St. Petersburg Historic District Faces Modernization Debate as Tower Plans Deferred
St. Petersburg, FL – A proposed 21-story luxury apartment tower in Downtown St. Petersburg,slated to cost $134 million,will face further review after developers voluntarily deferred a vote before the Progress Review Commission (DRC) on Wednesday. The project, spearheaded by Stadler Development, aims to replace seven existing structures within the city’s National Register Historic District, sparking concerns about scale, compatibility, and preservation.
The proposed development,located on a 1.3-acre site bordered by 5th Avenue North and 4th and 5th streets North, would house 370 apartment units, 3,819 square feet of retail space, and a 485-space parking garage. However, the aspiring plan has met resistance from DRC members and local residents who question its impact on the historic character of the neighborhood.”This is a tough one,” stated commissioner Sarah Jane Vatelot, echoing the sentiment of many. “I think the scale of it is indeed just hard to stomach, even though the zoning allows it.This is going to be a new normal. It’s the first of many.”
The DRC initially postponed a hearing on the project in July, requesting further clarification from Stadler Development regarding concerns raised by the city’s engineering department. A subsequent memo from the Planning and Historic Preservation Division highlighted the proposal’s failure to meet a key criterion: sensitivity to ancient and archaeological resources. Specifically, the development’s scale and massing were deemed potentially disruptive to the surrounding area, including the nearby 103-year-old Trinity Lutheran Church, a locally designated historic landmark.
Commissioners also criticized new renderings presented by Baker Barrios, the Tampa-based design firm, arguing that showcasing the church alongside the proposed tower actually amplified the visual clash. ”I think the design professional didn’t do the owner any favors,” Vatelot commented, suggesting the rendering made the tower appear even more “offensive” and hindered the ability to envision its integration into the cityscape.
While the existing buildings on the site – ranging in age from 95 to 105 years – have undergone alterations over time and are not protected by historic designation, the debate extends beyond their architectural merit. Concerns were also raised regarding a parking plan that dedicates 85 spaces exclusively to the adjacent Hollander Hotel, leaving a minimal number for residents of the new tower.
“But 85 of them are dedicated already – I’m not sure that even qualifies,” noted Commissioner Michael Kiernan.Hotel owner Michael Andoniades countered that the dedicated spaces would alleviate street parking congestion currently used by hotel and resturant patrons.
The project has also drawn criticism for a perceived lack of community engagement, with the city receiving numerous emails opposing the development.Stadler Development, represented by attorney Don Mastry, opted to defer the vote rather than risk a denial. The project is now scheduled to be revisited by the DRC in November, providing time for further revisions and community input. This delay underscores the growing tension between modernization and preservation in St. Petersburg’s rapidly evolving downtown core.
Keywords: St. Petersburg, Florida, Historic District, Development, Stadler development, Luxury Apartments, Zoning, Development Review Commission, Trinity Lutheran Church, Hollander Hotel, Historic Preservation, urban Development, Real Estate.