These places are in preservation limbo, as they are currently standing but may loose that privilege in the coming months – maybe even weeks.

SPP is working hard to help save them, and would be thrilled to have your help.  If you can send e-mails, write letters, or spare a few hours and care about historical preservation please contact us.  Thank you!

If you would like to see these places preserved, please contact your elected officials.

And if you know of a building, structure, or place threatened by demolition or otherwise in need of preservation assistance, please contact us.

Featured on our home page: the Union Trust Company building, also known as the Ninth Street Bank and Trust (far right) photo Courtesy of the city of St. Petersburg

St. Pete's most endangered buildings

The Creative Loafing article "St. Pete's most endangered buildings?" was published in May 2008 and lists nine properties of historical interest.

4th Ave. NE Historic Landmarks (1910-1912)

Two local landmarks - both designated local landmarks in 1994 - are endangered by a proposed development for the 100 block of 4th Ave. NE.  The Henry-Bryan Home is located at 146 Fourth Avenue NE and is built in the Queen Anne Cottage style.  Bay Gables, now operating as the Chateau France restaurant, is located almost next door to the Henry-Bryan House, at 136 4th Avenue NE.  It is a Vernacular style home with Queen Anne and Colonial Revival elements.  The Henry-Bryan home is named after two early city contractors, Walter Henry and Hardy Bryan.  Henry built the First Congregational Church and the Carnegie Library.  Bryan worked on the Open Air Post Office and the Snell Arcade.  The site also includes a contributing structure to the Downtown National Historic District, the Morrison Hotel (Inn by the Bay).

The Liberty Group proposes to build a hotel on the site of these two landmarks, relocating the Henry-Bryan. Information about the feasibility of relocating Bay Gables is being developed, and if it is not feasible to relocate the developer proposes to demolish it.   These buildings are on the 4th Avenue-4th Street corridor, one of the most historic corridors in the downtown.  The 1905 Queen Anne Mayor Bert Blocker Home (Mansion by the Bay) is directly across the street and was previously approved by the City for relocation.

While SPP’s preference is to maintain these historic buildings on their present sites, we are in discussions with the developer about acceptable alternative sites for possible relocation and mitigation measures proportionate to the harm being done to the Downtown National Historic District.  The development as proposed to the city Development Review Commission in August 2008 did not include mitigation for the displacement and loss of historic resources, and SPP registered our objection.  The development nevertheless was approved, and the approval is now under appeal by SPP.  The developer subsequently proposed to the city Community Preservation Commission (CPC) to relocate the Henry-Bryan to 22nd Street South near the old Seaboard Train Station.  SPP opposed this location as having no historic association with the home and being inaccessible to public view. The CPC agreed with SPP and denied this proposed relocation site.

Blocker House (1901)

Now known as the Mansion By the Bay, this is a Queen Anne-style residence built by A.T. “Bert” Blocker in 1901.  Blocker was mayor from 1910 to 1911 and owner of the city’s largest livery stable that was located on 2nd Street South.  The building later was a Shrine Club. It subsequently was known as the International Club, then was transformed into a nursing home and finally housed a school of dance.

The building was in the news in 2000 and 2007.

Ninth Street Bank and Trust Company (1926)

The Ninth Street Bank and Trust Company building was constructed in 1926, at the end of the 20's boom era.  The building was designed by M. Leo Elliott, one of Tampa’s premier architects.  Elliot designed the bank building in the Classical Revival style, which also shows elements of the Beaux Arts style of architecture.  Several prominent St. Petersburg business and political leaders are associated with the development of the Ninth Street Bank, starting with John N. Brown, the first President of the bank, and St. Petersburg mayor during 1927-28. 

While the bank grew rapidly after opening, it was forced to close on June 12, 1930 as the economy collapsed and the nation sank into a depression.  The bank reopened two months later as the Union Trust Company and was the only bank operating in southern Pinellas County.  In 1950, Florida's first drive-in teller machine was installed on the east side of the property and named "Snorkel." 

The bank and building were closed in 1996.  A large residential project was proposed for the site in 2005 but plans did not move forward before the economy soured.  The building was designated as a local landmark in 1997.