Real Estate

Developer Closes On Former St. Pete Police HQ Site Slated For Mixed-Use Project

Ellison Development plans to bring a 10-story office tower, a Marriott Autograph hotel and workforce housing to St. Pete's EDGE District.

Ellison Development closed on the former St. Petersburg Police Department headquarters site in the EDGE District, where the company plans to build a 10-story office tower, a Marriott Autograph hotel and workforce housing.
Ellison Development closed on the former St. Petersburg Police Department headquarters site in the EDGE District, where the company plans to build a 10-story office tower, a Marriott Autograph hotel and workforce housing. (Catalyst Communications Group/Ellison Development)

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Plans to redevelop the former St. Petersburg Police Department headquarters site are moving forward after Ellison Development closed on the property this week, clearing the way for its planned mixed-use project in the city's EDGE District.

The site is the future home of The Central, a development planned along Central Avenue that will include office space, a hotel, workforce housing, retail and public gathering spaces, Ellison said in a news release.

The centerpiece of the project will be Halcyon, a 10-story office building with approximately 116,000 square feet of Class A office space and more than 11,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. ARK Invest has already announced plans to relocate its headquarters to the building, with additional tenant announcements expected, the developer said.

Find out what's happening in St. Petefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The development will also include a 165-room Central Hotel, part of Marriott's Autograph Collection; 42 workforce apartments; and a rooftop park featuring native Florida landscaping.

Other planned features include Central Plaza, a public gathering space, and an art installation by St. Petersburg artist Ya La’ford honoring the Courageous Twelve, recognizing an important chapter in the city's civil rights history.

Find out what's happening in St. Petefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

A 531-space public parking garage has already been completed and will remain open during construction of the office building and hotel.

“This is a big day for The Central and for the EDGE District,” Casey Ellison, president and CEO, said in a statement. “The excitement surrounding this project has continued to grow, and this milestone brings us one step closer to delivering a destination that will create new opportunities and fresh energy to the neighborhood.”

The project is intended to connect the EDGE District with downtown St. Petersburg, creating a destination for businesses, residents and visitors, the company said.

See Also:

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.