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.
Hunger + Thirst Group, who operates the wildly successful Park & Rec and theAvenue, will debut a brand new concept in the EDGE District this October named No Vacancy. Over the next few months, the 2,900 square foot indoor and outdoor space will be transformed into a tropical, laid back, vintage Florida themed cocktail bar. Although drinks are the main focus, No Vacancy will also have a small food menu featuring Florida-inspired shareable apps, sandwiches, bowls and salads. No Vacancy will be located at 937 Central Avenue, formerly the home of KINGS Street Food Counter.
357 on 5th, a new 13-unit condo building, was proposed last month for 357 5th Street South near USF St Pete. The seven story development will feature community amenities such as a sixth floor rooftop terrace, fenced dog-friendly courtyard, and an original sculpture commissioned by renowned local artist Ya La’Ford. With nearly 1,700 residential units currently under construction and an additional 1,900 units proposed in the greater downtown area, supply is still struggling to keep up with demand as more and more people are discovering how great it is to live, work, and play in Downtown St. Pete. 357 on 5th is currently taking reservations with pricing starting in the high $500’s. A targeted completion date is scheduled for December 2019.
Back in May, word spread quickly when Nitally’s Thai-Mex announced they were shutting their doors in the Grand Central District of St Pete. The restaurant enjoyed a cult-like following thanks to creative menu items such as their signature panang mole and green curry burritos. Luckily, the owners found a new home and have opened an “express” version of Nitally’s at 6800 Gulfport Blvd South #111 in South Pasadena.
Last month the City of St Pete received an unsolicited proposal from UPC Insurance to buy a city-owned lot located at 800 1st Avenue South for the purposes of constructing a new corporate headquarters. In addition to a 150,000 square foot office building fronting Dr. MLK Jr Street and a 500-space parking garage, UPC Insurance has offered to allocate space for ground-level retail and a possible hotel which could front 8th Street. The new office development would add 300 jobs to Downtown St Pete over the next few years. Pursuant to Florida Statutes, the city invited alternative proposals from private developers or anyone interested in the lease or purchase of the site. One additional proposal was submitted by the Related Group from Miami, who wants to build luxury apartments at the site. The City will make a decision on which proposal to award within the next month.
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.
The featured building that we called the Snell Building when I was younger was a wonderful place to live. My father (land developer and builder) lived in the penthouse for a very long time. When my mother would go away for part of the summer I used to stay with him. That little tiny tower on the very top was my bedroom. No air conditioning but who needed it when you were that high up. There were windows all around and the breeze would blow so hard that the curtains would stand out. The bathroom was designed the way that everyone wants today. All tiled room with central drain and stand up shower (no tub). Many good memories. The thing I didn’t like was that the old elevator was manual and at night you hand to use a piece of rebar to stick through a hole in the elevator door. You pushed down and the rebar would cause the door arm to open. The operation was one of those round controls with a handle. You had a choice of up – down and stop. The worse part was if you opened the elevator door and the elevator was on another floor it used to scare the you know what out of me. lol. Especially if you were on the top floor. Hate elevators to this day. Thanks for letting me share. A St. Pete native.