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.
Construction on the new St. Pete Pier continues to make great progress. According to the city, “Over 68% of the pilings have been placed, 20,000 square feet of the deck has been poured and work has begun on the tilted lawn and new bulkhead areas around Spa Beach.” In January, plans to erect a monument on the new pier were announced, celebrating the birth of commercial aviation and Tony Jannus, the pilot who took off from St. Petersburg’s Central Yacht Basin to downtown Tampa on New Year’s Day 1914.
Paul’s Landing, a new restaurant at the Vinoy Renaissance Resort, opened last month to the public. The 220-seat casual eatery has a gorgeous tropical interior filled with pinks, oranges, and greens. Grab a seat outside and enjoy sweeping views of the resort’s pool deck and the Vinoy Marina. A Florida-inspired menu focuses on three main categories — citrus, seafood and smoked. If you’re a beer connoisseur, 3 Daughters Brewery has crafted a beer exclusively for Paul’s Landing, a refreshing orange wheat ale. The restaurant can be difficult to locate, but look for a staircase off of 5th Avenue North that will lead you to the entrance.
The owners of La V Vietnamese Fusion have opened up a new restaurant at 437 Central Ave — Asie (pronounced ah-zee) featuring Pan-Asian cuisine. The menu is expansive, even offering photos of each menu item. Don’t miss the Velvety Shrimp (similar to Bonefish Grill’s Bang Bang Shrimp), the Broiled Beef Lunch Special, or any of their sushi rolls. Also, don’t sleep on their craft cocktails! Asie offers 6 Asian-inspired cocktails include the Beijing Collins, Seoul Sunrise, and a Tokyo Old Fashioned. When you visit, sit at the bar and you may get to experience “Gong Hour” — a free shot of sake if the bartender hits the gong!
The Simple Greek opened their doors last month at 312 3rd Street South, on the ground level of the Camden Pier District (formerly AER Apartments). Think of The Simple Greek as Chipotle, but for greek food. Customers choose either a pita or a bowl and then select their choice of meat and fillings. The Simple Greek offers gyro, chicken and steak and an expansive selection of toppings, such as feta cheese, red onions, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and more. Don’t forget a slice of baklava for dessert! Next door to The Simple Greek, buildout will soon begin on Bento: Asian Kitchen + Sushi.
A new apartment community has been proposed for 1701 Central Avenue. The project is being developed by NRP Group, who recently built two other apartment towers in Downtown St. Pete — Beacon 430 and Avanti (move-ins begin this April). The development will consist of 243-unit upscale multifamily apartments with approximately 5,000 square feet of commercial space. Community amenities will include a package concierge, relaxation courtyard, fitness room, work from home conference pods, pet grooming room, bike storage, electric car charging stations, saltwater pool, outdoor grills and TVs on the pool deck. Construction is slated to begin the first half of 2018.
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.
