St. Petersburg’s much-anticipated Pier District opened on July 6 along the city’s downtown waterfront. Under Colliers International’s management, the 26-acre, $92 million project replaces the old pier that closed seven years ago with an engaging multi-use district that offers a wide variety of amenities for residents and visitors alike.
The City of St. Petersburg engaged Colliers International in 2015 to bring clarity to the project’s purpose, market positioning and brand strategy, which would in turn inform real estate development, leasing, management and marketing decisions.
Colliers International’s Real Estate Management Services Florida division, under the leadership of Managing Director John Scott, is handling overall management of the district, which includes retail and restaurants, the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center, public art installations and a family park. Also, Colliers International leasing experts, led by Stephanie Addis, Director, Retail Services, are managing the leasing for the district, including the open-air Marketplace.
The Marketplace, which opens July 10 at 10 a.m., features 17 Tampa Bay-based small businesses in market stalls and pop-up tents. Vendors will provide a variety of goods and services that include pre-packaged specialty foods, art, apparel, accessories, as well as fun activities like caricatures and face painting.
Last year, close to 70 vendors applied for a spot in the Marketplace, which will eventually be able to accommodate up to 30 vendors. The market initially will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“Our primary focus all along for the Marketplace has been to showcase all the offerings our thriving small businesses in St. Pete and the greater Tampa Bay area have to offer,” said Stephanie Addis, Director, Retail Services, for Colliers International in Tampa Bay. “It was important for us to put our leasing experience to work in finding the right mix of vendors who would offer things that are different from the everyday.”
Marketplace vendors include:
• Lily Rose Jewelry Co: locally made handmade jewelry.
• Craft-Tee: custom T-shirts while you wait.
• Gulf Planks: locally made signs featuring area landmarks.
• The Merchant – Purveyor of Local Goods: a local collective of St. Petersburg-inspired souvenirs and handcrafted items.
• 1Pier by One Community: a collective of various vendors.
• Hey Mon Caribbean Cooking Magic: authentic Caribbean specialty sauces.
• Sunshine City Arts: an art collective of various handmade items.
• Flamed Copper: heat-treated copper jewelry and accessories.
• Hats at the Pier: specialty hats.
• Flaming Pearl: tie-dyed custom-printed apparel and accessories.
• Koshien Chanterell: custom clothing, shoes, jewelry, handbags from Ghana.
• Land of Gaia: wood art-fashion-home decor from around the world.
• Goofy Faces Caricatures & Face Painting: caricatures.
• Ancient Herbal Care: organic, plant-based skin care products.
• 7 Sins Blood Caesar Mix: Bloody Caesar mix and rim salts.
• McTavish’s Highland Cookie Shack: locally made cookies, Scottish shortbread and scones.
• Son’ni Boi and Petal: locally made gourmet cashew brittle.
“We’ve done local markets for a few years, and we were ready to expand,” said Darren Crew, founder of Gulf Planks, a Marketplace vendor that sells locally made signs featuring area landmarks. “For a local entrepreneur, this is a great opportunity for our business to be seen by a whole new – and large – audience.”
In addition to the Marketplace, Colliers successfully negotiated leases for restaurants Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, Teak, the Pier Teaki rooftop bar, Driftwood Café, Gator Jim’s Tackle, and Spa Beach Bistro, along with the Pier Gear & Gifts retail shop.
“One of the great things about the new Pier District is there’s something for everyone,” Addis said. “You can spend zero dollars at the pier, or you can enjoy a nice bottle of champagne on the rooftop. You can have your caricature drawn, or you can buy handmade organic soap. There are so many activities and offerings.”
Scott’s team will provide ongoing management services, including overseeing a broad team of service providers that range from janitorial services to pond maintenance.
“The new Pier District is a really special addition to St. Petersburg and the greater Tampa Bay area that emphasizes the local community brand and attracts domestic and international visitors,” said John Scott, Managing Director of Real Estate Management Services Florida for Colliers International. “Many different entities, including the City, have invested their vision, expertise and hard work into getting this district to its opening, and we’ve been energized by the commitment and collaboration that’s gone into making this a reality.”
About Colliers International Group Inc.
Colliers International (NASDAQ: CIGI) (TSX: CIGI) is a leading global real estate services and investment management company. With operations in 68 countries, our 14,000 enterprising people work collaboratively to provide expert advice and services to maximize the value of property for real estate occupiers, owners and investors. For more than 20 years, our experienced leadership team, owning more than 40% of our equity, has delivered industry-leading investment returns for shareholders. In 2018, corporate revenues were $2.8 billion ($3.3 billion including affiliates), with more than $26 billion of assets under management. To learn more about how we accelerate success visit corporate.colliers.com, Twitter: @Colliers or LinkedIn.