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St. Pete's luxury-fueled identity crisis

From a $30K lounge to a possible Four Seasons, wealth is transforming the city.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Petersburg" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/04/21/wayward-goose-st-petersburg-closing" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/04/21/wayward-goose-st-petersburg-closing" target="_self">St. Petersburg</a> City Council member Richie Floyd&#x27;s jaw hit the floor when he <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="read" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/food/2026/02/21/st-pete-food-hall-kojo-bar-hanna-central-park/" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/food/2026/02/21/st-pete-food-hall-kojo-bar-hanna-central-park/" target="_blank">read</a> how much it&#x27;ll cost to join a members-only lounge coming soon to downtown&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Central Park food hall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/06/new-restaurants-2026-tampa-st-pete" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/06/new-restaurants-2026-tampa-st-pete" target="_self">Central Park food hall</a>.<ul><li>For Tampa Bay&#x27;s once-gritty <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city of the arts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/viewpoints/2026/02/24/is-st-pete-still-city-arts-column/" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/viewpoints/2026/02/24/is-st-pete-still-city-arts-column/" target="_blank">city of the arts</a>, where many residents are struggling with rising costs, $30,000 is a jarring figure. Yet, the co-owner told Axios he&#x27;s been flooded with interest.</li><li>&quot;We actually can&#x27;t keep up,&quot; said Mark Levey, who recently moved from Tampa to a condo on the 28th floor of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Residences at 400 Central" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/12/03/inside-400-central-st-petersburg" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/12/03/inside-400-central-st-petersburg" target="_self">The Residences at 400 Central</a>, St. Pete&#x27;s newest luxury high-rise.</li></ul>Why it matters: The project is one of several that signal a burgeoning movement toward luxury and exclusivity intensified by a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pandemic-induced influx of new residents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/09/19/florida-population-income-moving-migration" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/09/19/florida-population-income-moving-migration" target="_self">pandemic-induced influx of new residents</a> — and wealth.

Hillsborough County sues state over Live Local Act

Local governments have long been on the losing end of a tug-of-war with Tallahassee over home rule.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hillsborough County" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/02/07/hillsborough-county-affordable-housing-program-ended" data-vars-content-id="d04717b1-9dbc-40e9-b8c4-c6906b322d0d" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough County sues state over Live Local Act" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/02/07/hillsborough-county-affordable-housing-program-ended" target="_self">Hillsborough County</a> sued the state over the constitutionality of a 2023 law that preempted local governments&#x27; authority over development in an effort to expand the supply of affordable housing.Why it matters: Local governments have long been on the losing end of a tug-of-war with Tallahassee over home rule, with the state having wrested control of everything from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="guns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/10/18/gun-related-homicides-rise" data-vars-content-id="d04717b1-9dbc-40e9-b8c4-c6906b322d0d" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough County sues state over Live Local Act" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/10/18/gun-related-homicides-rise" target="_self">guns</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/02/12/desantis-undocumented-immigration-trump" data-vars-content-id="d04717b1-9dbc-40e9-b8c4-c6906b322d0d" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough County sues state over Live Local Act" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/02/12/desantis-undocumented-immigration-trump" target="_self">immigration</a>. <ul><li>Land use is the latest front. </li></ul>

Bucs lose franchise legend Mike Evans to 49ers in free agency

Evans has been a mainstay for Tampa Bay since he was drafted in 2014.

Sports

After 12 seasons in pewter and red, Bucs legend Mike Evans is moving on to the San Francisco 49ers, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="multiple" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/adamschefter/status/2031075093103698080?s=42" data-vars-content-id="d73d7eef-e05d-49c7-a5f0-ab2b54c5aa46" data-vars-headline="Bucs lose franchise legend Mike Evans to 49ers in free agency" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/adamschefter/status/2031075093103698080?s=42" target="_blank">multiple</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/RapSheet/status/2031075124846162381" data-vars-content-id="d73d7eef-e05d-49c7-a5f0-ab2b54c5aa46" data-vars-headline="Bucs lose franchise legend Mike Evans to 49ers in free agency" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/RapSheet/status/2031075124846162381" target="_blank">reports</a>.Why it matters: Evans has been a mainstay for Tampa Bay since he was drafted in 2014 — a two-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler who helped the Bucs win <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="their last championship" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/02/08/tampa-bay-buccaneers-beat-chiefs-win-super-bowl-lv" data-vars-content-id="d73d7eef-e05d-49c7-a5f0-ab2b54c5aa46" data-vars-headline="Bucs lose franchise legend Mike Evans to 49ers in free agency" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/02/08/tampa-bay-buccaneers-beat-chiefs-win-super-bowl-lv" target="_self">their last championship</a>.

