From its history to its location, there are a variety of reasons that make Old Northeast one of the most desireable neighborhoods in St. Pete.
Ask someone what makes St. Pete special, and often times they’ll mention the city’s many eclectic neighborhoods. From Jungle Prada in West St. Pete to Coquina Key in the Southeast, every neighborhood has those unique qualities that make them stand out from the crowd, while instilling a sense of pride with residents.
Old Northeast, a large, historic area bordering Downtown St. Pete, is certainly one of these neighborhoods. It spans 25 blocks north to south and about half that east to west – stretching from 4th Street to North Shore Drive on the coast of Tampa Bay.
Old Northeast was established over 100 years ago as St. Pete’s first organized neighborhood. Its establishment marked a period of true growth for the city, as farmers began to establish homesteads there and St. Pete as we know it began to take shape. After experiencing a downturn in residential development during the Great Depression, things picked up again afterwards – until the neighborhood was built out in the 1950s. Learn more about Old Northeast’s history here.
Old Northeast stands out with its unique, historical visual appeal; in fact, the City of St. Petersburg has actually designated it an architecturally controlled area. The first thing that you’ll notice is the neighborhood’s trademark brick-lined streets, which are often accompanied with hexblock sidewalks. As for home design, you’ll see a few different styles represented, including Bungalow style, Craftsman, Colonial Revival, and Williamsburg style. But no matter the style, practically all homes have maintained their original historical design qualities.
The preservation of these qualities remains an important issue for the neighborhood’s organizing body, the Historic Old Northeast Neighborhood Association (HONNA). In fact, all homeowners must receive special approval being going forward with any exterior alterations. Old Northeast also has 10 local landmarks and is home to Grenada Terrace, a Local Historic District designated in 1988.
Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau shows a neighborhood population of 6,509 with a higher than average population density. The median age of individuals is 52, with an average individual income of $75,532. There are a total of 3,398 households and 61 homes currently for sale on Zillow. In September 2024, home sale values were up 0.3% compared to the same time period last year, with a median sale price of $985,000.
Old Northeast is a tight-nit community that provides residents with a sense of belonging. Overhanging trees line many of the streets, creating natural canopies that make getting outdoors and mingling with neighbors even more pleasurable. The neighborhood’s many events, some organized by HONNA and some more informal, takes this even further.
Old Northeast’s location within the city limits only adds to its appeal. For many residents, especially those on the southern end of the neighborhood, it’s within walking distance to downtown St. Pete – where you’ll find a large variety of restaurants, bars, stores, museums, and more. This is a nice advantage particularly during busier times when parking can be very difficult to find. The Grand Central District and Tropicana Field (home to the MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays) can also be driven to in around 5 minutes.
The neighborhood also offers a few options for parks, including Crisp Park off of Poplar Street, Coffee Pot Park off of 1st Street, and the popular waterfront North Shore Park closer to downtown. As for beaches, Pinellas County’s southern gulf beaches aren’t too far away – with Treasure Island being about a 25 minute drive and St. Pete Beach & Madeira Beach about 30 minutes away. Two of the city’s more popular north-south thoroughfares, 4th Street and !-275, can also be reached in just minutes.
In conclusion, Old Northeast is perhaps the most well-known neighborhood in St. Pete, and for good reason. It’s a great representation of the area’s architectural diversity and offers residents a safe, beautiful, comfortable, and easily accessible living option while maintaining uniqueness.
