Since its insertion into the downtown business conversation, The Station House has been causing much discussion. The multi-use project will host a combination basement bar/restaurant/speakeasy, lifestyle retail area spanning the second floor, a tech school on the third floor, a co-work space on the 4th floor and two corporate penthouses on the top level.
These exciting facets will mirror the closest thing of its kind in the Bay area, Tampa's The Oxford Exchange. In an update on the design and layout of the Station House, here are a few key ingredients that make this mixed-use building huge news for the Burg.
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The bottom floor restaurant/bar, formerly Cafe Alma, will include a banquet area and speakeasy lounge. Most intriguing about the new restaurant is owner, Steve Gianfilippo's commitment to farm-to-table dining. "With the Saturday Morning Market so close to the building, we plan on sourcing our ingredients from vendors."
When asked about what we can expect at the second floor lifestyle retail space, Steve Gianfillipo stated, "We want to hit the trifecta. The big three being coffee, juice and tea."
Expect a quiet library/work area where any one walking, running, biking or looking to escape the office can take a break. "There will be wifi and lounge chairs throughout the floor. We're hoping to keep the retail spot local and fresh. I'm excited about the small business movement in St. Pete. We want to add the Station House to that cultural canon." said Gianfilippo.
Photo via Station House on Facebook
A tech school called Iron Yard will take up the entirety of the third floor. There will be classrooms and study areas for students and teachers to make use of on a daily basis. "The synergy between the school, the retail space and the restaurant are exactly what we wanted to happen," said Gianfilippo. "Each aspect of the Station House complements the other."
Photo via TheIronYard.com
The fourth floor will offer freelance writers, architects, artists and marketers spaces to lease out or drop into. The spaces fuel what Gianfilippo describes as an "entrepreneurial spirit" behind the entire Station House concept.
The fifth floor will provide two corporate penthouse suites that those budding entrepreneurs can access once they make it big. The accommodations don't end at the Station House. Gianfilippo also acquired the Pier Hotel, located a block away from Sundial on 2nd Avenue North.
"There's a place called the Foley House Inn in Savannah, Georgia. The inn maintains its vintage image while offering accommodations for the everyday traveler. We're looking to mirror that. We want to do justice to the history of St. Pete while providing a progressive meeting place for residents and visiting businesses," said Gianfilippo.
Finally, for those who were fans of Sunday brunch, Gianfilippo has no plans to disrupt the legacy set by Cafe Alma. In addition to a top brand chef to head the restaurant, he says that future Station House restaurant patrons will continue to enjoy the traditional Bloody Mary bar made famous by his predecessors. "We want to make the Station House a fun, innovative and versatile center for commerce. Our goal is to enhance the landscape of the downtown area."
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