Downtown Development Update Highlights Continued Growth in Downtown St. Pete

On October 27, the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership hosted its Quarterly Downtown Development Update, bringing together developers, City leaders, and community members to look at how downtown St. Pete continues to grow.

Mack Feldman of Feldman Equities shared why downtown's growth needs balance. Downtown now has about 18,500 residents, but no major office tower has been built since 1990. Mack outlined proposed updates to the Downtown Center zoning districts to support the arts, create more space for local businesses and encourage new office and hotel development.

Anthony Close of St. Pete Rising followed with a tour of the projects reshaping the skyline. Six of St. Pete's 10 tallest buildings have arrived in the last decade, led by the Residences at 400 Central, now the city's tallest at 515 feet. More is on the way: 3rd & 3rd welcomes its first residents in December, four new projects are breaking ground, and future landmarks like the Waldorf Astoria Residences are in the works. Downtown's cultural anchors are growing too, with expansions underway at The Dalí Museum, the Florida Holocaust Museum and the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement.

Derek Kilborn and Andrea Falvey of the City of St. Petersburg shared updates on the City's planning work downtown. Sarah Lindemuth of Meshsem then presented the 2026 Development Guide Update, highlighting new residential projects like the 264 affordable and workforce apartments under construction at Fairfield Apartments, an office market that remains the region's tightest and priciest, and a wave of new restaurants and gathering spots along Central Avenue and beyond.

Looking ahead, 2027 will be a defining year for the Historic Gas Plant District as the City negotiates final agreements with The Burg Bid. The community can learn more at the ULI Public Presentation on Friday, December 4, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Center for Health Equity, where the Urban Land Institute's Advisory Services Panel will share its initial findings.

Thank you to our presenters and to everyone who joined us. Presentations from the event are available [here].