Downtown St. Petersburg is about to get a new high-rise neighbor. A 24-story apartment tower is slated to rise at 275 5th Street South as Chicago-based developer Focus and co-developer Bradford Allen move from site testing into full construction. The mixed-use project will bring roughly 370 rental apartments, street-level retail and a double-height sky lounge just off Central Avenue. Developers estimate a construction window of about 26 to 28 months, aiming to open the building in 2028.
Loan Closed, Dirt Already Moving
According to St. Pete Rising, Focus has already started early groundwork testing on the site and has closed a construction loan with Affinius Capital. The outlet reports the company is teaming with co-developer Bradford Allen and intends to move into vertical construction once the engineering work wraps. Recent on-site activity and permit filings point to a quick pivot into full-scale building as soon as foundations are locked in.
Project Size And Who Is Behind It
Focus lists the development as a 24-story, mixed-use tower totaling about 511,509 square feet, with roughly 367 residential units and about 6,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. The project marks the firm’s first foray into the Tampa–St. Pete market. As outlined on Focus’s site, PLACE Architecture is serving as the local architect, and the team is targeting a 2028 completion. In the company’s portfolio, the building is billed as a Class-A, highly walkable addition to downtown’s apartment offerings.
Loan Closed, Dirt Already Moving
According to St. Pete Rising, Focus has already started early groundwork testing on the site and has closed a construction loan with Affinius Capital. The outlet reports the company is teaming with co-developer Bradford Allen and intends to move into vertical construction once the engineering work wraps. Recent on-site activity and permit filings point to a quick pivot into full-scale building as soon as foundations are locked in.
Project Size And Who Is Behind It
Focus lists the development as a 24-story, mixed-use tower totaling about 511,509 square feet, with roughly 367 residential units and about 6,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. The project marks the firm’s first foray into the Tampa–St. Pete market. As outlined on Focus’s site, PLACE Architecture is serving as the local architect, and the team is targeting a 2028 completion. In the company’s portfolio, the building is billed as a Class-A, highly walkable addition to downtown’s apartment offerings.
What To Watch Next
Bradford Allen says vertical work will kick off after engineering and groundwork testing are complete, with occupancy planned for 2028 and the exact sequencing to be spelled out through permit filings and on-site notices. As the team locks in its construction schedule, the public can expect official updates on any lane or sidewalk impacts and changes to traffic management. We will be tracking permits and on-site postings to report firm dates for demolition, foundation pours and the first visible signs of the tower climbing into the skyline.
