Renovations to downtown St. Pete’s Sundial shopping and dining complex, which were announced in early 2023, will break ground on February 1st.

The reimagined Sundial, located at 153 2nd Avenue North, will feature multimillion dollar improvements intended to revitalize the once upscale retail shopping center into a modern mixed-use urban destination. The plans were conceptualized and designed by local architect Behar and Peteranecz.

St. Pete-based Paradise Ventures and Tampa-based Ally Capital Group, which acquired the property in early 2022 for $21.13 million, signed a contract on Wednesday with Create Building Company, a full-service construction company based in St. Pete, to construct the renovation.

“Placemaking is important, and the new Sundial is designed to be extension of the community,” said Andrew Wright, CEO of Ally Capital Group. “A place that enhances the city socially, economically, and culturally. A space where celebrations are had, where business is done, and where friends run into each other.”

The most significant change will be a complete overhaul and activation of the plaza’s courtyard, bringing plenty of communal green space for engaging programming and for guests to sit and enjoy food and drink.

To make way for the upgrade, the courtyard’s nearly two-story sundial sculpture itself will be removed, as will the six life-size, bronze dolphins.

“We’re expecting to be finished at the beginning of the third quarter,” said President and CEO of Paradise Ventures Michael Connor in an interview with St. Pete Rising.

In addition to the extensive renovations, new tenants are also on the horizon for Sundial. 

In July 2023, ownership announced that Forbici, a well-known South Tampa Italian restaurant, will open a location spanning 7,000 square feet on the ground floor of Sundial. The long-vacant space formerly housed Locale Market. 

That announcement was followed by news that Serotonin Centers, an anti-aging clinic, will also be part of the revamped Sundial. It will take over a 3,000-square-foot space previously occupied by Marilyn Monroe Glamour Room. Trudy and Charles Fehlinger, Serotonin Centers’ local franchisees, had hoped to be up and running in December but have not yet opened.

Earlier this week, new branding for Sundial began rolling out on social media thanks to San Diego-based digital marketing firm hellojenny, which has been hired to manage the shopping center’s social media and branding.

To stay up to date on new tenant announcements and renovation progress, follow Sundial on Instagram and Facebook.