Hello, City Life

Beginning after World War II, upwardly mobile families fled urban areas to buy dream homes in newly developed suburbs, igniting generations of sprawl. Now, it seems, the children and grandchildren of the first suburbanites are eschewing expansive lawns and quiet cul de sacs—as well as often-harrowing and expensive commutes—for high-rises in lively urban locales.

The reasons are many and varied. But aficionados of city life enjoy hotel-style amenities, proximity to entertainment and employment and a maintenance-free lifestyle that does not require any type of equipment manufactured by John Deere, Snapper or Toro.

Downtown St. Petersburg is a prime example of this trend. Despite the market slowdown, the urban core has seen a surge in high-end condominium projects, many of which include mixed-use spaces for residential and retail.

It’s no wonder, considering the beautiful waterfront district and the array of things to do and see.

Just ask Deborah Newman, sales director of the landmark Signature Place project. She reports sales year-to-date have already surpassed 2007 at a time when most news accounts about multifamily development seem to involve fire sales and auctions.

"The architecture of our building makes us a real standout, so we get a lot of attention that way," Newman says of the sail-shaped structure. "No matter where you’re coming from, you can’t help but notice us when you drive into downtown St. Pete."

Signature Place’s amenities are another strong selling point. There’s an on-site spa and fitness center, a sixth-floor Sky Garden, a vanishing-edge lap pool and private cabanas.

At ground level will be a planned Urban Plaza where residents and visitors can enjoy views of a six-story waterwall, a shaded reflecting pool and nearby restaurants and shops.

"Plus, our residents can park their cars in the parking garage on Friday evening after work and won’t need them again all weekend long," Newman adds. "They can walk to parks, to the movies, to the theatre and to the museums."

A 36-story tower standing more than 380 feet in height, the 220-unit structure will be the tallest residential building in the city when it’s finished next spring. But if you just can’t wait that long, you might consider The Sage, a 112-unit project comprised of three structures including a 12-story tower.

With 11 different floorplans, The Sage also offers a superb amenity package, including an expansive fifth-floor pool and terrace overlooking downtown. Each unit has its own private balcony and large picture windows to enhance panoramic views of the bay and the skyline.

"We offer balanced urban living, where residents can experience the city’s arts, entertainment and waterfront district—all just a few blocks away from their doorstep," says Leslie Smart, director of sales and marketing for The Sage.

Ovation is another downtown St. Pete jewel where residents are shamelessly pampered. An on-site concierge greets residents in the two-story grand lobby while terraces and a lavish pool deck offer views of Tampa Bay and Straub Park. And the project’s Beach Drive location makes for a short walk to shopping or dinner at BayWalk.

With 42 tower residences and three city homes, Ovation also offers a state-of-the-art fitness center, a swimming pool with a waterfall, private garages for each penthouse and lushly landscaped grounds. Also included is nearly 18,000 square feet of retail space.

The Grand Bohemian Hotel and Residences offers a slightly different take on urban living, with 22 traditional condominium units and 292 hotel guest rooms and suites. Residents enjoy access to hotel amenities and services.

This upscale development will feature the full-service Poseidon Spa, Grand Bohemian Art Gallery, three restaurants, B?sendorfer Lounge, maid, room and concierge services, valet parking, and 22,000 square feet of event space scheduled to open 2010.

Sure these are all special buildings. But they might not be as well-received if they were in downtown Bismarck, N.D., for example. Clearly, it’s the St. Pete lifestyle that’s the biggest selling point for all these impressive projects.

The downtown area is home to six world-class museums, including the renowned Salvador Dali Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Florida International Museum, which is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute.

One of the nicest ways to enjoy art is to simply walk around and discover it. Downtown residents have dozens of galleries to explore, or they can join the monthly Second Saturday Art Walk for a more structured tour of Beach Drive studios. The Downtown Arts Association also organizes a Monthly Gallery Walk that covers the waterfront, Dome and SoHo art districts.

There’s an abundance of cultural offerings, too. The bayside Mahaffey Theater is the local venue of choice for Broadway shows, concerts and performances. Vinoy Park is often the site for community celebrations and festivals, not to mention the ever-popular (and free) Pops in the Park series by the Florida Orchestra.

Yet, although the downtown area is definitely urban, there’s something that feels decidedly small town about its Saturday Morning Market on Central Avenue, where residents congregate to select fresh produce, sample baked goods, enjoy live music and greet friends and neighbors.

Downtown St. Pete also has a beautiful waterfront with its landmark dining and entertainment venue, The Pier. Located at the end of a quarter-mile approach, this five-story inverted pyramid has a huge observation deck on the top floor.

The facility also features its own aquarium, restaurants and a charming collection of shops and boutiques. You’ll find live music and some sort of special event nearly every weekend.

So maybe you still prefer suburbia. Still, even the most committed suburbanites will have to admit, city life—especially in St. Pete—looks more appealing now than ever.