February 14, 2025

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

February 14, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

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.

February 13, 2025

Parisian-style bistro Cognac opens in downtown St. Pete, serving classic French fare

February 13, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

The owners behind the upscale Bacchus Wine Bistro near Beach Drive, Christophe Guillot and Philippe Challeau, have debuted their newest dining destination in downtown St. Pete — Cognac.

The Parisian-style bistro opened earlier this month at 201 2nd Avenue North, occupying the space formerly home to Dirty Shirley, which closed less than a year after opening in 2023.

Cognac offers a menu inspired by traditional French cuisine, featuring dishes such as caviar and Croque Madame, along with a bar specializing in craft cocktails.

“Cognac will be like walking into a bistro in Paris. People can enjoy traditional dishes such as steak frites, escargot, and different cognac selections,” Guillot said in a previous conversation with St. Pete Rising.

February 12, 2025

St. Pete approves purchase of three-acre property along Salt Creek for new park

February 12, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Nearly three acres of vacant property along Salt Creek may become a lush park space with landscaping, public art, and educational components.

During a Committee of the Whole meeting held on January 23rd, committee members unanimously approved moving forward on pursuing the acquisition of a property located on 4th Street South between 17th Avenue South and 18th Avenue South.

The property comprises 1.7 acres zoned Corridor Commercial Traditional (CCT-1) fronting on 4th Street South and 1.26 acres zoned Neighborhood Suburban Multi-Family (NSM-1).

The city is seeking to purchase the property at or below the asking price of $2.9 million.

The property was appraised in July 2024 with an estimated market value of $2.88 million.

February 11, 2025

Construction begins on 39-acre Waterways Apartments and Marina off Gandy Boulevard

February 11, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Shovels will soon hit the ground to start vertical construction on a new 470-unit multi-family development encompassing 39 acres of waterfront property overlooking Tampa Bay.

This spring, Miami-based Key International will break ground on the Waterways Apartments and Marina project at 12000 Gandy Boulevard North, located near the intersection with Snug Harbor Road. The development was approved in 2022.

Waterways Apartments and Marina, a project formerly referred to as Snug Harbor, will boast over 3,000 linear feet of prime water frontage and will feature 324 bayfront apartments and 52 rental townhomes facing a large retention pond.

Additionally, an 8,000-square-foot yet-to-be-revealed waterfront restaurant will sit adjacent to a marina with 130 wet slips and 20 dry stack slips. The marina will be primarily used by residents and feature a small bait shop.

February 10, 2025

St. Pete City Council rejects plan to convert historic church to event venue

February 10, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A 100-year-old historic church in St. Pete's Euclid-St. Paul community continues to face an ominous future after City Council voted last week to deny an appeal that would have allowed the property to operate as an event venue.

Over the years, the Euclid Methodist Church property at 919 10th Avenue North, which was added to the St. Petersburg Register of Historic Places in 2004, has been eyed for potential renovation; however, time and time again, the proposals have been challenged by surrounding residents fearing additional traffic and amplified noise would change the character of their quaint neighborhood.

This time was no different.

During a City Council meeting on Thursday, councilmembers cast a split 4-4 vote, rejecting an appeal that would have permitted the new property owners to transform the church into a 180-person event venue with a seven-unit bed & breakfast operation dubbed The Treehouse.