St Petersburg Home « Smith and Associates Blog

Featured Property: 4046- 11th Street North July 1, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

Sitting on a large 1/2 acre gated lot at 4046 11th Street N in Allendale, you will find today’s featured home for sale in St. Pete. This fabulous 4,256 sqft home features 5 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms, a 5+ car garage and beautiful upgrades throughout! Enjoy sunny days by the pool, and spend evenings with a loved one nestled up by the beautiful wood burning fireplace while friends and family enjoy movie nights in the over-sized living room with custom built entertainment center. St. Pete Realtors Cynthia Serra, Lisa Story & Connie Lancaster from The Platinum Group shared some more details on what makes this home so great:

Q: What distinctive features set this home apart?

A: This estate home is situated on more than ½ acre, one of the largest lots in St. Petersburg. It is perfect for a large family with three separate living quarters, the master suite, the guest suite, and a 2 bedroom suite for the children on the other side of this home.

Q: What are the advantages of the location & neighborhood?

A: Located in Allendale, one of the most desirable neighborhoods of St. Petersburg, the home sits among stately old oak and mature banyan trees. Being just minutes from 275, downtown and the hospitals make this a popular area.

Q: Can you describe the architectural style of the home?

A: The home is one of only 30 Pinellas County homes constructed by Cade Allen totally with stone. The stone is not only beautiful but you will enjoy low utility bills as well.

Q: What makes the price of this home so great?

A: You will find that very few homes for sale in St. Pete are in this price range, offering 5 bedrooms, a 5 car garage, 200 sq ft workshop, pool, and situated over ½ acre gated of property. It is an all around magnificent property.

However you like to spend your days, 4046 11th st N, St. Petersburg, Florida is the perfect place for any family. Contact The Platinum Group to arrange a private showing of the home.

About The Platinum Group:

After teaching in South Carolina for 13 years, St. Pete Realtor, Cynthia Serra moved to the Old Northeast and absolutely fell in love with the city of St. Petersburg. Purchasing and renovating her very first home, drove her to the Real Estate industry. She is now licensed in both Florida and North Carolina and works with everyone from first time home buyers to big time investors.

St. Pete Realtor and Native, Lisa Story recently joined The Platinum Group, bringing with her over 15 years of experience with account management, business development and successful sales service. Licensed in both Florida and Texas with a Bachelors in Marketing and Psychology, Lisa was the perfect addition to the team.

Generating most of her business from referrals, raport and relationship building skills are one of St. Pete Realtor, Connie Lancaster‘s strong points. After spending 20 years in Marketing, she found her love for Real Estate and is now a proud member of the Smith family.

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Grayl’s Hotel: Where the 1920′s meet 2011 June 24, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

Built in the early 1920′s by a female developer, the Lantern Lane was a rarity for St. Petersburg Real Estate- fabulous waterfront apartment living with a bit of feminism on the side. In 1994, the building was purchased by Dale Grayls with an array of plans and renovations to get the once leased out rooms ready for out of town visitors and a Prohibition-style lounge. After a name change, the conversion to a hotel and addition of Gatsby’s restaurant, the downtown St. Petersburg hotel hasn’t see many more updates…until now.

Grayl’s Hotel was recently purchased by local developer, Chuck Prather. After speaking with him, he proved to be very down to Earth and ready to bring something great to downtown St. Petersburg. Typically developing government buildings, Prather is extremely excited about this new & much more personal endeavor. And to be honest, after hearing the future plans and additions coming to the historic building, I am pretty excited myself!

Grayl’s, being known for its vintage appeal, brings an amazing historical aspect to Beach Drive, offsetting the modern feel given by the vast amount of high rises lining the street. Prather and his development team plan to preserve this historic feel while converting the building to be more environmentally friendly, meeting all LEED standards; all the while, attempting to keep the hotel and restaurant open and completely functional.

The ground floor will be renovated in several different sections in order to keep the restaurant up and running. The entire back 1/3 of the building will be a new, fully renovated kitchen while the front portion will feature a completely up-dated floor plan and seating area with an Old World feel. With the drive to keep the building “green”, we will also see some menu changes to feature healthier pedigree ingredients that can be found locally.

The hotel rooms, currently giving off more of a studio apartment vibe, will take on some changes as well. Decorated with vintage-esq gadgets and apparatuses, the rooms will have more of a boutique feel with open floor plans and antique bathroom fixtures. A nice change from the corporate world of carbon copy comforters and details.

