for downtown St. Pete’s Grand Central District despite concerns.

Last week, the St. Petersburg Development Review Commission unanimously approved a site plan for the $22 million project expected to rise at 1663 1st Avenue South.

The property is currently developed with a commercial building that was previously home to Sunshine Kitty Catfe, Tampa Bay’s first cat café which closed in 2023, and Dolman Law Group.

The new project, proposed by Tampa-based BendinRoad Development in partnership with Landings Real Estate Group, is a significant shift from the developer’s initial vision to create an 8-story 97-unit apartment building, which was previously approved in 2023.

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First-ever Winter Pride Festival takes place this month in the Grand Central District

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First-ever Winter Pride Festival takes place this month in the Grand Central District

In the face of the ever-changing and challenging political climate, St. Petersburg will continue embracing its diverse LGBTQ+ community with the first-ever Winter Pride celebration.

Winter Pride, a week-long festival organized by a team of local LGBTQ+ leaders in collaboration with the Grand Central District, will run from February 16th to February 23rd.

“Now more than ever, events like Winter Pride are critical to remind everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community that they are valued, supported, and celebrated,” Grand Central Executive Director Chris Arnold said in an announcement.

“We are excited for another opportunity to celebrate our wonderful city and bring an entire week of amazing Pride events to the Grand Central District.”

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Pulpo, a new Latin and Peruvian-fusion restaurant and bar, debuts in the Grand Central District

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Pulpo, a new Latin and Peruvian-fusion restaurant and bar, debuts in the Grand Central District

Pulpo Kitchen & Lounge, a Latin and Peruvian-inspired restaurant and bar from the owners of the popular Brick and Mortar restaurant in downtown St. Pete, has opened in the Grand Central District.

The restaurant at 2147 Central Avenue boasts turquoise booths, brass accents, and a menu featuring cocktails with a kick, a fully-charred octopus, and twists on traditional ceviche. The restaurant was first reported by St. Pete Rising in January 2023.

"You will not find anything else like this in St. Petersburg," General Manager and Beverage Director Dylan Ruhe said to Rising inside the new space.

Dylan is the cousin of owner Jason Ruhe. Ruhe and his wife, Hope Montgomery, are the same duo behind downtown St. Petersburg’s Brick & Mortar Kitchen + Wine Bar. Meanwhile, Chef Marcos Bernal from Sea Worthy is the head chef of Pulpo.

Pulpo, which translates to "octopus" in Spanish, will represent a marriage of cuisines from Central and South America, and influences from Peru and Mexico.

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Classic vintage cocktail bar Tampa Bay Drinkery opens in the Grand Central District

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Classic vintage cocktail bar Tampa Bay Drinkery opens in the Grand Central District

Green and beige velvet chairs, mismatched oriental rugs, antique clocks, and a grand piano on center stage are part of the eclectic atmosphere inside a new bar and music venue in St. Pete's Grand Central District.

Located at 2756 Central Avenue, Tampa Bay Drinkery is the brainchild of Wellington Moto, who’s part of the management team at Grumpy Gringo Liquors located next door to the new bar.

“I handpicked all of the vintage items here down to the lightbulbs,” Moto said to St. Pete Rising, showing a stack of vinyl records next to a grand piano.

Moto scoured auction houses, antique dealers, and collectors from around the country for the long-vacant space.

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