St. Petersburg officials recorded two deeds on Nov. 3, transferring critical parcels of the former police headquarters site to companies linked to the EDGE Central development, according to St. Pete Catalyst. The transfers, signed by City Administrator Robert Gerdes and filed in Pinellas County records, clear a long‑standing obstacle for the $200 million mixed‑use project.
One deed conveys roughly one‑third of an acre to OS Hotel LLC, the entity slated to develop a 15‑story Marriott Autograph Collection hotel with 168 rooms. The second deed transfers the parcel that includes the newly completed seven‑story, 540‑space parking garage to OS Parking Sub LLC. Both parcels lie in the EDGE District at the corner of Central Avenue and 13th Street North.
The city and the developer also executed a 28‑page post‑closing agreement outlining remaining construction obligations. Under the agreement, the developer must finish the office tower (named Halcyon), retail space, and 42 workforce apartments by Jan. 1, 2030, unless an extension is granted. The base purchase price is $6.4 million, with a city purchase‑money mortgage of up to $4 million and various credits negotiated as part of the redevelopment.
Since the city selected the development team in 2019, the site—approximately 2.1 acres at 1301 Central Avenue—has undergone several revisions. Construction began in February 2024, and the parking garage opened in June 2025, a milestone celebrated by city officials and developer Casey Ellison. In July 2025, ARK Invest announced it would occupy the top floor of the planned Halcyon office tower, providing a major tenant for the project.
The development also includes a public courtyard honoring the Courageous 12, a group of Black St. Petersburg police officers who fought for equal treatment in the 1960s, as well as restaurants and additional retail space. Workforce housing is earmarked for city employees, with at least five apartments reserved for eligible staff and further provisions governing broader rental eligibility.
Legal challenges that threatened progress were resolved in March when Backstreets Capital voluntarily dismissed a lawsuit accusing Ellison Development of delaying construction. The dismissal was without prejudice, leaving the door open for future filings but removing the immediate dispute.
The agreement provides financial safeguards for the city, including a potential $1 million payment if office improvements are not completed as specified, and remedies tied to the delivery of the workforce apartments.
Ellison praised the milestone, saying, “We purchased the project three years ago and we’ve accomplished much since then, including opening the parking garage and making our way through a complex set of designs and permits,” and hinted that “exciting announcements” are forthcoming in the next few weeks.
What’s next: The developer must meet the Jan. 1, 2030 deadline for completing office, retail and housing components, subject to possible extensions. City officials anticipate further updates on tenant commitments and construction timelines in the coming weeks.
Sources: stpetecatalyst.com
