St. Pete asks residents to design its next creative neighborhood

Key Takeaways:

• The new “Creators’ District” covers 28 acres in downtown St. Petersburg
• A four-day public charrette was held to incorporate community feedback
• The Iafrate family’s total land purchase cost reached $20.15 million
• The district’s design draws inspiration from a century-old plan by John Nolen
• Accessibility is central, situated near the Pinellas Trail and convenient bus routes

Community Voices Drive a New District

St. Petersburg’s next big creative development is taking shape in a 28-acre area just west of the Warehouse Arts District, tucked behind the St. Petersburg Distillery. During a four-day public charrette in mid-November, local residents came together to swap ideas for what they hope will become a bustling community focused on art, culture, and collaboration. Free gelato, food trucks, and trolley tours added to the atmosphere, while participants contributed their visions for what this new neighborhood could become.

The Iafrate Family’s Roots

The property is owned by the Iafrate family, longtime locals with a history of sparking community engagement. After establishing Angelo’s Recycled Materials in the 1960s, Dominic Iafrate Sr. and his sons, Dominic Jr. and Stephen, explored their passion for fine spirits by launching the St. Petersburg Distillery in 2014. Today, their family name is synonymous with small-batch liquors—and with this new venture, they also aim to pioneer a people-centric district that embraces St. Petersburg’s diverse creative scene.

Historic Purchases and Modern Ambitions

Local property records show that the family began piecing together land for their proposed “Creators’ District” as early as June 2005, when they purchased two parcels from the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority for $5 million. Incremental acquisitions continued until June 2024, bringing the total cost to $20.15 million. Now, this prime swath of downtown real estate is set to evolve into a dynamic space that encourages collaboration between artists, entrepreneurs, and residents.

Inspired by 1925 Urban Design

As the St. Pete Chamber of Commerce points out, the “Creators’ District” celebrates the legacy of John Nolen, whose 1925 master plan for St. Petersburg emphasized walkability, connectivity, and community-minded design. “This project honors the legacy of the 1925 John Nolen plan and invites the community to design St. Pete’s future from the ground up,” the chamber said in a statement.

A Glimpse Behind the Scenes

Over the course of the four-day event, attendees not only offered their personal visions for the neighborhood but also embarked on tours of the undeveloped tract and its surrounding gems. “We took a great trolley tour of the property, which included a historic bus depot, steel factory, concrete facility, and the St. Petersburg Distillery,” says Dawn Stewart, a local community member. She noted unique details, such as honeybees kept in old barrels at the distillery and the 250,000 bottles of hand sanitizer the establishment donated during the Covid pandemic.

Community Building, One Idea at a Time

In addition to gleaning fresh insights from everyday citizens, the Iafrate family sought to replace older development concepts with “a more authentic, people-centric plan.” “St. Petersburg deserves something better, something rooted in creativity, collaboration, and a real sense of place,” says Dominic Iafrate in a statement. While finer details and more specific timelines are still under wraps, planning officials say the family will now integrate the collected feedback into the evolving blueprint for St. Pete’s next creative frontier.

With fresh energy propelling this new district, residents and leaders alike hope the emerging “St. Pete Cre8” will become a buzzworthy destination that remains faithful to the city’s historic foundations while striking out boldly toward a vibrant future.