The Pink Streets of St. Petersburg and the Pinellas Point Neighborhood
The Pink Streets is a desirable neighborhood at the southernmost tip of St Petersburg and Pinellas County. The name “The Pink Streets” comes because yes, the streets are actually pink! Not hot pink but a muted soft reddish-pink that actually goes well with the surrounding landscape. This neighborhood is surrounded by water and features a large waterfront park. I consider this a little known area of St. Pete to find a waterfront home at a value – prices are generally lower here than in north St. Petersburg, and often the elevation of the homes in Pinellas Point is higher. That means – you guessed it – some homes here require no flood insurance. (Not that everyone near water shouldn’t carry optional flood coverage.)
Pinellas Point Real Estate
So you may be wondering – why are the streets pink? Back in the 1920′s, the Pinellas Point Pink Streets development was dreamed up by a gentleman named George Cook. Cook’s Murok Development Company had visions for an upscale neighborhood that would be grander than any other development in the area, and ordered the pink streets because no one else had them. They were thought very chic and caused a sensation. Actually, Cook’s plans for the Pinellas Point neighborhood were much grander than what actually was built. An old plat map of his development shows the existing streets and neighborhood, but also shows proposed additions, made up of fill that was to have extended out a third of a mile past the current waterfront, out into Tampa Bay. There would have been canals and a lot more houses, probably looking something like areas of Venetian Isles do today. But in 1926, the St. Petersburg boom period was over, and not only was the additional fill never completed, but much of the Pink Streets development area sat empty for years. Many of the early investors in the Pink Streets who purchased lots fell into bankruptcy, however over the years, many different styles of homes were built in the Pink Streets giving it the wide diversity of architecture we see today.
Over time, lots were purchased and homes were built. But regardless of the type of house, the area residents have always loved the Pink Streets, the lush trees in the neighborhood, the curvy roads, the essence of being different from the rest of the city. And so, in the 1980′s, when the old concrete streets were so badly cracked and patched that you risked your car’s health to even drive on them, it’s not surprising that residents pushed the city to ensure that, when it came time to repave their streets, they’d be paved in pink concrete again. The streets pink tone really helps to avoid the sun’s glare and reflection and absorb heat!
The Pink Streets neighborhood runs between about 10th Street and 21st Street, just south of Pinellas Point Drive South. Some of the roads dead-end with a view overlooking the bay and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. There are some gorgeous older homes, along with some fine newer construction homes! It’s a nice drive if you’d like to check out a waterfront community you didn’t know was there – and it’s really only 10 minutes from Downtown St. Pete – I’ve clocked it!
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