Developers want to transform St. Pete YMCA into apartments, retail

A developer and investor have big plans for the YMCA campus just west of downtown St. Petersburg.

Why it matters: The plans for new apartments and retail space are a first glimpse at a possible future for a prominent parcel of land at First Avenue S. and 34th Street S., just outside the Grand Central District .

• The arts-and-entertainment corridor has seen explosive growth as St. Pete's development boom has moved west down Central Avenue.

State of play: Developer Greystar Real Estate Partners and local investor Blake Investment Partners this week submitted an application to the city to redevelop a portion of the Jim & Heather Gills YMCA, per a news release .

• The 25-year-old fitness center will also get a makeover as part of the redevelopment. Proceeds from the sale of about 4.5 acres of the Gills campus will fund the renovation.
• The Y will retain ownership of the land its facilities are on, per the Tampa Bay Times .

A rendering of the renovated Jim & Heather Gills YMCA at 3200 First Ave S. Photo: WJ Architects

Zoom in: The project, called Whitney Village, includes 375 new apartments, an outdoor retail center and a parking garage, according to the release.

• The Bellamy at Whitney Village will house 325 studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments. Residents will receive memberships to the gym.
• Another 50 smaller apartments will be built above 32,000 square feet of retail space. These units will be "at an attainable price point," the release says.
• Plans for the renovated gym include an artificial turf field that will run along First Avenue South.
• A parking garage will include dedicated spaces for YMCA members.

💭 Kathryn's thought bubble: Y'all know I love the Y, and I figured change was coming to the Gills site at some point. The location is in such a high-growth area.

• I just hope that whatever happens, the gym remains accessible to folks of all ages, physical abilities and income levels.

Photo: FK Architecture and PLACE Architecture Photo: FK Architecture and PLACE Architecture Photo: FK Architecture and PLACE Architecture