Fifth Avenue NE in downtown St. Petersburg, from the Renaissance Vinoy Resort Hotel to 4th Street has been a hub of construction activity for more months than I remember counting. Lane closures are common, and there's an occasional traffic backup as we wait for a construction crane to move out of the way. Construction has been ongoing with 400 Beach, 475, and the W Plaza.
Whitney's W Plaza, on Fifth Avenue between 2nd and 3rd Streets, is nearly complete. The blank walls of concrete on the lower floors is looking better each day as finishing details are appearing on the facade. This building should be ready by the end of August. There are several condos still available for purchase.
475, at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 2nd Street, is also finishing up and working on interior details. I'd look for completion of this in October or November. Several condos are available in this building.
400 Beach, at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Beach Drive, is looking better every day as finishing touches are being put on the retail component along Beach Dr NE. Two or three condominiums are still available here. Look for the first closings at the end of December, with most closings in January and February 2008.
Fifth Avenue is the northern boundary of "downtown" with The Old Northeast residential neighborhood to the north of this. All of these condominium projects are within walking distance of the waterfront and all the desirable amenities of downtown: restaurants, museums, shopping, attractions; sidewalk cafes, ice cream shops, galleries.
