Architectural Narrative

The Central is a transformative, mixed-use real estate development by Ellison Development, designed to redefine the business and lifestyle experience in St. Petersburg’s EDGE District.

This extensive development acts as a hub for business, culture, and hospitality. At its core is Halcyon, which serves as the city’s first trophy office tower in decades, offering premier office space for top-tier companies. The ground floor of the tower will feature retail spaces, providing convenient shopping and dining options for tenants and visitors.

The project also includes a lifestyle hotel, a sixteen-story Autograph Collection Hotel, intended to become the “living room” of the district. The hotel boasts luxury accommodations, a flagship signature restaurant, a theater, a ballroom, and a conference space, along with a rooftop pool for high-end amenities.

Furthermore, the development addresses community needs by including a dedicated seven-story building for workforce housing, providing dozens of apartment units for residents earning up to a certain percentage of the area’s median income. A large, nearly complete parking garage has also been created to alleviate the district’s parking demand. A public plaza is planned at the east end of the project to serve as a community gathering space with cafes and shops.

Visual Narrative

Located in St. Petersburg’s vibrant EDGE District, “The Central” weaves a visual narrative of modern connectivity and historical reverence.

The project’s skyline is defined by Halcyon, a 12-story trophy office tower characterized by a sleek, glass-dominant façade. Its exterior is texturized by private balconies on every floor, creating a rhythmic, open aesthetic that promotes transparency and frames dramatic views of the downtown waterfront.

Anchoring the development is a 15-story Autograph Collection Hotel, designed as the district’s “living room” with sophisticated, urban-lifestyle interiors that blend luxury with approachability. Together, the spaces create a seamless flow between work, leisure, and community memory.