Mixed-use development in Edge district has topped out
By Breanne Williams
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: May 13, 2024

A 15-story mixed-use development in St. Petersburg’s Edge district hit a significant construction milestone May 10 as general contractor JE Dunn celebrated the topping out of the Viv.

The Viv is the latest project from Belpointe OZ and is located at the southwest corner of 1st Avenue North and Dr. MLK Jr. Street at 1000 First Ave. N. JE Dunn broke ground on the site in May 2023.

The project consists of two 15-story towers and, when complete, will 269 feature apartments. The units will range from studios to three-bedroom units.

“I think it’s a natural sprawl from Central Avenue,” Dan Frazier, project director for JE Dunn Construction, told the Tampa Bay Business Journal. “Central Avenue is very dense, but I think the community in St. Petersburg needs this kind of sprawl, needs further growth off that central spine."

Amenities at the project include a club room, swimming pool and fitness center. There will also be 15,500 square feet of commercial retail space at the site and a 355-space parking garage.

Frazier said the developer will be looking to fill the retail spaces with tenants that complement the activity on Central Avenue.

The project’s length has allowed the developer to create several areas both externally and within the interior lobby for public art.

Belpointe acquired the 1.6-acre site in 2020 for $12 million, according to the property appraiser. The project received approval from St. Pete city council in December 2022.

MSA Architects is the design firm on the project.