Expansive athletic, social club nears completion in St. Pete 

The entrepreneurs behind an ambitious athletic and social club hope to have the first of 14 indoor pickleball courts installed in July, with a soft opening in August.

In addition to professional-grade pickleball courts, St. Pete Athletic Paddle & Social will feature a full-service restaurant, multiple bars, a membership lounge, a pro shop, a garden and courtside food and beverage service. Founder Reuben Pressman led St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership members on a hard-hat tour of the new, unique facility Tuesday afternoon.

Construction has rapidly progressed on what Pressman has dubbed a 45,000-square-foot urban country club after some initial permitting delays. The goal is to have a grand opening at 2544 Fairfield Ave. S. in September.

“We’ll be the first indoor pickleball club in St. Petersburg,” Pressman said. “We’ll be the largest in Tampa Bay. We’ll be the first indoor table tennis club in St. Pete, as well.”

St. Pete Athletic’s public bar and lounge area.

The sprawling facility inside The Factory, a 90,000-square-foot arts and culture campus, will also boast St. Petersburg’s first padel courts. Padel blends tennis and squash elements by incorporating walls surrounding an enclosed court.

“While pickleball is the fastest-growing (sport) in the U.S., padel has taken over the rest of the world,” Pressman said. “It’s very different and exciting, and there’s a bit more of a learning curve to it.”

Pressman enlisted a group of local experts in their respective fields to bring his brainchild to life. The team includes Jarret Sabatini, owner of Intermezzo Coffee and Cocktails, Nathan Stonecipher, co-owner of Green Bench Brewing, and Graham D’Amico, co-owner of Major League Pickleball’s Florida Smash.

St. Petersburg-based Wannemacher Jensen Architects designed the facility. Pressman said the restaurant will serve “elevated country club classics.”

St. Pete Athletic will feature a 30-seat public cocktail bar, a coffee and breakfast bar, and a members-only, speakeasy-esque cocktail lounge with a billiards table and fireplace. Courtside tables will come equipped with tablets to facilitate food and beverage ordering.

Pressman noted that anyone can pay for a day pass and use the courts, pending availability. The social club amenities are private, and additional membership perks include priority access and preferred pricing throughout the facility.

A members-only lounge will feature a bar, fireplace and billiards table.

The 14 pickleball courts, six table tennis stations and two indoor grass and turf padel courts will feature cameras and monitors for live scorekeeping and instant replays. Pressman said players could share highlights with friends.

He envisions an “old Florida-inspired, almost Southern classy garden vibe” incorporating elements from Wimbledon, the world’s most prestigious tennis tournament, held annually in London. “Maybe a little more modern,” Pressman added.

The clubhouse will offer coworking space and a 12-seat conference room for business meetings. The pro shop will offer high-end athleisure apparel, in addition to pickleball gear.

St. Pete Athletic will also feature a boutique gym, a sauna, towel service and six showers. “The hope is that you’re not paying for our membership and a gym membership, as well,” Pressman said.

Table tennis stations and all other courts will feature video replay systems.

Guests can sip beverages while watching matches from seats overlooking the courts. Green Bench will offer a new craft beer program.

The property abuts the Pinellas Trail. Pressman plans to “be the first to apply for a permit, once it’s available, to have an actual connection” into the multi-use trail.

“Half of our members who join don’t play (pickleball),” he said. “They join specifically for the urban country club side of things. We’ll do a lot of events and programming around members in general, unrelated to the athletics.

Pressman noted that monthly memberships, priced at $250 for individuals, $450 for couples and $600 for families, are nearly sold out. He will soon start a waiting list.

Members and guests can order food and beverages from anywhere in the facility.