Warehouse site turned retail plaza attracts new businesses

A real estate group has transformed an industrial lot in St. Petersburg lined with warehouses into a new retail destination dubbed Seaboard Crossing. 

The 2.5-acre site, at 2400 5th Ave. S., has over 50,000 square feet of space where e-bike retailer Rad Power Bikes operates, and will soon be the home of St. Pete’s first Golfology golf training complex and a new fitness studio. 

“We own and control the entire city block, which includes the Chelsea St. Pete coffee shop on the corner,” said Brent Lieberman, founding principal at Ohio-based Levelan Partners real estate group. “We did a major redevelopment where we divided the buildings, created storefront entry ways, installed all new electrical connections and utilities throughout for multi-tenant purposes.” 

Seaboard Crossing. 

Lieberman said Seaboard Crossing is named after the old Seaboard Rail line that serviced the Warehouse Arts District decades ago. 

The initial acquisition of the property started two years ago when Sight Real Estate in Tampa sold two parcels. The sale included a 42,000-square-foot warehouse and industrial space at 2430 5th Ave. S., which was adjacent to Puckett’s Store Fixtures, which has since relocated. The sale also included an 800-square-foot coffee shop building at 2462 5th Ave. S. 

The ownership group commenced an 18-month buildout process following the purchases. 

“Our tenant mix is complementary for the progression of the district where it blends warehouse with a retail engagement storefront,” Lieberman said, noting how they were able to build 82 parking spaces at the site. “It’s really difficult to find spaces with significant parking in a central business district. This was a big draw for us and the businesses.” 

Inside Rad Power Bikes’ St. Pete store and services center. Facebook image.

Seaboard Crossing’s first tenant, Seattle-based electric bike retailer Rad Power Bikes – the largest e-bike retailer in North America – opened in the plaza late last year. 

The company operates as a service center, offering repairs and assemblies, and also sells its Rad-branded e-bikes, which can be tested on the nearby Pinellas Trail. 

Lieberman said two new tenants have inked leases earlier this month – Golfology and MADabolic. 

Golfology’s floorplan. Facebook/Instagram image.

Golfology, a veteran-owned indoor golf-training center, will be opening inside a 5,800-square-foot space at the plaza adjacent to Rad Power Bikes. 

The store will have six golf simulator bays with various chipping and putting practice stations. Golfers will get to play on over 240 virtual courses, according to the company’s website. 

MADabolic, which claims to be the industry’s first-and-only strength-driven interval training franchise, will also be opening in the plaza later this year, occupying the end-cap building. 

Inside one of MADabolic’s gyms. Facebook image.

The franchise is planning to open additional locations in Orlando and Sarasota. It has an existing storefront in Jupiter, according to its website. 

The two new tenants have not announced opening dates, but they have submitted architectural plans and city permit applications, Lieberman said. 

Although it’s not currently listed, the plaza has 2,500 square feet of retail space available that faces 5th Avenue S.