Redevelopment pumps new life into St. Pete gas station 

A local contractor has unveiled plans to revitalize a prime corner in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District that currently houses a gas station and convenience store.

Clearwater-based Build America Luxury Homes will transform the Citgo at 2801 Central Ave. into an upscale, 13,000-square-foot commercial building. Founder Qemal Hasanbelli, who grew up in the area, said he has long eyed the property.

He believes the building will set the stage for other planned redevelopments in the rapidly evolving district. Build America submitted site plans and permitting applications for a project totaling $5 million, including environmental remediation, to the city last week.

“That gas station there was always an eyesore, in my opinion,” Hasanbelli said. “I spend so much time out there, it was one of my goals to do something nice.”

The convenience store at 2801 Central Ave. Image: Google.

The new building’s first floor will offer two 1,500-square-foot retail locations. Hasanbelli said the corner unit, a “nicer” 3,000-square-foot space with 14-foot ceilings, will have all the equipment and electrical systems needed to accommodate a “good restaurant.”

He called the second floor “more versatile.” The 6,200-square-foot space could feature a single large establishment with outdoor, balcony seating and retractable awnings, two restaurants or a bar and restaurant.

“I didn’t want to do something that didn’t fit the vibe of the area,” Hasanbelli said. “But I also wanted to bring something a little more upscale to sort of set the standard for what’s to come toward the end of the Grand Central area.”

He has discussed upcoming projects in the growing district with other developers. Hasanbelli believes his redevelopment will pioneer an impending reimagining, and illustrate “what people should expect” to see in the area.

A map of the area. Image: City documents.

The current 1,444-square-foot building is 68 years old. Hasanbelli bought the .25-acre property on the corner of 28th Street North for $1.75 million in December 2023.

The “moment” the property became available, he told his broker, “Yep, we’re getting that.” Hasanbelli said he “didn’t even dwell on it too much.”

“I grew up here in the St. Pete and Clearwater area, so seeing the whole area revitalizing and picking up hit home for me,” he added. “So, making that change … getting rid of that gas station, was almost personal.”

Redeveloping an old gas station requires extensive environmental remediation. Hasanbelli said he is proud of completing a “painful,” nearly 18-month process.

He noted that other developers passed on the site due to the time and costs associated with removing underground storage tanks, excavating and disposing of contaminated soil and testing for hazardous substances.“But at the end of the day, my kids are growing up here,” Hasanbelli said.

“So being able to do something of that nature, getting rid of all that pollution and doing something better, it’s just something positive out of this that I’m proud of.”

A front-facing view of the building.

He similarly questions how a Sunoco gas station at 1517 Central Ave., just over a mile away from his redevelopment, has remained in what is now St. Petersburg’s EDGE District since 1961. That area is also undergoing a growth spurt.

Hasanbelli said he would “probably be one of the first to jump” on the site if it hits the market. “We need gas stations … but also we need to keep pollution away from the downtown area.”

He plans to break ground on the Grand Central site in early 2026. Hasanbelli said construction will take seven to nine months, and the building “should be up and running” by late September 2026.

His broker has started marketing the property, and Hasanbelli said there is already “a lot of interest.” He expects demand to continue increasing once the construction process commences.

Hasanbelli noted Grand Central is home to several older buildings “in dire need of some TLC or redevelopment.” He said new construction standards are “superior” to those in aging structures and provide a “much better experience for the end user.”

Building America has built luxury homes throughout Pinellas County and completed one multi-family development in Treasure Island. Hassanbelli said he has a couple of projects planned for St. Petersburg, “but nothing I can divulge just yet.”