Additional details emerge for proposed 19-story downtown development

An application filed in the city has revealed more details on a proposed 19-story project on 1st Avenue in downtown St. Petersburg. 

St. Pete-based HP Capital Group, working with Tandem Partners, shared its plans with the St. Pete Catalyst to build the residential building at 1641 and 1659 1st Ave. North in downtown St. Pete. 

The $56 million project will consist of 224 apartments and a parking garage with a total of 256 parking spaces. The residential units will be located on floors five through 18. 

The 0.73-acre site, owned by the applicant, has several existing buildings that are currently used as an office and apartments. Those structures will be demolished. 

The current DC-2 zoning allows for a base height of 125 feet and a maximum of 200 feet. The applicant is seeking approval for the project from the Development Review Commission, and will request approval for the proposed height of 112 feet. A date has not yet appeared on the DRC’s website with regard to the project. 

A rendering of the building showing the elevation.  

The screened parking garage in the residential tower would be accessed on 17th St. N. and the alleys adjacent to the property. 

Meanwhile, the lobby entrance will be on 1st Ave. N. with 10-foot sidewalks and streetscaping, including trees, which will accent the west and south elevations of the building, and the ground-level lobby, according to the plans. 

A site plan shows amenities such as a fitness center, yoga room and bicycle storage area. There will also be a rooftop pool. 

The property is in the Central Business District and Intown Activity Center. These designations permit the highest intensity
development within the city. 

The applicant noted how the proposed development is consistent with the other surrounding multifamily buildings including Vantage St. Pete, 1701 Central, Arte and Fusion 1560. Additionally, Mill Creek’s Modera St. Petersburg, an eight-story and a 20-story building with 383 dwelling units and commercial space, will be under construction a few blocks south of the site, at 201 17th St. S.

A rendering of the 19-story project.

Construction for the 19-story tower is expected to begin in early 2023 with completion in late 2024, according to Tandem’s website. 

HP Capital Group is working with the local architect firm BDG Architects on the project. 

HP Capital Group is also the group developing the 18-story Reflection condominium tower near Mirror Lake.