Inside The Nolen, a 23-story luxury condo tower, as it nears completion in downtown St. Pete

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Inside The Nolen, a 23-story luxury condo tower, as it nears completion in downtown St. Pete

Soaring 23 stories above downtown St. Pete, The Nolen is putting the final polish on its exclusive collection of 31 high-end condominiums.

The development team is preparing to welcome its first wave of residents by the end of May.

The Nolen, located at 126 4th Avenue Northeast, is being developed by Tampa-based DDA Development—led by Bowen Arnold and John Schilling—and St. Pete-based Backstreets Capital, led by Will Conroy.

“We’re working through our punch list with the crew, architects, and engineers. Once that’s complete, we’ll issue buyers a 10-day closing notice and conduct walk-throughs with them. We expect to close on about three units per day,” said Bowen Arnold, principal at DDA Development, in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

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Slim Charmer, a new martini bar from the owners of Wild Child, opens in the Grand Central District

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Slim Charmer, a new martini bar from the owners of Wild Child, opens in the Grand Central District

Nestled in a charming 1940s building, a New York–style cocktail parlor and tasting room has arrived in St. Petersburg, offering martinis and eclectic small plates.

From Matt Kaye and Rob Reinsmith—the duo behind the popular Wild Child restaurant—comes Slim Charmer, an intimate, 26-seat martini lounge located next to Wild Child’s patio at 2706 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District.

Kaye hopes the 800-square-foot space, named after a former nickname for his wife, will stand out as an innovative destination where guests can savor the unexpected and explore flavors not found elsewhere.

Both the food and drink menu will rotate frequently based on the season and available ingredients.

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St. Pete approves $22.5 million to repair Tropicana Field roof

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St. Pete approves $22.5 million to repair Tropicana Field roof

The City of St. Petersburg is moving forward with extensive renovations and repairs to make Tropicana Field playable for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2026.

In October 2024, Hurricane Milton's powerful winds shredded the stadium's fabric roof, allowing rain to pour into the venue. As a result, the stadium sustained significant water and wind damage, rendering it unusable.

In addition to damaging the roof, the storm also compromised critical infrastructure, audiovisual equipment, and the turf field.

Due to the extent of the damage, the Tampa Bay Rays will play their 2025 season at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.

City officials are hoping to have Tropicana Field ready for baseball in time for the 2026 season. In the meantime, due to the extent of the damage to the Trop, the Tampa Bay Rays will play their 2025 season at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.

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Mainsail Art Festival celebrates 50 years this weekend with 250+ artists and live music

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Mainsail Art Festival celebrates 50 years this weekend with 250+ artists and live music

One of St. Petersburg’s premier cultural events, the Mainsail Art Festival, will celebrate its 50th anniversary this weekend, drawing over 100,000 visitors and showcasing the city's diverse creative community and passion for the arts.

The 50th Annual Mainsail Art Festival will take place at Vinoy Park on the St. Petersburg waterfront, running from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 5th and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 6th.

Each year, a dedicated team of Mainsail volunteers organizes this free-admission event, welcoming thousands of residents and tourists to explore high-quality artwork, participate in family-friendly activities, and enjoy live music and local food vendors.

This year’s festival will feature its largest lineup ever, with over 250 artists showcasing work across 13 mediums: ceramics, digital art, fiber, glass, graphics, jewelry, metal, mixed media, oil/acrylic painting, photography, sculpture, watercolor, and wood.

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Beloved St. Pete bar The Wayward Goose to close after nearly a decade

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Beloved St. Pete bar The Wayward Goose to close after nearly a decade

After nearly 10 years as a neighborhood staple, a well-loved St. Pete bar has announced it will close its doors for good.

The owners of The Wayward Goose, located at 48 Dr M.L.K. Jr Street North, announced the upcoming closure on social media, stating that their last day in business will be Sunday, April 20th.

“It has certainly been a journey. This city was a different place when we began. It’s lost a bit of its soul with all the out-of-state developers putting up condos—but that’s progress,” the owners wrote, sharing a photo of towering construction cranes behind the building.

They also expressed gratitude to their dedicated staff and loyal patrons, who came for the chill vibes, full liquor bar, pool tables, dartboards, and art shows.

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