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Demolition looms for historic church after failed appeal
A husband-and-wife duo’s last-ditch effort to transform a decaying religious landmark in St. Petersburg into a unique event space has failed.
Noam Krasniansky unveiled his ambitious plans for the nearly century-old Euclid Methodist Church, also known as the Euclid Mansion, in February 2024. The neglected institution has remained vacant since 2005.
In November 2024, the Community Planning and Preservation Commission (CPPC) rejected Krasniansky’s passion project, dubbed The Treehouse, due to parking and noise concerns. His land-use consultant, Todd Pressman, pled their case to the city council Feb. 6.
“The adaptive reuse code fits this site perfectly,” Pressman said. “It (the church) will not last much longer.”
After the CPPC’s decision, Krasniansky told the Catalyst his plans represented the church’s “last chance.” He called the situation a tragedy.
Noam Krasniansky has already spent over $300,000 repairing the church. Photo provided.
The church opened in 1926 at 919 10th Ave. N. and received historic designation in 2004. Krasniansky and his wife, Irene, moved to the area in early 2023 and “fell in love with the building.”
The couple have founded multiple companies and appeared on TV’s Shark Tank. They sold their Los Angeles home to purchase the church for $1.1 million in August 2023.
Krasniansky subsequently sunk over $300,000 into repairing the facility. Its red brick exterior is crumbling, and the interior has succumbed to mold. Hurricanes Helene and Milton exacerbated structural issues.
The Treehouse would host up to 184 people for weddings and special events. The reimagined facility would also feature a 40-seat tearoom with light food service and seven suites for overnight guests. The Kransnianskys planned to live on-site.
City staff, the Preserve the ‘Burg organization and several neighbors supported the project. However, many other Euclid St. Paul residents expressed parking and noise concerns.
“I want to be crystal clear about one point – the neighbors and I are in full support of preserving the church,” said Michelle Gehrig. “Our opposition is to the land use change, zoning change and commercial adaptive reuse … all of which are inconsistent with our neighborhood.”
City code requires the facility to provide 42 parking spaces. The Treehouse would feature six standard, two disabled and one rideshare parking space.
Pressman said Krasniansky signed letters of intent with nearby businesses to utilize 176 parking spaces. The owner of Star Trolley agreed to offer transportation services to help ensure “these weddings are wonderful, respectful events that everyone can enjoy.”
Derek Kilborn, the city’s urban planning and historic preservation manager, said an adaptive reuse proposal received approval in 2019. That project, later shelved, would have converted the church into multifamily housing with 20 units.
“In the City of St. Petersburg, we do not review interior modifications,” Kilborn said of his department. “But when somebody can preserve that interior historic integrity, that is a best practice we will always recommend.”
A rendering of a restored Euclid Methodist Church. Screengrab, city documents.
Councilmember Lisset Hanewicz said she could not ignore the potential parking issues. She noted the neighborhood association wrote a letter supporting the project – with several conditions related to traffic mitigation.
Hanewicz said officials could not guarantee Krasniansky would meet those conditions upon approval. She and others said the letters of intent are not legally binding and those partnerships could end at any time.
Councilmember Gina Driscoll said she would “love to see this church restored, preserved and put to a better use. I’m very sad to think of what the fate of this church might be if we don’t move forward tonight.”
The council denied Krasniansky’s appeal in a 4-4 vote. Councilmembers Deborah Figgs-Sanders, Richie Floyd, Mike Harting and Brandi Gabbard voted in favor of the project.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to reflect Todd Pressman’s correct title.
Dave Morrison
February 16, 2025at7:28 pm
I grew up in that church. My mom was the organist and my dad was an usher. I was an acolyte. I hope I can get an opportunity to photograph the interior before it goes away.
Mark Aarons
February 16, 2025at9:54 am
It seems to me that conditions could have been placed on the use change to satisfy the neighborhood (e.g. time restraints on when social gatherings could last-(10pm), restricting certain days, etc). As for parking, if the building had returned to a place of worship, I imagine that more than 40 parishioners might attend. When one looks at the monstrosities the council approved on 1st Ave N, that will overhang Central Avenue, its absurd that this wasn’t approved.
John Avery
February 11, 2025at5:57 pm
I hope that the neighbors adjacent to this property enjoy the dense townhomes that are likely to replace the church once it is demolished. Hopefully they will be painted pink or orange.
Mark Brooks
February 11, 2025at4:58 pm
I own property a half block from the church on 10th Street. I don’t believe the proposed commercial use is incompatible with the neighborhood as the zoning district on two sides of the church is the commercial corridor district, with an an auto body shop across 10th Avenue from the church and a gas station immediately adjacent to the east. Noise concerns can be mitigated with proper sound proofing and parking can be worked out – a viable business would depend on it. The neighborhood will gain a very attractive, historic structure. The city is essentially saying that there is no financially viable use for the building, which means it will be demolished as the value of the property is significantly lowered and any expenditures to maintain the building wouldn’t make financial sense. Residential development will be hindered by the unattractive commercial uses on two sides. I guess the church will be replaced by another parking lot.
Karen D Garcia
February 11, 2025at4:37 pm
I can understand why residents in the neighborhood and the homes adjacent to this old church wouldn’t want an entertainment venue in their back yard. Its best use seems as a residential building considering its neighborhood location. I hope the owners can pivot to create something beneficial for this area.
Ryan Todd
February 11, 2025at4:17 pm
This City and its entire Staff are INCOMPETENT. Fire the whole lot of them.
Sharon
February 11, 2025at1:03 pm
The city has a problem. A 13 story high rise got approved regardless of no parking for 60 apartments! What the heck!Regarding parking concerns, no parking is required to be provided for the project’s 60 apartments, as new developments in downtown St. Pete are not required to provide parking for residential units under 750 square feet, per new city regulations passed in September 2019.
Although there will not be designated parking for the 60 apartments, there will be 12 parking spaces for the 60 hotel rooms. There will also be bike parking, which commissioners expect to be utilized by hotel employees and residents.
Renovating this church would be such an asset to downtown! Get your greedy hands out of your pockets Councelmen
Mattachine
February 10, 2025at5:55 pm
Knowing the history of the business dealings in this city for over 60 years, I agree with both of the above comments. Especially #1!
monah
February 10, 2025at5:40 pm
Somebody coveting this property is greasing palms, if you ask me. The excuses for not approving the project sound like red herrings to me.
Mike
February 10, 2025at3:55 pm
In other news: the city LOVES the open air drug market across the street and is taking applications for new homeless residents.