The renovations will also include a period specific rooftop lounge spanning across the entirety of the building with a perfect bird’s-eye view, over Straub Park, of the marina and Tampa Bay. The lounge will be open to the public with a separate entrance to the hotel and will be a perfect place for a nice downtown afternoon happy hour.

Whether or not the employees dress for the Prohibition period is still up in the air but it seems Chuck Prather has all of his ducks in a line to get Grayl’s Hotel back on the grid while maintaining the 1920’s feel. I am anxious to see the progress and I am sure all of you who call St. Petersburg home are as well.

The hotel will be open for business and offering discounts throughout the renovations. For more information or to make reservations please visit www.GraylsHotel.com.

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Featured Property: 3111 Bayshore Boulevard NE June 15, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

To call today’s featured property a “dream home” would be an understatement. Located on the edge of Shore Acres Overlook, this estate at 3111 Bayshore Blvd NE sits along the water right off of Snell Isle. Enjoy the benefits of living a short bike ride or drive to the excitement of downtown St. Pete while maintaining a quiet but luxurious lifestyle in all 5,000 square feet of your fabulous 5 bedroom 5.5 bath mansion. St. Pete Realtors and Top Producers, Debbie Newman and Scott Allen shared a few more intricate details on this St. Pete Home:

Q: What are the advantages of the location & neighborhood?

A: This home is located on Snell Isle which is one of St. Petesburg’s most well known and respected neighborhoods. Its location is perfect as you are only a short boat or car ride away from downtown St. Petersburg where you can enjoy the many restaurants, shops, museums, and art galleries. The home is also a short drive to Tampa International airport which services most major air ways around the globe!

Q: What amazing views will the new homeowner be able to enjoy?

A: The new homeowner will be able to enjoy panoramic views of Tampa Bay from almost anywhere in this luxurious St. Pete home. One of which is the homes exquisite great room, where both owners and guests alike will enjoy the dramatic sunrises that this home has to offer. Not to mention the multiple terraces and balconies that provide the perfect oasis for unwinding at the end of a long day!

Q: Have there been any recent renovations or upgrades?

A: The home was built in 2008 and comes complete with almost every amenity and upgrade that you could possibly imagine. From the massive first floor great room, to the gourmet kitchen featuring Thermador appliances, pool and spa, boat dock, and a 2,400 square foot garage to house all of your toys! Please click here for a full list of the homes features.

Q: Can you describe the architectural style of the home?

A: The home’s Mediterranean architecture is the perfect complement to the waterfront back drop in beautiful Shore Acres Overlook. Coming home will never be so easy as this residence was designed as a place for relaxation and solitude from the world around! The home also exemplifies luxury by showcasing a well thought out and detailed floor plan for all to enjoy.

3111 Bayshore Blvd NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33703 is said to be “the perfect blend of modern indulgence, uncompromising quality and timeless design.” That statement is undeniable. Contact Debbie & Scott for a private tour of this impressively architected St. Petersburg home.

About The Newman/Allen Team:

Working with all sides of the industry from investors and developers to maintaining relationships with past clients and local residents, St. Pete Realtor, Debbie Newman‘s experience is not limited to the purchasing or promoting of a home. Real Estate may have been her life for the past 20 years but surpassing client expectations is what she loves.

Joining forces with St. Pete Realtor, Scott Allen in 2003, the two were responsible for the complete sellout of every luxury unit in one of downtown St. Petersburg‘s most pristine highrises, Signature Place, which lead to over $100 million in closed sales. The two still remain close to residents of the condominium for whom they host monthly gatherings and social events at various downtown locations. It goes without saying that whether you are looking to buy, sell or just get more involved in the community, the Newman/Allen team are who you want on your side.

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There’s No Party Like a Signature Party! June 3, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

On a May 25th, two of Smith & Associates Real Estate‘s top producing agents, Debbie Newman & Scott Allen, organized a block party for the residents of Signature Place, one of downtown St. Pete‘s luxury condominiums. The party kicked off at the newly opened Community Bank where residents mingled over drinks and appetizers provided by downtown American Brasserie, Cassis while chatting with both old and new friends alike. Later, the party migrated to Bernie’s & Son where residents shopped for their next jewelry piece. All in all, the night was an absolute success!

Scott and Debbie’s long standing relationship with the Signature Place owners has been cultivated over many years. The duo was responsible for the complete sell out of all 244 luxury units in the high rise, turning the once empty rooms into St. Pete homes. This is just one of many parties that the Newman & Allen team plan on organizing for both Signature Place residents and local businesses. Their goal is to continue building the fabric of downtown St. Petersburg one relationship at a time. The two know and understand that a community is what both businesses and residents want to invest in!

