Downtown St. Petersburg is bracing for a historic night as construction on The Residences at 400 Central, a 1.3-million-square-foot project developed by New York-based Red Apple Real Estate, enters a pivotal phase. Suffolk Construction, the project’s general contractor, is coordinating the largest-ever continuous pour of concrete for a non-governmental project in the city’s history, set to begin tonight around 9 PM. This monumental undertaking is crucial in realizing the vision of the project’s architect, Arquitectonica, which will ultimately rise 515 feet as the tallest residential condominium on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Over the next 20-24 hours, the city will be a focal point of construction activity as an estimated 650 concrete trucks, supplied by industry-leading materials company Cemex, converge on the site. Their task is monumental: to pour over two million pounds of concrete that will form the foundation for the 46-story tower. The scale of this operation is vast, equating to roughly 6000 yards, comparable to filling five basketball courts to a depth of eight feet.
Birds-eye view of the development site at 400 Central Avenue. Courtesy of Aerial Innovations.
Bolstering this immense layer of concrete is more than five million pounds of steel reinforcement, designed to bear the stresses of a towering high-rise. Baker Concrete Construction, serving as the project’s shell contractor, has been instrumental in orchestrating this feat of engineering. Gulf Coast Rebar, the project’s rebar installation contractor, has also played a pivotal role in preparation for this unprecedented concrete pour. Together with the Suffolk team, they are laying the groundwork for a structure redefining the city’s skyline.
Construction workers at the site of The Residences at 400 Central. Credit: Red Apple Real Estate.
Before the imminent concrete pour, extensive foundation work had been meticulously carried out at the site. The team adopted a drilling technique for the foundation elements to consider urban construction. Instead of the usual pounding approach, which can be disruptive to downtown neighbors, these elements were drilled and filled with steel reinforcing and high-strength concrete.
Construction workers at the site of The Residences at 400 Central. Credit: Red Apple Real Estate.
Crews have diligently completed a series of 89 cylindrical drilled foundation shafts. These shafts varied in size, ranging from 48 inches in diameter and 87 feet deep to an impressive six feet in diameter and a depth of 166 feet. This foundational work plays a pivotal role in supporting the ambitious height of the forthcoming tower.
Once the concrete cures, construction crews will begin work on the 46-story vertical superstructure. Due to the time-sensitive nature of concrete, the pour is a nonstop event scheduled to run from tonight into Saturday. The process has been meticulously coordinated with city officials to limit the impact on traffic and special events. A detailed logistics plan is in place to ensure safety and efficiency.
The Residences at 400 Central. Courtesy of Red Apple Real Estate.
Upon completion in early 2025, The Residences at 400 Central will become the tallest residential condominium on Florida’s Gulf Coast, offering approximately 1.3 million square feet of space, including condominium residences, Class A office space, ground-level restaurants, shops, and cafes. The project, designed to bring a new vibrancy to St. Petersburg’s Central Avenue, promises panoramic views from Tampa Bay to the Gulf of Mexico.
“This is an exciting step in the construction of this wonderful project,” said John Catsimatidis Sr., founder of Red Apple Real Estate and principal of the company sponsoring development of The Residences at 400 Central. “We are grateful for the expert staff at the City of St. Petersburg who helped to coordinate the foundation pour. We are moving quickly to build this condominium and deliver homes to all of the current and future purchasers that are buying residences in this wonderful city.”
The Residences at 400 Central. Courtesy of Red Apple Real Estate.
The Residences at 400 Central. Courtesy of Red Apple Real Estate.
“We are thrilled to partner with visionary client Red Apple Real Estate on this game-changing project for St. Petersburg and the Florida Gulf Coast. Our teams are passionate planners who enjoy managing sophisticated, complex project events like this pour,” said Chris Lewis, project executive for Suffolk. “This pour is an important project milestone that required in-depth logistics planning, close collaboration, tight coordination, and flawless execution—our experienced team is leveraging state-of-the-art technologies and planning processes to deliver a pour that is efficient and seamless. We look forward to continuing our work on this landmark project and help make Red Apple’s vision for this project a reality.”
The Residences at 400 Central. Courtesy of Red Apple Real Estate.
Sales for The Residences at 400 Central have surged beyond initial projections, with high-profile transactions such as selling a 43rd-floor penthouse for a substantial $5,230,000. But the allure of The Residences at 400 Central extends beyond its coveted 301 individual condominiums, with interiors meticulously crafted by Celano Design Studio. This development has curated a microcosm of luxury amenities, offering over 12,900 square feet of indoor and 23,100 square feet of outdoor private residential spaces. Residents can relish in the tropical resort-style pool deck or adhere to their fitness goals at the professional-grade fitness and wellness center, further enhancing the appeal of this highly anticipated project.
The Residences at 400 Central. Courtesy of Red Apple Real Estate.
The Residences at 400 Central. Courtesy of Red Apple Real Estate.
The Residences at 400 Central. Courtesy of Red Apple Real Estate.
Adding to the building’s allure is the 46th-floor observation deck. From this vantage point, residents can soak in panoramic views stretching from the vibrant streets of downtown St. Petersburg to the tranquil waters of Tampa Bay. The project also earmarks 40,000 square feet for office space and vibrant commercial outlets, including shops and restaurants, enriching the live-work-play balance for its future residents.
A sales gallery, established by Red Apple and Michael Saunders & Company, continues to facilitate the sales of luxury condominiums across the street from the development site. Clear ph Design is handling marketing and branding for the development.
WSP is the structural engineer, and Langan Engineering is the civil engineer. As the construction progresses tonight, St. Petersburg is one step closer to welcoming this landmark addition to its skyline.
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