Catch a glimpse of Historic Kenwood’s unique charm and you’ll quickly find out why it’s one of St. Pete’s most iconic neighborhoods.
For a town tucked away on Florida’s Gulf Coast, St. Pete certainly boasts a high level of architectural diversity.
Often times, this diversity is spread out around and confined within the borders of the city’s many eclectic neighborhoods. From Jungle Prada in West St. Pete to Coquina Key in the Southeast, every neighborhood has those special qualities that make them stand out from the crowd, while instilling a sense of pride with residents.
Historic Kenwood, located just north of Central Avenue in the heart of St. Pete, is certainly one of these neighborhoods. Its rectangular shape stretches for 12 blocks east to west and 9 blocks north to south. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in charm and uniqueness.
Much like Venetian Isles to the east, the architecture of Historic Kenwood’s homes makes up a huge part of the neighborhood’s identity. Bungalows are the name of the game here, with original construction dating back to the 1920s and 1930 in many cases. Those in Historic Kenwood generally follow the “American Craftsman Bungalow” style, highlighted by low-pitched roof lines, overhanging eaves, decorative brackets, and a variety of exterior paint colors.
Bungalow architecture isn’t the only type you’ll find in the neighborhood, however. To a lesser extent, Mediterranean and Colonial Revival homes are also present, as they are throughout St. Pete. Historic Kenwood serves as a strong representation of the city’s architectural diversity.
According to the neighborhood page on niche.com, Historic Kenwood has a population of 3,897 with 55% of residents owning their homes. It offers a dense suburban feel, above average schools, and is home to many young professionals. With a medium home price of $383,884, it does offer affordable options compared to many other neighborhoods in St. Pete. Median household income is $81,273, and families with children make up 22% of the homes.
Historic Kenwood also boasts a neighborhood assocation that’s well known for the way it brings residents together. The association helped lead the neighborhood out of a steady decline from the 1950s-1980s, leading a revitalization in the 1990s. Several people began buying and restoring homes in the area, and the association was there to ensure that the neighborhood’s old-time charm was not disturbed. This led to Historic Kenwood being added to the National Register of Historic Places on 2003.
The association hosts regular events, including porch parties, garden workshops, wellness walks, and more. It also offers residents with a number of groups to join, like the Artist Enclave and Kenwood Kids. They keep residents up to date with active social media accounts and an e-newsletter.
Historic Kenwood’s location within the city limits only adds to its appeal. About as centrally located as you can get, the neighborhood lines the north end of Central Avenue about half way across the east-west bounds of St. Pete. This provides easy access to any point in the city, with approximately 15 minutes being the maximum drive you’ll need to take. Downtown St. Pete is just a few minutes away, as is Tropicana Field and the heavily commercialized 34th Street. Gulf beaches can be reached in roughly 10 minutes, and access to I-275, which provide quick access to Bradenton (south) and Tampa (north), is extremely close.
In conclusion, Historic Kenwood is one of the most well-known neighborhoods in St. Pete for many reasons – including affordability, history, accessibility, and uniquness. It’s an excellent reflection of the variety and personality you’ll see across the city limits.