A word from St. Pete Realtors Debbie Newman and Scott Allen (pictured far right with Signature Place resident, Paul Lanz): “We would like to thank everyone for coming out to the Signature Place Block Party event on May 25th! We really enjoyed ourselves and hope everyone who attended enjoyed themselves as well. It is always nice to get everyone together; we look forward to doing it again sometime soon. A special thanks to Community Bank, Bernie’s & Son and Cassis American Brasserie for sponsoring this special evening.”

There you have it- it looks like the St. Petersburg community will be seeing a lot of these two in the future. We are looking forward to seeing what they do next!

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Featured Property: 5353 Gulf Boulevard #A102 May 31, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

Today’s Featured Home for sale on St. Pete Beach is located at 5353 Gulf Blvd #A102. This 3 bedroom, 3 bath, 2 car garage condo was built in 2006 and features premium upgrades throughout, including chef-style GE appliances, granite counter tops, a wet-bar, and a semi-private elevator. The condo is located on the seawall where resident boat slips are available for purchase and beach access is directly across the street. St. Pete Realtor, Mardi Bessolo shared some more details about this fabulous condo:

Q: What are the advantages of the location & neighborhood?

A: This beautiful condo is located in St Pete Beach. Since the community sits directly on Boca Ciega Bay, you can enjoy boater access and at any time, grab your beach bag, walk a few steps across the street and enjoy the powder soft white sand of St. Pete Beach where you can watch the sunset, work on your tan, or have cocktails at the beach bar.

Q: What makes the price of this home so great?

A: The condo is appropriately priced for the fact that it is located on open bay waters which is significantly less than the cost of a condo on the beach. The best part is you feel like you are living on the beach since it is still only steps across the street without paying the price for a beachfront condo. This convenience for those who love the beach but can not yet afford a beachfront condo is priceless. I speak from experience as I live right down the street in a townhome located on Boca Ciega Bay with boat access and 1 block from the Don CeSar on St. Pete Beach. We walk to the Don CeSar almost every Friday night to meet up with friends and watch the sunset.

Q: What distinctive features set this home apart?

A: This condo development was built in 2006 therefore it is very new. The interior finishes are just exquisite with dark all wood cabinets, granite on all counter surfaces, stainless steel kitchen appliances and modern lighting. The interiors of this unit were interior designer selected therefore they have the sophistication, flair & style that you want in a home. You also find plenty of living space, storage space & parking which can be hard to find in condo living. The 2 walk in closets, tall base boards, solid core doors, & security system help make this unit a step above many others.

Q: Does the community have any amenities we should know about?

A: The community has a stellar fitness center with professional brand equipment as well as a gas grilling area & of course, boat access! Again, the very close proximity to the beautiful powder soft sand of St. Pete Beach just steps across the street is what makes this condo a must have!!

This Bayfront condo at 5353 Gulf Blvd #A102, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 is nothing short of amazing. To schedule a private showing, contact St. Pete Realtor, Mardi Bessolo.

About Mardi:

After graduating from the University of South Florida with a business degree in Accounting and Information Systems Management & working as a Tax Software Engineer, St. Pete Realtor, Mardi Bessolo decided to make a career change and joined the Real Estate industry in 2002. Since joining the industry, she has worked in both commercial and residential sales with experience spanning into both the development and architecture side. On her free time, you can find Mardi spending time with her husband and daughter or volunteering at one of several local charitable organizations.

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Featured Property: 400 Beach Drive Northeast #1204 May 25, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

Downtown St. Petersburg is home to some of the best luxury condominiums around. Today’s featured property is located at 400 Beach Drive NE #1204. This unit features a fabulous southeast corner view where you can enjoy Tampa Bay from almost anywhere you stand! St. Pete Realtor, Kevin Petelle gave us the scoop on this condo:

Q: Can you describe the architectural style of the home?

A: The architectural style of this building is contemporary with traditional roots. It was built by Opus who built several signature buildings including Parkshore Plaza in downtown St Pete and Waters Edge in downtown Clearwater.

Q: What are the advantages of this neighborhood?

A: Nothing beats living in a beautiful waterfront city. With every amenity available not only in the building, but fine dinning, shops and world class museums all within walking distance!

Q: Does the community have any amenities we should know about?

A: This luxury highrise offers 24 hour concierge, 2 side by side garage parking spots, resort style pool, gas grill, state of the art fitness center and recreation rooms that boast pool tables and large flat screen TVs for large parties.

