7 Reasons to Love The Historic Old Northeast in St. Petersburg

Today’s Old Northeast neighborhood was the first established neighborhood within the City of St. Petersburg. Its amenities, proximity to downtown and parks, restaurants and entertainment mixed with coherent and traditional sense of neighborhood continue to be its strengths nearly a full century after it first became a residential area. An article in the St. Petersburg Times (Jul 1, 2001) described the neighborhood in these words:

“If the heart of St. Petersburg is its downtown, the city’s soul probably resides in the North Shore area. It was there, in the section now called Old Northeast,that St. Petersburg blossomed from a village of farmers’ homesteads to a town born of boom-time prosperity.

It thrives still, having the oldest and perhaps most influential neighborhood association in the city. Real estate values, even in some of the lower-income pockets, continue to rise. Most of St. Petersburg’s movers and shakers have lived at one time or another in a North Shore neighborhood…”

Here are 7 Reasons to Love Old Northeast St Petersburg:

1. Coffee Pot Bayou – The heart of which is east of 4th St and between 19th and 30th Aves NE, was developed in the 1920s and is lined with brick streets and authentic period architecture. While you’re in the area, drive over the Venetian-style Snell Isle Bridge (at Coffee Pot Blvd and 21st Ave NE) to appreciate some Mediterranean-style waterfront architecture.
2. Architecture – From Spanish-inspired 1920s architecture to quaint bungalows and craftsman-style homes—some complete with wrap-around porches—many local historic homes have been preserved, upgraded and remodeled to modern-day standards while maintaining their timeless charm.
3. The Thomas Whitted House – 656 1st Street N – Thomas Whitted, the builder of this 1911 vernacular style house, owned the largest lumber supply business in St. Petersburg.  He and his wife, Julia, raised eleven children, one of whom was Albert who became an aviator and operated the first commercial charter air flights out of St. Petersburg’s airport (later named after him).
4. Northshore Park – 33.2 Acres of sprawling green grass and tropical foliage is the home of four lighted tennis courts, a highly acclaimed dog park, playgrounds, the Northshore Aquatic Complex, and pool. The Northshore Beach is a good place to sun and frolic in the Bay a bit, too.
5. Sunken Gardens– Sunken Gardens, 1825 4th Street N, is a botanical paradise in the midst of a bustling city. As St. Petersburg’s oldest living museum, this 100 year old garden is home to some of the oldest tropical plants in the region. Unwind as you stroll through meandering paths, lush with exotic plants from around the world. Explore cascading waterfalls, beautiful demonstration gardens, more than 50,000 tropical plants and flowers.
6. Palladium Theater –  Originally built as the First Church of Christ, Scientist, 253 5th Avenue N, the church is currently known as the Palladium Theater. The building is an excellent example of Italian Renaissance style architecture. Today, the historic Palladium Theater is consistently ranked as one of Tampa Bay’s best, most affordable venues for classical, jazz, blues, theatre, opera, Celtic, comedy, dance, educational, literary, community events, and more.
7. Vinoy Renaissance Resort & Golf Club  – An excellent example of Mediterranean Revival architecture, the hotel opened on New Year’s Eve, 1925.  Designed by architect Henry Taylor, it was the centerpiece of St. Petersburg’s skyline for many years. The Vinoy Renaissance St Petersburg Resort & Golf Club is the only luxury hotel on the West Coast of Florida with the combination of a private marina, 18-hole golf course & 12-court tennis complex.

It was hard to choose only 7 Reasons to love our city – browse around and you find many, many more!

Chad Grannan is the Jamason Realty Group’s Buyer’s Specialist. Chad has many years  experience in real estate resales as well as in New Construction, and works with everyone from First Time Homebuyers to Seasoned Investors. A buyer’s agent such as Chad acts as a second, professional opinion on one of the largest financial decisions of your life. By working with a professional, you can rest assured that you are making the right decisions for you. Working with an expert, you know that you can avoid some of the common pitfalls that can affect home buyers – and best of all it costs you nothing.