New 10-story mixed-use development proposed near Tropicana Field
By Breanne Williams
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Nov 9, 2021

Just over 2 acres in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg near Tropicana Field may soon be redeveloped after the city received an unsolicited offer for the property.

Atlas Real Estate Partners — owners of The Wayland, the apartment complex at 300 10th St. S that features 481 units — submitted an offer to purchase the 2.02-acre site at 910 Second Ave. S. According to documents submitted to the city, Atlas intends to build a 10-story mixed-use building that will have 20,000 square feet of retail on the ground floor, 15,000 square feet of a coworking space across two stories and 310 residential units.

This could be a unique development due to the inclusion of micro-units and co-living units, which are uncommon in the city and rare to find downtown. The residential offerings would provide more affordable housing than traditional apartments in the downtown core.

Mayor Rick Kriseman is expected to soon select one of two final applicants to redevelop the Tropicana Field site behind this property. The development will span 86 acres and, once completed, will evolve the fabric of the community in the area. Neighboring land is quickly being snatched up as developers race to be on the cusp of what will undoubtedly be one of the most significant redevelopment projects in St. Pete’s history.

The 310 residential units proposed in the building will be broken up by a mix of 145 traditional apartments, 79 micro units — studios ranging between 350 to 400 square feet — and 43 co-living units and 43 short-term rental units. Traditional apartments will include 95 one-bedroom units and 50 two-bedroom units.

Co-living units are leased by the bed and usually are in three- or four-bedroom units, each with its own bathroom. Common areas like the living room and kitchen are shared. The plans show 21 three-bedroom co-living units with 64 living quarters and 22 four-bedroom co-living units with 86 living quarters. Typically, these types of establishments come fully furnished with a bed, dresser and nightstand. The common areas are furnished and stocked as well. Rent includes Wi-Fi, utilities and weekly cleaning.

The estimated 310,000-square-foot building will have a rooftop park, community garden, clubhouse, pool, fitness center and sky lounge. The offer from Atlas said the project will have a “distinct focus” on public art and public open spaces and that they intend to “extend the vibrancy” on Central Avenue by blending outdoor spaces with landscaping and active areas.

New York-based Atlas said the co-living and micro-apartments would help “create natural rent-attainability living.” The block is owned by the city and is bound by Second Avenue South and Third Avenue South. The Wayland is to the south of the property. Documents submitted by Atlas show the development would have a 430-space parking garage, with 120 spaces dedicated toward public use.

Atlas is offering the city $5.5 million for the land. The total development costs are estimated to be around $110 million.

If approved by the end of the year, the proposed timeline shows construction would begin in 2023, and the building would open in the second quarter of 2025.

Currently, the property is under lease to the Tampa Bay Rays and is used for parking. It holds 226 parking spaces. For the property to be developed, the proposals must provide alternative parking for the Rays by the developer, the city or both. Atlas proposes offering 166 spaces at The Wayland structured parking garage to fill the demand for the Rays and suggested the city provide 60 spaces in the city-owned surface parking lot on Third Avenue South between 16th and 17th.

Because the unsolicited offer arrived on the city’s plate, Florida Statutes state the city must now invite additional proposals from any developers or those interested in the site. The proposals — which must be compatible with the Intown Redevelopment Area plan — are due Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. After they are accepted, the city will determine whether it wishes to move forward with any proposals.