Q: What amazing views will the home owner have?

A: This 12th floor unit is located on the Southeast side of the building, the most coveted side! Currently the only one for sale on this side of the 400 building. With panoramic views of the Bay, downtown St.Petersburg, the marina and parks. It has been said that this is the best view in town!

There you have it, if you are looking for a St. Pete home with an amazing view and prime location, then look no further than 400 Beach Dr NE #1204 St. Petersburg, FL 33701! Contact Kevin Today for a private tour of the unit and all of the amenities that 400 Beach has to offer.

About Kevin:

St. Pete Realtor Kevin Petelle has been in the industry since 2002 and a local resident for even longer. In his spare time, you can find him servicing the community by volunteering at All Children’s Hospital.

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The Taste of Pinellas is Back! May 19, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

If you’re looking to get out of your St. Pete home for a weekend filled with amazing food, great music and a lot of fun, the Taste of Pinellas in downtown St. Petersburg is for you! This annual benefit allows local restaurants and vendors to share some of their favorite recipes with the city and all proceeds go to the annual All Children’s Hospital Telethon.

Almost 50 St. Petersburg restaurants will be participating in the event. Some notable participants include: 400 Beach, Bella Brava, Central Avenue Oyster Bar, Hooker Tea and MANY more. No matter what your taste or dietary needs, there is something for you! Enjoy everything from Funnel Cake, Island Veggie Wraps and Root Beer Floats to Lobster Mac & Cheese and Ahi Tuna. For a complete list of restaurants and menu guide, visit the Taste of Pinellas section of All Children’s Hospital website.

Food is not all the Taste of Pinellas has to offer. There will be fireworks, tons of family friendly activities and each night there will be live music by several well known artists from all genres of music. Some of the performers you can look forard to include: the 90′s rock band Third Eye Blind, Pop singer Colbie Caillat and country star Josh Turner. If seeing the live show just isn’t enough, check out the Taste of Pinellas section of the All Children’s Hospital Website for more information on the chance to meet your favorite artist backstage!

This year’s event takes place Friday, May 20th, 5:00pm-10:00pm, Saturday, May 21st, 12:00pm-10:00pm and Sunday, May 22nd, 12:00pm-7:00pm. Entry tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door, with discounts for law enforcement, military, persons over age 65 and groups of 10 or more. You can purchase your tickets by calling 727.342.5777, going online to the Taste of Pinellas section of All Children’s Hospital website, stopping by the Tropicana Field Box Office or a local Rally Store. Food tickets can be purchased after entry for $5 per 10 tickets.

We hope to See you this weekend!

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Featured Property: 175- 1st Street South #1506 May 17, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

Today’s featured property is part of Smith & Associates Real Estate’s Signature Collection and is the epitome of downtown luxury living. This two story condominium located in the Signature Place building at 175- 1st Street S #1506 boasts 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms and over 3,440 square feet of indoor living space. But the inside is only the beginning! With over 600 square feet of outdoor terrace space, you can enjoy the spectacular views of downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay from 15 stories up. St. Pete Realtors, Debbie Newman and Scott Allen told us a little more about what this amazingly elegant home has to offer:

Q: Can you describe the architectural style of the home?

A: This property was designed by award winning architect Ralph Johnson and is part of the renowned Signature Place building located in downtown St. Pete. The building’s sleek and contemporary design offer a unique addition to St. Petersburg’s skyline which has been dominated by “box-like” Mediterranean condos in the past.

Q: What are the advantages of the location & neighborhood?

A: The property is located in downtown St. Petersburg, a community that is home to many museums and art galleries such as the Dali Museum and the Chihuly collection. In addition to the numerous museums and galleries this location offers a host of restaurants and night life for everyone!

Q: Have there been any recent renovations or upgrades?

A: This condominium for sale in St. Pete was completed in March 2009 and features an array of upgrades. One of the most unique residences in the building, this unit combines two unit types (A+B floorplans) and offers the following upgrades:

- Two story 3,443 square foot 4 bedroom / 4.5 bath condo
- Over 600 sq ft of outdoor terrace space
- Incomparable views of St. Petersburg’s picturesque downtown waterfront
- European cabinetry
- Thermador appliances including full-size 70 bottle wine cooler
- Granite counter tops, Franke sink, and a Panini faucet
- Hardwood floors and travertine flooring in kitchen & baths
- Floor to ceiling windows which includes a private terrace
- Private customized dressing room

Q: What amazing views will the new homeowner be able to enjoy?

