News Summary
Chef Geoffrey Zakarian is set to launch a new restaurant at The Central in St. Petersburg’s EDGE District. This flagship venue will offer a unique dining experience, combining local flavors with Zakarian’s culinary expertise. The Central Hotel, featuring 168 rooms, is part of a large development that includes office space and hospitality services. Anticipated to enhance the city’s dining scene, construction on the hotel is expected to begin by early 2026, positioning St. Petersburg as a culinary destination.
St. Petersburg is set to welcome a new culinary hotspot as internationally recognized chef and TV personality Geoffrey Zakarian announces plans to open a new restaurant at The Central, a mixed-use development in the city’s EDGE District. This new flagship restaurant will be housed within the Central Hotel, located at 1301 Central Avenue.
Zakarian brings over 25 years of experience in modern American cuisine, having led some of the nation’s top kitchens and frequently appearing on various cooking shows. This venture marks a significant addition to the dining landscape of St. Petersburg, highlighting the city’s potential as a premier food destination.
The Central Hotel will feature 168 rooms and is part of a larger 2.1-acre development that is also set to include the Halcyon office tower. Halcyon will consist of 125,000 square feet of Class A office space, with construction on the 11-story building expected to begin later this year. This office space has already attracted attention, as ARK Invest announced its relocation to the Halcyon office building in July.
Though the name and specific culinary details of Zakarian’s new restaurant remain undisclosed, he has expressed enthusiasm about creating a dining experience that embodies the energy and creativity inherent to St. Petersburg. The forthcoming restaurant aims to reflect the unique story of the city and will blend local flavors with Zakarian’s sophisticated culinary approach.
Zakarian Hospitality, Zakarian’s company, will not only manage the restaurant but will also oversee all food, beverage, and hospitality services for Halcyon and the hotel itself. This includes operations for a rooftop pool bar, a jazz lounge, and catering services for both hotel guests and office tenants, indicating a comprehensive approach to dining and hospitality in the development.
St. Petersburg’s Mayor, Ken Welch, has praised the project, noting that the restaurant’s establishment will elevate the city’s status as a destination for quality dining options. The Central project is being spearheaded by Ellison Development in collaboration with J Square Developers, DDA Development, and Backstreets Capital. Additionally, Tim Clemmons of Place Architecture, based in St. Petersburg, is responsible for the design of the development.
The project has garnered favorable feedback from various city officials, who believe that Zakarian’s involvement will represent a defining moment for the vision of The Central. Construction on the Central Hotel is anticipated to commence by early 2026.
As part of the larger development plan, there is also an inclusion of a 42-unit workforce housing component expected in a future phase. Recent developments include the opening of a 540-space public parking garage on the site, further enhancing access to the area.
Zakarian’s decision to return to the restaurant scene after nearly ten years underscores a dedicated commitment to enhancing the quality and variety of dining experiences available in St. Petersburg. The forthcoming restaurant promises to draw both locals and visitors, contributing to a vibrant culinary community in the region.
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Additional Resources
- St. Peterising: 2025 Downtown Development Guide
- Fox 13 News: St. Petersburg Planning Efforts
- St. Pete Catalyst: Master Planning for St. Pete District
- Florida Politics: St. Pete Action Plan for Storm Recovery
- Fox 13 News: St. Petersburg’s Economic Future
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
