Project News & Recognition

“Sidd and I are excited to work with a like-minded brand such as Autograph Collection Hotels, who are also known for the same uniqueness that sets the EDGE District apart.”
— Casey Ellison, CEO of Ellison Companies.

The Central St. Pete

The Central brings 4 Star Hotel and Needed Class A Office Space to St. Pete

Revised development plan includes more Class A office space

The Central to feature monument honoring city’s Courageous 12

 

St. Petersburg, FL – Ellison Development broke ground today on The Central (RENDERINGS ATTACHED), a transformative 2.1-acre project on the site of the former St. Petersburg Police Department that will include the first new 4-star hotel in downtown since The Vinoy and the city’s first new Class A office space in decades. The Central will also include more than 500 public parking spaces, workforce housing and retail space, plus a monument (RENDERING ATTACHED) by nationally known artist Ya La’ford honoring the Courageous 12.

 

“We're absolutely thrilled about partnering with Mayor Ken Welch and the City of St. Petersburg to craft a development that honors its rich history while also meeting the demands of its future.” said Ellison Development CEO Casey Ellison.

 

“Together, we honor St. Petersburg's past while forging a fresh era of progress and inclusivity. This groundbreaking isn't just about new buildings; it symbolizes our city's resilience post-pandemic, pays tribute to the Courageous Twelve through public art, and addresses critical needs with workforce housing and residential spaces,” added St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch.

 

Previously branded as Orange Station, The Central’s 15-story hotel will be an Autograph Collection Hotels property. The hotel is conceived as an urban lifestyle hotel designed to interface with the rest of The Central and become the “living room” of the EDGE District. In addition to a bar and restaurant concept, the hotel is expected to offer meeting and conference rooms, multiple event spaces, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, a multi-level theater, and a rooftop pool.

 

The 12-story office tower will feature 125,000 square feet of Class A office space. It will be the first Class A office space in downtown since the 1980’s.

 

“Class A Office Space is a very broad category,” says Ellison. “What we’re going to offer is not only high-end finishes and the latest technology. It will be highly amenitized and driven by the lessons we’ve learned in the hospitality space. It’ll be ideal for employers that are looking to entice their teams to come back to the office.”

 

The Central will also include 14,000 square feet of retail space on the ground level along Central Ave and 1st Ave N. A public plaza will great visitors with outdoor cafes and La’ford’s public art monument Courageous 12 paying tribute to a group of black officers who went to court in 1965 to gain the full rights and authority of their white counterparts.

 

The 42 apartments that will be part of the development will be 100% workforce housing. The multifamily component will be known as The Wye.

 

“Workforce housing is a critical need for the city and the diversity of housing options at The Central will meaningfully contribute to the stability for many residents and families,” Ellison added.

 

Hand-selected for their inherent craft and distinct perspectives on design and hospitality, Autograph Collection Hotels properties offer rich immersive moments that leave a lasting imprint. Each hotel is a product of passion, inspired by a clear vision, soul, and story that makes it individual and special. Currently, The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club is the only property within the Autograph Collection Hotels brand located in St. Petersburg. In addition to The Vinoy, other Tampa Bay area properties within the Autograph Collection Hotels brand include Fenway Hotel in Dunedin, The CURRENT Hotel and The Epicurean Hotel in Tampa, Waterline Villas & Marina in Holmes Beach, and Art Ovation Hotel in Sarasota.

 

It’s expected The Central will be completed by spring 2026.

“As a huge supporter of the YMCA and its mission, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to help them expand their footprint in the Tampa Heights community and beyond. It’s an honor and a privilege to be a part of the team that understands how to honor the neighborhood’s past while ushering it in to its next chapter”
— Casey Ellison, CEO of Ellison Companies.

Central City Mixed Use

New YMCA and 6-acre mixed use development envisioned in Tampa Heights

New YMCA will more than double current Central City Y

TAMPA, FL. (May 31, 2023) – On behalf of the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, Ellison Development has filed plans for a new 6.20-acre mixed use development (RENDERING ATTACHED) in Tampa Heights. The proposed development will include a new 110,000-square foot YMCA, more than 20,000 square feet of curated green space, a 200-room luxury-lifestyle hotel, office and retail space, and residential units.

Partially located within the Tampa Heights Historic District the prospective development consists of 477 multi-family units of which at least 10% will be set aside for affordable housing. Plans call for 184,000 square feet of office space and 100,000 square feet of retail, of which a portion will be dedicated for small, minority-owned businesses.

According to YMCA President and CEO Matt Mitchell, the new YMCA will more than double the space of the current Central City YMCA located at 110 E. Palm Ave.

“For 135 years, the YMCA has been woven into the fabric of our city. This development, with a new, modern YMCA as an anchor, will stand as a testament to our commitment to meeting the evolving needs for future generations. We look forward to robust conversations with the Tampa Heights residents and our neighbors as we explore the many ways this vision can offer value to the community. Local community feedback will be critical as we bring this vision to reality,” said Mitchell.

The new YMCA will feature a licensed pre-school, before and after-school care, teen programs, summer day camps and enhanced wellness resources to meet community needs. It will also have a roof-top pool with expanded swimming lessons and drowning prevention programs, pickleball courts, and a skybridge over Florida Avenue that will connect to parking, and the organization’s corporate offices. The current YMCA will not close until the new YMCA is open.

“Our new facility and the surrounding development will generate resources to further our mission and extend our reach into underserved Tampa communities. The YMCA is a catalyst for empowerment, offering a wide range of opportunities for fitness, education, recreation, and social connection. It is our vision to empower every individual in our community to reach their healthiest and most fulfilled life,” added Mitchell.

Plans call for the preservation of the Standard Oil Building located at 110 E Oak Ave. Additionally, the YMCA is providing a 10-foot easement along E. Palm Ave. for a potential streetcar expansion.

Tampa Heights plays a special role in our city’s history. Keeping this front and center, the YMCA has selected Ellison Development, a local and Tampa-based company, as their partner in launching this project. “As a huge supporter of the YMCA and its mission, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to help them expand their footprint in the Tampa Heights community and beyond. It's an honor and a privilege to be a part of the team that understands how to honor the neighborhood's past while ushering it in to its next chapter,” said Ellison Development CEO Casey Ellison.

The development will be done in phases with the construction of the YMCA being part of phase one. Ellison expects to break ground on the new YMCA in the summer of 2024 with completion in early 2026.  The entire development will take roughly five years to finish.

Working on the project with Ellison Development are architects Fleischman Garcia Maslowski, engineers Kimley-Horn, and Gardner Brewer Hudson as zoning attorney.