A: This unit features some of the most amazing views that downtown St. Pete living has to offer. This includes panoramic views of the Pier, Albert Whitted Airport, marina, and of course, Tampa Bay! The view is simply breathtaking and is a must see for any interested in high-rise condo living.

Referring to 175 1st St S #1506, St. Petersburg Florida 33701 a luxury condominium is an understatement. Contact Debbie or Scott to find out how to make Signature Place your new St. Petersburg home.

About Debbie:

With over 20 years in the Real Estate Industry, holding her position as a Pinellas County Top Producer since 2004, you can’t go wrong with St. Pete Realtor Debbie Newman on your side. Priding herself on her full service approach and ability to work with everyone from buyers and sellers to high end developers and banks, Debbie is known in the industry for always maintaining integrity, discretion and professionalism.

About Scott:

With a background in state and federal government project management and financial services, St. Pete Realtor, Scott Allen hit the ground running in 2003 when he joined the Real Estate Industry. As a multi-million dollar producer with the philosophy “treat others in the same manner you wish to be treated”, Scott Allen is the Realtor you need when buying or selling in the Bay Area.

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Featured Property: 715- 9th Avenue North May 6, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

This fabulous 2 bedroom, 1 bath St. Pete Home at 715 9th Avenue N was chosen as today’s featured property for several reasons. Not only is the home amazingly priced, but it is perfectly located as well. The bungalow sits within walking distance from downtown St Pete, yet keeps just enough distance to boast a private, tropical feel. St Pete Realtor, Judy Cook shared a few fun facts on the home:

Q: What distinctive features set this home apart?

A: This adorable home for sale in St. Pete is one of a kind. With 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, original wood floors, built-ins throughout and a lush tropical very private setting, it is a home like no other in the area.

Q: Can you describe the architectural style of the home?

A: This St. Petersburg bungalow has loads of charm and character with a Key West style. One of the most notable exterior charms is the rocking chair front porch which is secluded behind an enormous Banyan tree.

Q: What are the advantages of the location & neighborhood?

A: Perfectly located, the home is within 2 miles of the downtown St Petersburg waterfront. If you feel like a nice stroll, you are also just a short walk to beautiful Crescent Lake.

Q: What amazing views will the new homeowner be able to enjoy?

A: If you like privacy but enjoy the excitement of downtown St. Pete, then this is the home for you. Enjoy life from the secluded front and back yard while sitting on the deck in the midst of the beautiful tropical setting.

Located in one of St Pete’s prime areas, 715 9th Ave N St Petersburg, FL 33701 is quite the home. For a private tour, contact Judy Cook; Don’t forget to check out the fabulous backyard!

About Judy:

Licensed in both Texas and Florida, St. Pete Realtor Judy Cook has been in the industry over 20 years. Priding herself on her communication skills, Judy will listen to what you want and take the time to find your dream home!

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Featured Property: 100 Beach Drive NE #1702 April 14, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

Today’s featured property is a part of Smith & Associates Real Estate’s Signature Collection. This fabulous condo at 100 Beach Dr NE #1702 is located in the Florencia right in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg. Featuring 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a two car garage, panoramic views of the water and upgrades throughout, this home for sale in St. Pete screams luxury! Two of our St. Pete Realtors from the YES-Team asked their seller what made this condo so amazing and here is what they said…

Q: What distinctive features set this home apart?

A: From the comfort of your 17th floor balcony, you can enjoy a spectacular 180 degree view of Tampa Bay & downtown St. Petersburg. Enjoy fireworks on the water during events & holidays and a perfect view from the pier to the airport 365 days of the year!

Q: What are the advantages of the location & neighborhood?

A: The advantages of downtown St. Petersburg living are endless. Not only do you have easy access to hundreds of restaurants, shops & a movie theatre, but they are all in walking distance.

Q: Have there been any recent renovations or upgrades?

A: The Florencia is planning on a few updates in the near future. There will be new paint and carpeting on all floors sometime this summer.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to tell us about the home?

A: The people at the Florencia are part of what makes this home for sale in St. Pete so great. The Concierge staff is no less than 5 star and the neighbors are some of the friendliest in the area.

If you are looking for downtown luxury living, 100 Beach Dr NE #1702 St. Petersburg, FL 33701, is where it can be found! Contact St. Pete Realtors Rhonda and Marian of YES-Homes to see the Florencia.

About YES-Homes:

St. Pete Realtors Rhonda Sanderford and Marian Yon Maguire head up the YES-Team. They reigned as #1 in Luxury sales for St. Petersburg in 2010 and are on their way to success in 2011!