So much of downtown St. Pete and the EDGE District are going to look different in a few years as redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District begins. But in at least one portion of The EDGE, we’re set to get an early look at all the connectivity, restaurants, and growth coming to the area.

Located at 1234 Central Avenue, the Moxy Hotel by Marriott is making quick progress on its construction, and I Love the Burg got to chat with the team behind the new project to talk about what locals can expect when it opens next year. Not to say we aren’t looking forward to more hotel rooms, but naturally, we already have somewhere to sleep here. What we’re most thrilled for is the new restaurants and public spaces, and in that regard, Moxy will be one of the most exciting new developments in the neighborhood.

PTM Partners and DoveHill Investment & Development are leading the way on this project, and their commitment to ensuring the hotel fits in with St. Pete’s personality is clear. From floor to ceiling (and then some more on top of the ceiling), their plan incorporates art, music, liveliness, and the type of come-as-you-are openness that makes the Burg so special. Construction is on schedule for an early 2024 opening, when we can expect to see a wide array of new things to do.

With green space connecting Central Avenue to 1^st Avenue South (and eventually the new Hines/Rays development), a courtyard open to the public, a street-side bar, an area for live music, and a café connected to the courtyard, just the Moxy’s ground level alone will bring even more energy to the neighborhood. Then, there’s the rooftop, where two bars and a full-service restaurant will offer high-level al fresco dining as guests look straight down onto Central Avenue.

Sparrow rooftop bar will overlook EDGE District

So, let’s start at the top. Sparrow will be the name of the rooftop concept on the 7^th floor, an indoor/outdoor space which will showcase high-end cocktails in a full-service restaurant and a high-energy bar. The team behind it said the experience at Sparrow will evolve throughout each day and week, changing from a place you might bring your family during the day for lunch, into a date night destination in the early evening, and continuing into a great late night cocktail bar as the clock moves through the pm hours.

We’re told to expect plenty of “crowd pleasers” on the food menu, offering some more higher end and indulgent dishes such as truffle mac and cheese, sushi, whole grilled fish, and fresh-cut steaks. As for the drinks, a St. Pete native is leading the charge on the cocktail menu, which will feature more than two dozen unique creations, including shareable punch bowl-style cocktails.

Sparrow will not only become the EDGE District’s first rooftop bar, but also one of its biggest no matter the elevation, with 2,750 square feet of indoor space and 1,765 square feet outdoors looking over the neighborhood. Sparrow will feature two bars (one indoors and outdoors), though in total the rooftop will have three spots for libations. The restaurant will be on the Central Avenue side of the building, but on the 1^st Avenue South side, the hotel pool and pool bar will overlook Tropicana Field and the Historic Gas Plant District.

The Moxy’s ground floor will become a community space

Down on the ground floor, developers have committed to creating a connected and open space that, to put it simply, feels nothing like a hotel, even though it will also function as a lobby. Their goal is for it to feel like an extension of what makes the neighborhood so great. The lobby bar will feature walk-up seating, where people passing by can simply stop for a drink and sidle up to the bar, or grab a seat in the courtyard. It won’t be considered a full restaurant, but the bar will also have light bites and bar food available.

As part of the indoor space, there will be an area for live musicians and bands to perform, and developers plan to use the combined indoor and outdoor areas as an event space for art galleries, live shows, and other activities. Meanwhile, the lobby will also showcase their marquee café, Rose’s Coffee Bar. The all-day coffee shop will also connect to the courtyard space, offering freshly-made caffeinated beverages, baked pastries, and even tasty gelato.

In addition to connecting 1^st and Central Avenues, the courtyard at The Moxy will also line up perfectly with the green space along Booker Creek as part of the Gas Plant redevelopment, seamlessly connecting the EDGE District all the way to 5^th Avenue South. In addition to the hotel itself, the developers have taken ownership of the Dr. BBQ building just down the road, and they will also be converting the former vintage furniture building next door into commercial and retail space.

Stay tuned to I Love the Burg for more updates on Moxy and its food and beverage concepts, as well as news on what will become of the other vacant spaces as the block develops.

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