Florida Construction News staff writer
Construction is underway on the first phase of Azalea Cay, a planned 1,000-unit apartment community on a former Raytheon property in west St. Petersburg.
Tampa-based Metro Development Group and St. Petersburg-based Porter Development broke ground on the project at 1501 72nd St. N. on Sept. 28.
The $109.8 million first phase will include 341 apartments, including 102 income-restricted affordable and workforce units. The remaining 239 apartments will be market-rate.
The first phase will include three buildings, along with a clubhouse, fitness centre, yoga room, game room, swimming pool and pet spa.
ARC3 Architecture, a Tampa-based firm, is the architect for the project. The firm was also identified as architect for the development when it was previously known as Azalea Gateway.
Azalea Cay is planned as a three-phase development on the 29-acre former Raytheon site, with about 1,000 apartments planned when fully built out.
The property was acquired by Porter Development in 2021 for $10.5 million. An earlier proposal called for a sports and recreation complex before the plans shifted to residential development.
The project is receiving $11.25 million in public funding, including $6 million from the City of St. Petersburg and $5.25 million from Pinellas County.
Azalea Cay is one of 16 projects underway across Pinellas County that officials say will bring more than 2,300 affordable and workforce housing units to the community.