HOA fees climb in Florida as more homes list with dues

Roughly 64% of Florida homes listed for sale on Realtor.com in 2025 had HOA dues.

Real Estate

The majority of homes for sale in Florida last year came with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeowners&#x27; association" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/29/condo-hoa-fee-state" data-vars-content-id="9ce57830-8925-45ae-950a-8f380b5715d2" data-vars-headline="HOA fees climb in Florida as more homes list with dues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/29/condo-hoa-fee-state" target="_self">homeowners&#x27; association</a> fees, according to data from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Realtor.com" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/homeowners-associations-2025" data-vars-content-id="9ce57830-8925-45ae-950a-8f380b5715d2" data-vars-headline="HOA fees climb in Florida as more homes list with dues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/homeowners-associations-2025" target="_blank">Realtor.com</a>.Why it matters: The Sunshine State has more homeowner associations than any state except California — and the cost of belonging to one has risen.

Bite Club: We tried the revamped Predalina

Predalina closed in late October for a makeover and reopened earlier this month.

Food and Drink

We made our way through Downtown Tampa — during a Lightning game, no less — to visit Water Street&#x27;s Mediterranean restaurant, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Predalina" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/08/16/bite-club-water-street-predalina" data-vars-content-id="b363fd3c-331d-4f42-8a50-d403b88801ef" data-vars-headline="Bite Club: We tried the revamped Predalina" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/08/16/bite-club-water-street-predalina" target="_self">Predalina</a>, last week.Why it matters: Predalina earned a nod from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michelin Guide" data-vars-click-url="https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/florida/tampa/restaurant/predalina" data-vars-content-id="b363fd3c-331d-4f42-8a50-d403b88801ef" data-vars-headline="Bite Club: We tried the revamped Predalina" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/florida/tampa/restaurant/predalina" target="_blank">Michelin Guide</a> in 2024, but it closed in October for a makeover after the restaurant group behind it, which also runs Oxford Exchange, said the space &quot;didn&#x27;t feel like us.&quot;

The best Tampa Bay restaurants I tried in 2024

We uncovered the good, the great and, occasionally, the meh in Tampa Bay's dining scene.

This year, I made it a mission to uncover the good, the great and, occasionally, the meh in Tampa Bay&#x27;s dining scene — from new, upscale eateries to more affordable gems.<ul><li>With the holidays around the corner and friends and relatives not too far behind, I rounded up the best restaurants I tried this year.</li></ul>

What to do, eat and drink in Dade City

There is a lot to appreciate in this town of about 8,000, with tons of craft breweries, a drive-in theater and more.

Newcomers Guide

I visited Dade City one recent afternoon as part of our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="occasional series" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/10/01/dunedin-things-to-do-eat-drink-bars" data-vars-content-id="51b4fa44-cf3a-4da0-90b7-00244c097b7f" data-vars-headline="What to do, eat and drink in Dade City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/10/01/dunedin-things-to-do-eat-drink-bars" target="_self">occasional series</a> on Tampa Bay&#x27;s lesser-known communities.The big picture: There is a lot to appreciate in this town of about 8,000, with tons of craft breweries, a drive-in theater and no shortage of eateries that serve authentic Southern cuisine.

A guide to air-conditioned adventures in Tampa Bay

We've tested out many of the activities in this guide, and we'll keep adding more.

