When Paradise Was Almost Detroit

St. Pete’s founding fathers, Peter Demens and John Williams, once stood on the corner of Central and Second to flip a coin. The winner would get to name the city, the loser his new hotel. Peter won and named our sunny paradise after his hometown in Russia, while John named the Hotel Detroit after...you guessed it. Standing since 1886, the building is one of the city’s oldest remaining structures and today overlooks the heart of downtown St. Pete’s nightlife, the 200 block.

“A living memory, one look inside the original Detroit Building reveals a style from an earlier era.” - Amber Racer, St. Pete Local

Roll Like a Local in St. Pete

Find a fresh and funky Florida vibe on Central Avenue, where old St. Pete mixes with new for an artsy and authentic local experience.

Please rotate your device.