Done Deals: Dali Museum expansion moves forward, Top law firm relocates due to crane collapse, Barbershop moves downtown
/Done Deals is a weekly column by St. Pete Rising spotlighting recent real estate market insight and significant deals happening in the Sunshine City and beyond. The following information is sourced from public records and trusted intel.
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City approves The Dali's amended lease for major expansion
The latest rendering of the most updated design concept for the dali’s expansion shown during the city council meeting | harvard Jolly Architecture
During a Thursday St. Petersburg City Council meeting, council members unanimously approved an amendment to the Dali Museum's 99-year lease to allow for a long-planned expansion.
The museum originally revealed expansion plans in 2019 to construct 30,000 square feet of new programming space along with a 270-space parking garage. However, between 2019 and 2023, the museum revised the scope of its expansion proposal to remove the parking garage and expand the proposed exhibition space.
The expansion is expected to include a new multi-level addition to the southwest side of the existing building for education, conferences, events, galleries, and a restaurant and terrace overlooking the downtown yacht basin.
In order to expand, the museum needs Lot 6 (pictured below), which is not part of the leased premises but is a city right-of-way that provides public access to the Mahaffey Theater parking garage, which serves both the theater and museum.
The Dali’s existing lots and lot 6 where the expansion will occur | city of st. pete documents
Over the years, The Dali has worked with the City of St. Pete and Mahaffey Theater to ensure the construction and expansion will not negatively impact operations. It would also not hinder the annual Firestone Grand Prix and any future development of the surrounding Center for the Arts.
The Pinellas County Tourist Development Council previously awarded $25 million to the museum towards the construction of the multi-phase expansion.
According to The Dali's website, once a design is finalized with local architect Harvard Jolly, the museum will commence a capital campaign to raise the remaining funds through private contributions, corporate sponsorships, and other grants.
Johnson Pope law firm relocates offices due to crane collapse
the construction crane from 400 central collapsed into the office building at 490 1st avenue south, which houses the Tampa Bay times, karma juice bar and eatery, and other businesses | Associated press
Johnson Pope Bokor Ruppel & Burns announced this week it would relocate from 490 1st Avenue South to the First Central Tower at 360 Central Avenue.
The move comes after the eight-story office building on 1st Avenue South suffered significant damage caused by a tower crane collapsing during Hurricane Milton in early October.
The crane came from the construction site of the 46-story 400 Central luxury condo tower.
“The future of that structure remains uncertain, but Johnson Pope remains steadfast in our commitment to delivering exceptional service,” the company wrote in a news release. “Our new location in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg provides a convenient, temporary space for all of 2025 while decisions about rebuilding are made.”
“We are thrilled to transition to First Central Tower, which brings our team closer to many of our clients' homes and businesses,” COO and CFO Evelyn Delgado said in a statement. “This move not only reinforces our dedication to serving our clients but also highlights our resilience as a firm in adapting to unforeseen challenges.”
The firm will move into 15,000 square feet on the 5th floor of First Central Tower. The firm has additional offices in Tampa and Clearwater.
Car wash at former Biff-Burger site sells
The newly opened Modwash car wash center at 3939 49th Street North | ModWash
The property formerly home to the beloved Biff-Burger, which was recently redeveloped into a ModWash car wash, has traded hands.
Tampa-based Rocwell Investments sold the property at 3939 49th Street North to trustees Harry and Rita Patel for $2.9 million.
Rocwell Investments purchased the property in 2021 for $1.4 million before the 1950s burger and shake restaurant was razed.
ModWash, one of the largest car wash businesses in America, has a 20-year lease on the property.
Barbershop moves to new spot in the Grand Central District
The barbershop will open at 6157 central avenue next to atomic tattoos | st. pete rising
A haircut and shave parlor Aaron's Against The Grain Barbershoppe will have a new home in the Grand Central District.
The barbershop, currently located at 6157 Central Avenue where it's operated for nearly five years, will relocate to 2438 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District next to Atomic Tattoos.
The building was previously occupied by Charles Edward Salon.
The new shop will open on January 3rd.
Against The Grain is barber-owned and operated. The parlor specializes in traditional-style cuts and offers beard trims and straight-razor neck shaves.
Central Avenue retail property sells
The retail property currently houses Baked in the burg and studio b mind and body. Astra and friends was a previous tenant and has relocated to 242 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North | loopnet
The retail property at 3023 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District has sold for $740,000.
Wallens Group Inc., which has owned the property since 2018, sold the 1,800-square-foot, three-tenant building to Lev Mosheyev.
The current tenants in the building include local bakery Baked in the Burg, wellness center Studio B Mind and Body, and HC Hair Artistry.
Debbie Reeser with Commercial Partners Realty represented the seller and Zachary Campbell with Engel & Völkers Real Estate represented the buyer.
Outback Steakhouse and Panera Bread-anchored retail building sells
The multi-tenant building at 1914 4th street north | loopnet
The 23,031-square-foot commercial building at 1914 4th Street North, which houses a mix of restaurants and retailers, has sold.
Fourth Street Retail LLC, which purchased the property in April 2021 for $5.3 million, sold the retail building to Largo-based Equity Management Partners for $5.9 million.
Outback Steakhouse and Panera Bread anchor the building along with tenants Voyage Med Spa, McLain Foods, Red Effect Infrared Fitness, and St. Petersburg Dental Studio, according to a Loopnet listing.
Real estate brokerage firm RIPCO Real Estate represented the seller.
County approves spending $12M+ for Largo affordable housing project
Oasis at bayside apartments in largo | facebook image
Pinellas County will spend $12.16 million to finance the land acquisition and development of a new affordable housing project in Largo.
Washington D.C.-based Gravel Road Partners will convert the 304-unit Oasis at Bayside apartments at 305 Glades Circle to affordable housing.
The Pinellas County Commission recently approved funding for the project, which is estimated to total over $59 million in development costs.
Per the funding agreement, the units will be allocated as follows:
3 units reserved for households earning up to 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
8 units reserved for households earning up to 65% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
247 units reserved for households earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
46 units will be unrestricted.
Gravel Road Partners is the same developer behind the 60-unit Bayou Court Apartments affordable housing project at 4201 6th Street South, which just topped out.
