The greater downtown area is flourishing with a rapidly evolving retail and arts scene supported by a growing population of residents and daytime office employees. Revitalization of the downtown core continues with projects that include new retail shops, restaurants, research facilities, residential towers, craft breweries, and cultural facilities. Key areas of downtown include the Innovation District with the University of South Florida – St. Petersburg campus and Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and Research Center, Bayboro Harbor with a concentration of marine institutions, a museum district of seven institutions, and several major arts districts spanning from the waterfront up Central Avenue.

All of the city’s major industry sectors are represented by downtown businesses, especially those in Creative Arts and Design, Marine and Life Sciences, and Financial Services. Since 2014, 10 corporations have relocated their businesses from outside of St. Petersburg to downtown offices. Over the past five years, the number of dwelling units downtown has increased by almost 20%.

Major projects include:
The Salvador is a 13-story, 74-unit green-certified condo building under construction at 2nd Street S and Dali Blvd (5th Avenue S). The tower, overlooking Tampa Bay and the Dali Museum, includes 3,300 SF of retail.
St. Petersburg II Apartments, developed by NRP Group of Beacon 430, is an 8-story, 348-unit apartment complex on the block between 4th and 5th Streets and 2nd and 3rd Avenues S.
The long-vacant Pheil Hotel site at 400 Central Avenue underwent demolition and will be developed as a mixed-use project by the New York developer, Red Apple Group.
ONE St. Petersburg will be located on the block bound by Central Avenue, 1st Street N, 1st Avenue N, and 2nd Street N. The mixed-use project includes a 13-story, 174-room hotel, a 41-story condo building with 253 units, and over 17,000 SF of retail space. After completion, it will be the tallest building in Pinellas County.
The Galaxy Hotel, located at 316 1st Street N, will be an 11-story boutique hotel with 100 rooms.
The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art is under construction at 100 Central Avenue. Expected to open in fall 2017, the museum will be the permanent home of 400-500 premier works of art from the collection of Tom and Mary James. The project includes 30,000 SF of gallery space, a sculpture court, a 120-seat theater, event space, store, and cafe.
The Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement is under construction on 3.5 acres at 4th Avenue N between 3rd and 4th Streets. The $70 million, 5-story museum will have 172,000 SF of space making it the largest museum in Tampa Bay.
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital is constructing an $85 million, 225,000 SF research facility at 5th Street and 6th Avenue S. When completed in 2018, the facility will employ approximately 200 faculty, educators, researchers, physicians, nurses, and support staff. The project includes a 250-seat auditorium, research offices, simulation lab, and research lab space.
A new Police Headquarters will be built at 1301 1st Avenue N, across the street from the existing station. The $81 million, 167,519 SF project is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
New St. Pete Pier: City Council approved the $46 million Pier Park project in May 2015. Demolition of the old pier began in August 2015. The City issued RFPs for a pier head waterfront restaurant and pier programmer and operator in Fall 2015. Demolition of the old pier is complete and the project is currently in the design and permitting phase. The New Pier is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

Downtown Waterfront Master Plan: City Council approved the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan which provides a vision for the future of the downtown waterfront from Coffee Pot Bayou to Lassing Park. The plan ties the waterfront together with a continuous trail of activities and amenities and also makes more extensive use of important economic development assets including the Port and Marina.

Information is taken from the official City of St. Petersburg website.