It seems like each time we take a stroll through downtown there are new restaurants and galleries opening and more apartment complexes and condo towers being built. We realize it’s difficult to keep track of everything. Luckily, we’ve done the research, so you don’t have to. Each month we will feature a few of the most exciting new downtown developments that are on the horizon for the Sunshine City.
The owner of Station House, downtown St. Petersburg’s popular co-working space, restaurant and event venue, has a new major project coming soon to 300 Central Avenue — The Mason. Last year, Steve Gianfilippo bought the antiquated 10-story Coronet Apartments with a vision to bring the building into the modern era with fully furnished apartment suites, a ground-level gastrolounge, and a rooftop event space featuring a penthouse and outdoor bar. Apartment tenants at The Mason will have access to all of the co-working amenities at Station House, located only a block away. The project is still in the planning stage with move-in’s expected in 2019.
A specialty coffee bar and dessert lounge, Beans and Barlour, will open in a few weeks at 538 First Avenue North, adjacent to St. Pete Brewing Company. In a first for Tampa Bay, Beans and Barlour will offer at least ten scratch-made alcoholic ice cream flavors, including tiramisu with amaretto mascarpone ice cream layered with warm espresso-soaked ladyfingers. The owner, Story Stuart, who previously helmed the beloved Story Brooke Craft Coffee Bar, will also partner with St. Pete Brewing Company to offer a variety of food items. And with the recent opening of Inoculum Ale Works a few doors down, the 500 block of 1st Avenue North is becoming the place to be!
Oak and Stone opened earlier this month at 199 Central Avenue, on the ground floor of the new Hyatt Place in Downtown St. Pete. This will be location number two for the pizza and beer joint that got its start in Sarasota. On top of serving artisanal wood-fired pizza, Oak and Stone offers a wide array of shareables such as BBQ pork sliders, pretzel crusted tuna sashimi, and smokey gouda mac n’ cheese. Using a special wristband, Oak and Stone allows customers to pour their own beer from the tap wall.
The Merchant, a funky urban general store and gift shop, is now open at 633 Central Avenue (formerly Strands of Sunshine). The shop is filled to the brim with wares made by local artists, craftsman, and makers. You’ll find everything from small-batch soaps, apothecary items, art, well-crafted housewares, handmade chocolates, and more. Workshops and classes will be offered in the near future.
In early June, the St. Pete City Council approved a lease with Chuck Prather, owner of The Birchwood boutique hotel on Beach Drive, for three new dining concepts on the New St. Pete Pier — an upscale restaurant, a modern rooftop tiki bar, and a laidback cafe. Teak, the upscale restaurant, will offer a Florida-style menu with a focus on fresh seafood, steak, homemade soups and salads. Pier Teaki, the rooftop bar, will serve everything from frozen drinks to classic cocktails while patrons take in spectacular views of the Downtown St. Pete skyline. Small plates such as fish tacos, locally-sourced salads, and fish spread will also be available at Pier Teaki. The Driftwood Cafe will serve healthy breakfasts, fresh squeezed juices, and the perfect cappuccino. Picnic baskets and lunch boxes filled with sandwiches, salad, chips, fruit and dessert can be taken to-go and enjoyed anywhere on our beautiful new pier.
St. Pete Rising is an urban development blog covering future retail, restaurants, and real estate in Downtown St. Petersburg, FL. Stay up-to-date, visit StPeteRising.com.
