Place
400 Central hits another construction milestone
The New York-based business mogul constructing St. Petersburg’s tallest tower has long touted its rooftop observation deck. He witnessed its panoramas of the city for the first time Saturday.
What is also the tallest residential building on Florida’s Gulf Coast had yet to reach its 46th and final floor when myriad local leaders celebrated the Residences at 400 Central topping out last September. Crews have since surpassed that mark and recently added its Sky Lounge Observatory – after overcoming hurricane impacts.
Developer John Catsimatidis Sr., founder of the Red Apple Group, led a handful of media members and project stakeholders on a tour over 500 feet above Central Avenue. He expects the mixed-use high-rise’s first residents to move in before the end of summer.
“I don’t want an ordinary roof – I want an observation lounge,” Catsimatidis said of his missive to contractors. “How else are you going to look at those drones or the UFOs? You sit up there, look at the stars and dream.”
The observation deck towers over 500 feet above the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront.
Kevin King, director of operations for Red Apple, said the glass-enclosed space would feature space for gatherings and entertaining visitors. The Sky Lounge will have “lots of seating” for people to soak in the 360-degree views.
The rooftop is open to all residents, King said. He also noted they could bring friends, which should mitigate the Sky Lounge’s exclusivity.
“I’m sure, over time, much of St. Pete is going to make their way up to this space as residents invite folks and groups up here,” King added. “John (Catsimatidis) is so proud of this because it’s different. There’s not a whole lot like this around here.”
The expansive deck offers panoramic views of the waterfront, Albert Whitted Airport, Mirror Lake and what will become the Historic Gas Plant District. On clear days, beach hotels and downtown Tampa are visible. Catsimatidis envisioned 400 Central topping 50 stories; flight patterns at Albert Whitted Airport limited its height.
He said contractors were the only people to see the top floor and observation deck until Saturday. “This is the first time for all of us.”
Residents at 400 Central can bring guests up to its observation deck.
Catsimatidis expects construction to conclude in a few months and will call a penthouse under the observation deck home. Like many New Yorkers seeking a better quality of life, he will change his permanent residency to Florida this year.
The tower occupies a city block and features 301 residences and 60,000 square feet of commercial space. “We’d like to bring in some additional restaurants that are world-famous – or famous for New Yorkers,” Catsimatidis said.
Sales pricing at 400 Central starts at around $1 million, and penthouses encompassing over 3,700 square feet top $5 million. More than two-thirds of the condominiums have sold.
The tour showcased a ninth-floor wraparound unit encompassing 2,600 square feet. It also featured a 1,000-square-foot balcony terrace separated from adjacent condos by glazed glass.
Catsimatidis said the massive project’s cost has surpassed $400 million. Ralph Zirinsky, senior vice president of development for Red Apple, said construction costs have mostly stabilized following post-pandemic hikes.
Chris Lewis, project executive for Suffolk Construction, said, “Overall, the project has gone extremely well, especially for a job of this size.” Crews completed a new floor roughly every six days.
Views of the EDGE District, including a storm-damaged Tropicana Field, from 400 Central’s Sky Lounge Observatory.
Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused some slight delays since the topping-out ceremony. The project made headlines when a sizable section of a 500-foot tower crane flew into a neighboring building as the latter storm’s gusts topped 100 mph. Lewis said the “unfortunate” event, which resulted in substantial property damage but no injuries or deaths, was a “minor setback in terms of time and efficiency.” The project was one floor from its apex when the crane collapsed.
“It would have been nice to have it stay up to finish construction and, obviously, not cause that damage that it did,” Lewis added. “But we were able to finish the rest of the structure without it.”
The tower nearing completion is bittersweet for the over 700 construction workers who have helped it take shape since September 2022. Lewis said construction is now “down to the wire” and there is a “big push” to ensure it concludes on schedule.
“One of the great things about working in this industry is you get to see something tangible when it’s finished,” he said. “We put our hearts into it – our blood, sweat and tears.”
The Residences at 400 Central will open this summer. Rendering provided.
