Urban Stillhouse acquires Warehouse Arts District property, plans renovations this summer
/The urban stillhouse at 2232 5th Avenue South will undergo a series of cosmetic upgrades this summer | the urban stillhouse
After six years in the Warehouse Arts District, the team behind Urban Stillhouse is doubling down on the concept with a property purchase and a fresh round of renovations.
The 16,000-square-foot restaurant and bourbon bar at 2232 Fifth Avenue South will undergo a series of updates aimed largely at refreshing the space.
According to a deed filed with the Pinellas County Clerk earlier this week, owner Meredith Koko purchased the site for $8 million.
Public records show Koko, through America Neat LLC, financed the acquisition with a $6.4 million loan from Pinnacle Bank. An additional $2.5 million construction loan from the same bank will help fund the upcoming renovations.
“We’ve been open for six years now, and it’s been amazing, but there’s definitely been some wear and tear on the restaurant,” Koko said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “So we’re going to do a big overhaul of the interior—mainly cosmetic updates and new decor.”
The urban stillhouse opened in st. Pete’s warehouse district in 2020 | the urban stillhouse
A large fireplace will remain the centerpiece of the dining room, while new furniture and fixtures are expected to complement the restaurant’s rustic aesthetic.
As part of the project, the adjacent office building will be converted into an upscale event space, casual bar, and live music venue.
The 3,400-square-foot building may debut under a new name but will remain tied to the Urban Stillhouse brand, according to Koko.
Menu updates are also in the works, though staples like bison filets and lamb chops will remain.
“I don’t want to steer too far from what we’ve done for six years; we’re going to remain very Americana and American bistro-focused because we represent Horse Soldier,” Koko said. “But we can definitely lean more local by offering Florida fish.”
The lamb chops at The Urban Stillhouse in the Warehouse Arts district | the urban stillhouse
Chef Chad Welch, previously of Butchertown Grocery Bakery and Steakhouse Bourre Bonne in Louisville, will serve as culinary director across all Urban Stillhouse locations.
Chef Alan Chandonia, formerly of Ecco Midtown in Atlanta, will oversee day-to-day operations in St. Pete.
Urban Stillhouse opened its second location in Somerset, Kentucky in 2024, with additional locations planned in Kentucky and Texas.
For now, Koko says the focus is on reinvesting in the flagship St. Pete restaurant.
“I’m really excited about what’s happening on the south side of St. Pete right now,” Koko said. “Six years ago, we took a gamble by coming to the Warehouse Arts District, but we knew it would grow around us.”
The Urban Stillhouse’s Bison Filet | The Urban Stillhouse
“I think within the next two years, we’ll have customers walking to us from downtown,” she added.
The restaurant may close for about a week in September for staff training tied to the new menu, though most of the cosmetic work is expected to happen outside of operating hours.
Urban Stillhouse is currently open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, with brunch service offered Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
