The Residences at 400 Central is a 46-story luxury condominium tower reshaping the skyline of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. Recently, the building topped out at 515 feet, officially becoming the tallest structure in St. Petersburg and the tallest residential building on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Developer Red Apple Group has likened the project to an “Empire State Building of St. Petersburg,” underscoring its landmark status in the region. Occupying an entire city block, the high-rise will include 301 condominium units along with substantial office and retail space at its base. With construction in its final stages and completion expected by spring 2025, the tower is on track to welcome its first residents by summer 2025.
Construction of The Residences at 400 Central has made swift progress over the past two years. By late 2024, crews had reached the 46th floor and poured the roof slab, marking the end of vertical construction. The project’s building pace was notably rapid – at one point averaging about one new floor every six days as it climbed upward. A workforce of over 700 construction personnel has been involved, and the development represents an investment exceeding $400 million. Even a brief setback in late 2023 – when a hurricane’s high winds caused a crane attachment to fall – resulted in no injuries and only minor delays.
Now fully topped-out, the focus has shifted to finishing the tower’s interiors, facade, and amenity spaces. According to the developer, construction is “down to the wire” with a big push to stay on schedule. Project leaders anticipate completion in spring 2025, after which closings and move-ins will begin in the summer. A celebratory topping-out ceremony held in fall 2024 (attended by city officials including St. Petersburg’s mayor) highlighted the tower’s significance and the milestone of reaching its full height. Barring unforeseen issues, The Residences at 400 Central is poised to open on time as the new tallest residential address in the Tampa Bay area.
Sales at The Residences at 400 Central have been strong, though a selection of units remains available for purchase. The tower will house 301 luxury residences, offering one- to four-bedroom floor plans as well as expansive penthouse layouts. As of early 2025, over two-thirds of the condominium units have been sold, reflecting robust demand for downtown St. Pete luxury living. The pricing spans from roughly the low seven figures upward into the multi-millions, depending on size, floor level, and features. In fact, two- to four-bedroom units have been priced from around $1.1 million and up, while the largest penthouses (over 3,700 square feet) are commanding prices above $5 million. This broad range positions 400 Central’s residences at the high end of the market, comparable to other top-tier Florida luxury towers.
Each residence is designed with modern, open-concept interiors featuring floor-to-ceiling glass, high ceilings (10’ standard, with taller ceilings in select homes), and large terraces for indoor-outdoor living. These design features, coupled with the building’s height, will afford panoramic city and water views from many units, enhancing their value proposition.
The amenities at The Residences at 400 Central are designed to deliver a resort-caliber lifestyle for its residents. In total, the tower offers over 36,000 square feet of private indoor and outdoor amenities – including an entire seventh-floor terrace devoted to leisure and wellness facilities. The crown jewel is the 46th-floor Sky Lounge Observatory, a glass-enclosed rooftop lounge exclusively for residents, offering panoramic views from Tampa Bay to the Gulf of Mexico.
This dramatic space will allow homeowners to take in sunsets and city lights from the highest vantage point in town. Additionally, residents will enjoy a sprawling tropical pool deck, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a private theater and game room, co-working areas, and more – all without leaving the building. Services such as an attended lobby with concierge and valet parking further enhance the convenient, upscale living experience. In essence, 400 Central’s amenity package is thoughtfully curated to enable recreation, relaxation, and everyday comfort within a single vertical community.
Notable amenities include:
46th-Floor Sky Lounge Observatory: A residents-only rooftop observatory and lounge with 360-degree views of the city, bay, and gulf.
Resort-Style Pool Deck: An outdoor terrace on the seventh floor featuring a tropical landscaped pool, sun loungers, and cabana-style seating areas.
Fitness & Wellness Center: A professional-grade indoor/outdoor fitness center with modern exercise equipment and dedicated yoga/stretch areas.
Private Theater and Game Room: A multimedia entertainment lounge with big-screen TVs, plush seating, and gaming tables for social gatherings.
Co-working Space & Boardroom: Private co-working offices and a conference room, providing a convenient space for remote work or meetings.
Luxurious Lobby with Concierge: A grand lobby with 24/7 concierge services for residents, plus a secured access entry.
Outdoor Kitchens & Grills: Alfresco dining areas equipped with barbecue grills, seating, and prep space for outdoor cooking and entertaining.
Pet-Friendly Facilities: Amenities for pet owners including a dog-walking area (pet relief zone) within the property.
Private Dining Room: A reservable dining/event space with a flexible layout and bar setup for hosting dinner parties or functions.
Secured Parking & Valet: An on-site parking garage reserved for residents, with valet service and bike storage for convenience.
Collectively, these facilities aim to create a self-contained urban oasis, allowing residents to relax, exercise, work, and socialize all under one roof.
Beyond its private residences, 400 Central is a true mixed-use development poised to enliven the downtown streetscape. The building’s base will incorporate approximately 60,000 square feet of ground-floor retail and restaurant space, envisioned to house shops and eateries that serve both residents and the public. In fact, plans call for two signature restaurant spaces anchoring the corners of Central Avenue at 4th Street and 5th Street, each accommodating around 12,000+ square feet and featuring outdoor sidewalk café seating to create an inviting pedestrian experience. Along the Central Avenue frontage in between, about a dozen smaller retail bays (roughly 1,500–3,000 sq. ft. each) are planned, with flexibility to combine units for larger tenants as needed.
The developer has emphasized a curated approach to these commercial tenants – focusing on a mix of local and notable dining establishments rather than generic chains, in order to “activate an important block in St. Petersburg” with offerings that complement downtown’s character. Early interest from retailers and restauranteurs has been strong, and Red Apple Group has reportedly even turned down at least one national chain, demonstrating their commitment to securing the right mix of quality tenants. Initial retail tenant build-outs were slated to begin in late 2024, aligning with the tower’s construction schedule, so announcements of confirmed tenants are anticipated as the opening approaches.
The project also includes a substantial office component, further enhancing its mixed-use profile. Approximately 45,000 square feet of Class A office space will occupy the tower’s entire eighth floor. This office section will have its own lobby entrance and private elevators (located along First Avenue) to separate it from the residential portion. The design allows for either a single corporate tenant to lease the full office floor or for it to be divided between two mid-sized office users (each roughly 22,000 sq. ft.). By integrating offices above the retail podium, 400 Central aims to bring daytime workforce activity to the building, complementing the residential and retail uses.
Overall, the Residences at 400 Central is on the verge of transforming a key downtown block with its blend of luxury living and vibrant public spaces. From the construction milestones achieved to the high-end amenities and forthcoming retail destinations, the development represents one of the most significant additions to St. Petersburg’s urban landscape in recent years. With completion expected in 2025, this soaring tower is set to deliver not only new homes in the sky but also new shopping, dining, and business opportunities at street level – embodying a dynamic vision of downtown growth and community engagement.
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