Did you know some of St. Petersburg’s most historical landmarks are less than a mile away from The Birchwood? The vibrant architectural history includes an open-air post office, an arcade with Spanish mosaic tiling, and the city’s first YMCA building. Take a walk and enjoy the history of St. Pete.
First Block. Courtesy of St. Petersburg Museum of History.
The First Block
The First Block, a group of buildings about five blocks from The Birchwood (Central and 1st Ave), is a mark of the beginning of St. Petersburg. Created in 1888, this block was built with the coming Orange Belt Railroad, which allowed a sustainable trade of fruits and vegetables and welcomed many eager travelers.
The Detroit Hotel, named after St. Petersburg’s co-founder’s hometown Detroit, is the longest-standing building in the block. Now made up of condominiums, a restaurant, and a market, this architecture still stands during its continual renovation.
Historic Open Air Post Office. Courtesy of St. Petersburg Museum of History.
St. Petersburg Open Air Post Office
“The Nation’s First Open Air Post Office Corner Stone”. Laid on October 12, 1916. Completed and Dedicated on September 27, 1917.”
This marks the first open air post office where people could receive their mail in the open-air walking right down the street in 1917.
Now, outgrowing its original open-air location, the architecture still stands today displaying terracotta ornaments, marble columns, and a roof covered in Spanish tiles.
Photo by Harold Bubil, 2018
The Snell Arcade
Standing on the corner of 4th St and Central Ave, the Snell Arcade catches the eyes of many St. Pete visitors and residents alike. Constructed in 1928 by C. Perry Snell, a former pharmacist turned real estate mogul, the Snell Arcade is a mixture of architectural styles.
Containing elements of Italian, baroque, classical and gothic architecture, this building housed a shoemaker, beauty parlors, a cigar store, and a rooftop garden in the 1920s.
Today, the Snell Arcade is a marvel in preservation and restoration. The Snell Arcade keeps the integrity of the beautiful indoor mosaic tiling and Spanish artwork and currently features shops, offices, and converted condominiums above.
YMCA building
Built in 1925, the YMCA building became one of St. Petersburg’s first community projects that received more than $550,000 in donations. About 10 blocks from The Birchwood, on the cross street of 2nd Avenue South and 5th Street, the YMCA included a gymnasium with a running track, club rooms, a cafeteria, and a large swimming pool which you can still witness through the window on the 2nd Avenue sidewalk.
Lantern Lane Lounge
Did you know The Birchwood was once Lantern Lane Apartments? Built-in 1924, owned by a woman named Mary Purnell and constructed by Architect George Feltham, The Lantern Lane Apartments were the only apartments overlooking Tampa Bay. To keep the integrity of the old architecture, all exterior walls and facades were historically preserved.
In honor of our building’s history, we named our hotel lounge cocktail spot after the building before us – Lantern Lane Lounge. Come by for a timeless cocktail selection surrounded by original architecture, such as the original Lantern Lane crystal doorknobs lining the walls.
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