Long-debated plans to demolish seven structures within the Downtown St. Petersburg National Register Historic District and build a 21-story, $134 million luxury apartment tower can now move forward.
Development Review Commissioners voted 4-1 Wednesday to approve the 370-unit project, dubbed The Pelican. Their approval followed two hearing postponements and a deferral as St. Petersburg-based Stadler Development worked to address city and community concerns.
However, the firm did not reduce the mixed-use development’s height. Commissioners ultimately decided that preserving naturally occurring affordable housing and neighborhood character was beyond their control, and that the project aligns with downtown zoning.
“At the end of the day, I understand the concerns,” said Commissioner Michael Kiernan. “Do I wish the building was a little bit smaller? Yeah. Do I wish the design was a little bit different? Personally, yeah. But that’s not our purview.”
The fourth time is the charm
Stadler proposed building a 221-foot-tall tower with 3,819 square feet of ground-floor retail space at the intersection of 5th Avenue and 4th Street North in June 2025. The development will encompass 10 parcels with seven occupied multi-family structures ranging in age from 105 to 95 years old.
The commission postponed an initial hearing that month after the city’s Planning and Historic Preservation Division flagged the site plan for a lack of “sensitivity” to surrounding historical structures. Trinity Lutheran Church, a 103-year-old institution, sits 75 feet south of the 1.3-acre site and received historic designation in August.
Commissioners expressed concern regarding the tower’s height and compatibility with the Historic Uptown neighborhood to its north at a subsequent hearing in September. Attorney Don Mastry, who represents Stadler, agreed to defer a vote rather than face a potential denial.
A hearing in November was again postponed until Wednesday. Stadler had two registered opponents, and several residents bemoaned the development.
Karen Potts noted there are “human beings living in these buildings,” which are not “dying or falling down.” She questioned who would help them relocate and if they could afford another home.
While the current structures are contributing resources to the surrounding historic district, the designation offers no protection from demolition. Manny Leto, executive director of Preserve the ‘Burg, said there is “likely a thoughtful, profitable, well-designed project that fits this site – that addresses beautification concerns and others raised here today.”
“But it is not this project,” he added.
Approval at last
Some stakeholders spoke in favor of The Pelican. A local business owner said the site is “plagued by vagrancy, low-income housing and overall unsightliness.”
Former City Councilmember Robert Blackmon is a “strong preservationist” whose efforts have received awards from Preserve the ‘Burg. “But this site is not the site to be saving,” he said.
“There’s some mention of the contributing structures on the site,” Blackmon said. “They do contribute, but they contribute to the blight of the entrance to downtown.”
He noted that city staff unanimously recommended the project’s approval, and that it would increase St. Petersburg’s property tax base. Multiple officials have expressed concern over a potential loss of funding.
Mastry said residents would benefit from a required $1.5 million contribution to the city’s affordable housing trust fund. Stadler must also donate $50,000 to public art.
The firm also addressed two issues broached at the September hearing. Stadler will now screen the six-story parking garage’s south facade after Commissioner Sarah Jane Vatelot previously said the “entirety of downtown” would see back-of-house conditions.
Vatelot said Wednesday that she found the neighborhood compatibility and affordable housing arguments “compelling.” However, that “doesn’t overtake the fact that this building was designed according to the comprehensive plan, and to fit within its zoning district.”
Michael Andoniades owns the site’s 10 parcels and the adjacent Hollander Hotel. Stadler, which is under contract to purchase the property, previously agreed to dedicate 85 spaces in the project’s garage to hotel guests.
After the meeting, Andoniades stressed that the development would not impact hotel operations. He has also agreed to reallocate its parking and provide Stadler with 25 spaces.
Mastry said the tower would create “relatively minor” traffic impacts. He also does not “think it’s right” for property owners to face an uncertain approval process after spending time and “hundreds of thousands of dollars designing a project” that aligns with city code.
Multiple commissioners sympathized with those who opposed the project. “I think, in today’s political climate, a lack of empathy seems to be in vogue; it seems to be a point of strength,” Kieran said.
“I don’t view it that way. I view it as a sign of weakness – avoiding issues that are relevant to us. And the issues raised today … are very relevant. But that’s not our purview today, unfortunately. It’s just not.”
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