World-Class Partnership Assembled to Deliver City-Defining Project Including: Related, Skanska, Greystar, Gilbane, Blue Sky Communities, Open Realty, Stadler Development

Blake Investment Partners, an institutional real estate investment and development firm focused on large-scale, master-planned real estate development and community-centered redevelopment initiatives, today announced the submission of a comprehensive proposal to redevelop the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District in downtown St. Petersburg.

Blake Investment Partners' proposal brings together local stewardship, national expertise, best-in-class partners, and the institutional capital to create a transformative development that honors the past, powers the present, and solidifies the future of St. Petersburg's Historic Gas Plant District.

The proposal offers the largest delivery of affordable and workforce housing in city history with more than 3,600 projected units delivered on and off-site over the duration of the project, while bringing together elite local architects and designers with the nation's leading contractors and developers to bring this ambitious undertaking to life.

Key public improvements contemplated include a 13-acre central park, featuring Museum Row as a cultural destination, with the Woodson African American Museum as its crown jewel. The concept respects the site's history and incorporates urban planning characteristics consistent with the city's waterfront district. The Historic Gas Plant site was once the heart of a thriving African American community; Blake Investment Partners is committed to respecting the site's legacy.

In a groundbreaking approach to community accountability, Blake Investment Partners has created The Historic Gas Plant Visionary Panel, a permanent advisory committee composed of leaders from ~20 organizations representing the heart of St. Petersburg. Blake has invited these experts to hold permanent seats at the table, providing ongoing guidance, feedback, and accountability throughout the development process.

“We are stewards first, investors second,” said T.W. Blake, Founder, Blake Investment Partners. “We're weaving together housing, culture, and commerce, with meaningful community accountability to create everlasting value for the city. The Historic Gas Plant District holds deep meaning and our vision represents a long-term commitment to the people of St. Petersburg."

The Blake Investment Partners bid encompasses:

Public Amenities & Culture:

• 13-acre central park – the largest new city park in 119 years – designed by WJ Architects
• New Woodson African American Museum
• New Museum of Public Art with Mark Aeling and Chad Mize as Co-Trustees
• Permanent collection by Gillie & Marc, internationally renowned public artists and animal conservationists
• Contemplated multi-modal transportation hub designed for light rail to Tampa International Airport
• Workforce training and the Small Business Success Center to be known as the "Collaboratorium"
• A multi-purpose indoor/outdoor event venue, the "Booker Creek Cultural Center"
• Potential St. Pete Surf Wave outdoor water facility

The Historic Gas Plant District development prioritizes:

• Economic Equity & Inclusion: Meaningful opportunities for historically underserved communities in construction, operations, and business ownership, informed by comprehensive disparity and structural racism studies.
• Community Ownership: The Community Investment Fund, a wealth-generating special purpose vehicle will allow the community to make a financial investment in the project, with funds to be matched by Blake Investment Partners.
• Workforce Development: Continuous job training, apprenticeships, and placement programs aligned with quality job creation on-site.
• Community Connection: Multi-modal transportation linking the site to surrounding neighborhoods and the regional network, with physical, economic, and emotional ties to south St. Petersburg.
• Place-Making: Conference facilities, higher education/research space, childcare, arts and culture venues, small business opportunities, and significant contiguous green space featuring Booker Creek and the Pinellas Trail.
• Sustainability & Innovation: Smart city technologies, environmental remediation, Florida-Friendly landscaping, and health equity strategies throughout.

“A project of this significance demands world-class execution,” added Cole Sones, Partner at Blake Investment Partners. “We've assembled a team that combines national-scale expertise with deep local knowledge, with partners like Related, Skanska, Gilbane, Blue Sky Communities, and Greystar, who share our commitment and have delivered landmark projects across the country. The investment in the Historic Gas Plant District will generate billions in economic impact, create thousands of jobs, and foster long-term prosperity for the entire region.”

“This is too big of a project for a ‘check-the-box’ process. We are creating a perpetual and iterative conversation with interest holders in this city,” said Jason Jensen, CEO of Wannemacher Jensen Architects.

The Blake proposal reinforces St. Petersburg as a city focused on art, with an HGP Museum Row where art, parks, and pedestrians intersect, a recipe that has thrived on Beach Drive. "We can let Art Basel have 14 days, but we want the spotlight to be on St. Pete for 50 of the 52 weeks a year when it comes to art," added Blake. As part of the initiative, Blake has personally committed to a public art center that will educate and incubate emerging artists while attracting collectors from around the world. The effort is co-chaired by local art leaders Chad Mize and Mark Aeling.

Blake Investment Partners has assembled a world-class team of national and local experts to support this project, including:

• Wannemacher Jensen Architects – architectural design
• Related Group – largest residential developer in the USA and Blake partner
• Blue Sky Communities – St. Pete’s prolific affordable housing developer
• Skanska – 7^th largest general contractor worldwide and known for its park and museum construction
• KAST Construction – most active general contractor in St. Pete known for its residential construction
• Gilbane – 7^th largest general contractor in USA – Horizontal Construction / Land Development
• Greystar Real Estate Partners, LLC – #1 developer and manager of apartments in the USA known for its real estate investment in new multifamily housing
• Zyscovich (now Stratus) – Global land planning and city/place design firm
• Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. – environmental and geotechnical engineering
• MODO – Construction project management
• Open Realty – Retail advisory
• Stadler Development – New office construction expert and development partner
• Stantec Consulting Services Inc. – Civil engineering
• Wade Trim, Inc. – Municipal infrastructure engineers
• Aligned Engineering – Engineering coordination and oversight
• Mccants Architecture – Local design firm
• Young DB Group – Community outreach
• CAN Consulting – Public relations
• Johnson Pope – Real estate law

Link to Historic Gas Plant site

Link to renderings courtesy Zyscovich and Wannemacher Jensen Architects.

Link to video about the Blake Investment Partners proposal.

About Blake Investment Partners

Blake Investment Partners is an institutional investment firm focused on transformative real estate development and community-centered redevelopment initiatives. The firm has been a steadfast partner in St. Petersburg's growth for 23 years. With more than 200 completed projects across the Southeast and a portfolio that demonstrates both scale and sophistication, Blake brings expertise in mixed-use development, community planning, and long-term value creation. The firm's patient approach to investment and commitment to stewardship distinguishes it as a developer that prioritizes lasting community benefit over short-term gains.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260203035606/en/