It&#x27;s the most disgusting time of the year.State of sizzle: Temperatures are in the 90s but it&#x27;s humid enough to feel like 200. The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mosquitos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/07/11/mosquito-season-sucks-dengue-tampa-bay-hillsborough" data-vars-content-id="21b8b47c-bd7f-4d9f-95ff-2d49b9c85033" data-vars-headline="A guide to air-conditioned adventures in Tampa Bay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/07/11/mosquito-season-sucks-dengue-tampa-bay-hillsborough" target="_self">mosquitos</a> are jacked up on all the rain. Even the water at the beach is hot.

What "The Mango Tree" author has to say about mango etiquette

Annabelle Tometich knows just how chaotic a fruit dispute can get.

Each summer, as branches across southwest Florida begin to sag with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mangos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/07/05/mango-recipes-florida-summer-fruit" data-vars-content-id="34ec0393-40a9-4bb8-8350-2a5b9a244ac2" data-vars-headline="What &quot;The Mango Tree&quot; author has to say about mango etiquette" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/07/05/mango-recipes-florida-summer-fruit" target="_self">mangos</a>, Annabelle Tometich feels her nerves kick in.Why it matters: As mango season gets underway, the Fort Myers author has some valuable rules of engagement, drawing from her experience with just how chaotic a fruit dispute can get.

9 ways to celebrate Pride in St. Pete, Tampa

Tampa Bay is a great place to be in June.

Tampa Bay is a great place to be in June.The big picture: Along with St. Pete Pride, Florida&#x27;s largest Pride celebration, we&#x27;re home to gay bars, LGBTQ-owned businesses and a thriving drag scene.<ul><li>That means there are tons of ways to celebrate Pride Month.</li></ul>

Tampa coffee shop's inclusive mission gets national spotlight

CUP, which stands for Coffee Uniting People, employs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tampa coffee shop" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/04/15/vote-best-coffee-shop-bracket" data-vars-content-id="c90d4deb-58e3-4335-b480-e84db10068d9" data-vars-headline="Tampa coffee shop&#x27;s inclusive mission gets national spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/04/15/vote-best-coffee-shop-bracket" target="_self">Tampa coffee shop</a> last week got a shout-out in the Washington Post — but not for its coffee.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CUP" data-vars-click-url="https://coffeeunitingpeople.org/" data-vars-content-id="c90d4deb-58e3-4335-b480-e84db10068d9" data-vars-headline="Tampa coffee shop&#x27;s inclusive mission gets national spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://coffeeunitingpeople.org/" target="_blank">CUP</a>, which stands for Coffee Uniting People, employs folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

A guide to whimsical, tasty Safety Harbor

Ellie the pink elephant is just one of countless quirky characters in a little town that's well worth the trip

Many of you recognized the pink elephant in yesterday&#x27;s newsletter as Ellie, a beloved icon in downtown Safety Harbor.Why it matters: She&#x27;s one of countless quirky characters in a little town well worth the half-hour-or-more drive from areas such as St. Pete and Tampa.

Make your own stained glass at St. Pete studio

Glass of Life's Jodi Chemes started offering stained glass-making lessons in January.

I tried out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="glass sculpting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/10/24/zen-glass-studio-st-pete-make-your-own" data-vars-content-id="29405244-e6a1-486b-95ec-b7b0da3ed2e9" data-vars-headline="Make your own stained glass at St. Pete studio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/10/24/zen-glass-studio-st-pete-make-your-own" target="_self">glass sculpting</a> last year, so when I heard about a St. Pete studio offering classes in another glass art medium, I had to give it a try.State of play: Owner Jodi Chemes opened Glass of Life at 499 Seventh Ave. N in Historic Uptown and started offering stained glass-making lessons in January.

Spring allergies stink for Tampa Bay pets, too

A rising number of dogs are being treated for allergies and skin problems.

More pets in Florida, particularly dogs, are being treated for itchy skin and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="allergies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/11/allergy-season-length-map" data-vars-content-id="720d8d06-a351-46af-8502-ae16e3202220" data-vars-headline="Spring allergies stink for Tampa Bay pets, too" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/11/allergy-season-length-map" target="_self">allergies</a>.Why it matters: Seasonal allergies can be terribly uncomfortable for furry friends, and they can snowball into secondary issues, including skin infections.