Take A Virtual Tour Of The New St. Pete Pier

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Residents eagerly awaiting the completion of the $87 million St. Pete Pier this spring can slake their curiosity in the meantime by taking an animated virtual tour of St. Petersburg's newest shopping and entertainment venue.

The virtual tour gives residents a preview of various features of the St. Pete Pier including the Pavilion with outdoor seating, a series of water features and expansive lawn; the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center and Wet Classroom; walkways through coastal thicket landscaping; the ultra-modern steel Event Plaza housinng the Driftwood Cafe and Pier Teaki rooftop bar; and the Fishing Deck and Bait Shop.

In the making for five years, the 26-acre St. Pete Pier District is 3,065 feet long. It will also include Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, a children's play area, a marketplace, a lawn bowl and tilted lawn, a walking waterfront, courtesy boat docks and a tram running the length of the Pier.

Public art at the Pier will include artist Janet Echelman’s massive billowing net sculpture. The $2.8 million outdoor sculpture will be the main feature of what will become a family park and gardens.Installation is set to begin in January.

St. Petersburg got its first look at “Bending Arc” on Thursday when cranes began raising the sculpture, which will be suspended from 65-foot pylons.

Also being installed at the Pier is the First Airline Monument commemorating St. Petersburg's place in history as home to the first regularly scheduled airline that embarked from the Central Yacht Basin and traveled to Tampa. The First Airline Monument will be located on the south side of the Pier Approach near Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille.

An origami-inspired pelican by California artist Nathan Mabry will greet visitors at the Entry Plaza. Titled “Myth (Red Pelican)," the abstract design was inspired by the geometry of the new Pier design and the symbol of the pelican (a symbol for kindness, generosity, friendship and love) as the mascot for St. Petersburg. The 120-inch-high sculpture will be made from fabricated aluminum plate metal.

"Myth" by Nathan Mabry

A mosaic by New York artist Xenobia Bailey will be installed on a wall adjacent to the Pelican parking lot. The work titled "Morning Stars" will consist of mosaic tiles in colorful concentric circles and repeating patterns.

"Morning Stars" by Xenobia Bailey

Finally, Nick Ervinck of Belgium will create a bronze sculpture for the Pier Head. Titled "Olnetopia," the piece is inspired by macro photographic images of splashing water.

"Olnetopia" by Nick Ervinck

The art is being funding through a combination of private donations and the city's Percentage for Art ordinance.

In December, the city announced the vendors selected for the Pier Marketplace, located near the Pier's entrance just off Bayshore Drive. The solar panel-covered promenade with 10 market-style tents and seven stalls will initially open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Vendors include:

• Lily Rose Jewelry: locally handmade jewelry
• Craft-Tee: custom t-shirts while you wait
• Planks: Locally made signs featuring area landmarks
• The Merchant: a local collective of St. Pete inspired souvenirs and handcrafted items
• One Community: a collective of various vendors
• Hey Mon Sauces: authentic Caribbean specialty sauces
• Sunshine City Arts: art collective of various handmade items
• Flamed Copper: heat-treated copper jewelry and accessories
• Hats at the Pier: specialty hats
• Flaming Pearl: tie-dyed custom printed apparel and accessories
• Kashien Chanterell: custom clothing, shoes, jewelry, handbags from Ghana
• Land of Gaia: wood art/ fashion/home dcor from around the world
• Goofy Faces: caricatures
• Ancient Herbal Care: organic, plant-based skincare products
• The Poppery: gourmet specialty popcorn
• McTavish's Cookie Shack/Highland Shortbread: locally made cookies, Scottish shortbread and scones
• Cashew Brittle: locally made homemade cashew brittle

These businesses will have short-term leases and may rotate during the year.

"These vendors will offer an exciting variety of local goods and services to the visitors of the St. Pete Pier and help to showcase what makes St. Pete so special," said St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman. "The Pier Marketplace will be as dynamic as the Pier District itself and reflect the entrepreneurial spirit of the Sunshine City."

In September, a shipment of marine-themed playground equipment, including a giant Kraken head, designed by Earthscape Play was delivered for the new play area at the Pier.

See related stories:

New Youth Ambassadors For St. Pete Pier Announced

St. Pete Council Gives Nod To Echelman Sculpture At Pier Approach

Artists Selected To Provide Public Art For St. Pete Pier

Find Out How To Become A Vendor At The St. Pete Pier

Doc Ford's Named 1st New Eatery At St. Pete Pier

St. Pete Pier District Wins Multiple Design Excellence Awards

City Council Approves $15 Million Proposal For St. Pete Pier

St. Pete Pier Groundbreaking Set