Central Park is headed to 551 Central Ave., where Sarasota-based Hi Hospitality Group has spent the last three years building out its brand new food hall, late night hotspot and event space.
The massive, 27,700 square-foot concept, helmed by Hi Hospitality’s Culinary Director Chef Hart Lowry, will boast a high-end cocktail bar in its newly-constructed basement, seven fast casual spots in the main food hall area on the ground floor, and a dessert bar and boutique on its mezzanine. An Asian-inspired restaurant called Kojo and cocktail spot Bar Hana will both occupy the fourth floor, with the latter offering a rooftop experience that will feature prized views of downtown St. Pete and Tampa Bay.
Central Park’s fifth floor will be a members-only dining area and social club, with “a private bar and lounge area, designed with luxurious emerald green accents.”
Hi Hospitality’s Director of Operations Robert Castellon says that in addition to housing a variety of food and drink concepts, Central Park will also organize different events and activities, plus “visual programming” on its 23-foot TV screen.
The company describes Central Park as a place “where gourmet street food meets modern culinary and mixology innovations," sharing that the multi-faceted concept is slated to open later this year.
Only five of the food hall’s seven fast casual restaurants have been announced, with many of them having flagship locations in Sarasota. Palm Avenue Deli will dish out NYC-style sandwiches alongside Constellation Burger and Don Ricardo’s Taqueria, plus Italian dishes from Speaks Pasta and health-conscious options from Strawberry Fields.
This massive project was first announced in early 2020, about two years after the once-loved breakfast spot Dome Grill closed its doors. While the food hall broke ground in 2021, extensive renovations on the historic building and the construction of its new basement have taken several years to complete.
“Combining the historical architectural style of the original Woolworths building with modern elements, the building’s 5 levels will be filled with many opportunities for visual discoveries,” a press release says. “The food hall retained a large brick wall from the original building, adding historical charm.”
In addition to its variety of dining and drinking options, Central Park will also boast a boutique curated by Hi Hospitality founder Natalia Levey’s daughter, that will sell a variety of lifestyle items while paying homage to the building’s history as a Woolworth’s store.
Head to @CentralParkFoodHall on Facebook or @centralparkstpete on Instagram for the latest news on St. Pete’s new food hall and event space, slated to open later this year.
Location Details
Follow us: Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
