The New St. Petersburg Pier

Absorbing the History - Projecting the Future
Prospect Pier celebrates our unique geography, culture and history as a subtropical, waterfront city. In a reinvented Pyramid that looks to the future, it builds upon the Pier’s assets – a strong form floating over the water. Our vision is a journey that begins downtown, passes through a vibrant park and becomes a magical stroll over water before ascending through active, public spaces culminating in breathtaking views of city, sea and sky, high over Tampa Bay.


Since 1973 the Inverted Pyramid has been the symbol of St. Petersburg’s enduring relationship with its waterfront. It was a statement of visionary architecture that explored the possibilities of the technology of its time. Functionally the unique shape offered shade below while placing the most important programmatic areas on top providing spectacular views of Tampa Bay and the city skyline. Still today, when seen from land, the Pyramid is a landmark on the horizon. The Pyramid is an unquestionable part of St. Pete as a memory and experience and has been the setting for many memories of the city’s inhabitants.

Functionally, the rejuvenated Pier will host a wide range of activities for all St. Pete’s generations. Prospect Pier will become part of the continuous evolving history of the city and its relationship with the bay. Visually, our design distills the pyramid into its most pure and timeless shape. The Pyramid physically and symbolically connects three public spaces representing city, sea and sky.

From the city’s downtown heart, visitors can walk, bike, drive or take a trolley to the Uplands. An Entry Plaza at the east end of 2nd Avenue North begins the Pier experience. Over the first 400 feet, the new bridge rises up four feet with a terraced lawn to the south and a terraced beach to the north. The new bridge is less than half the width of the existing thereby enhancing the over the water experience and is populated with benches, planters and shade structures making it a comfortable, beautiful stroll. Access to the Pyramid is also available via trolleys that would run each day and connect to the city core and valet service for special events.

The new pier head is significantly smaller than the existing but actually has more space for activities. A series of stepped, landscaped terraces surround the Pyramid providing access to the new second floor lobby as well as hosting spontaneous gatherings and programmed activities. Alternate first floor entries with direct elevator access are located on the north and south sides of the building and the entire area is supported by several small retail spaces.

The public path will extend up through the building via a grand naturally ventilated stairway that leads to the roof. A large, landscaped roof terrace slopes to provide dramatic views back to the city. From the terrace’s top level visitors will be rewarded with unprecedented 360 degree views of the bay area. Inside, the building’s leasable space has been reduced in size but made more flexible. The top floor will provide a large restaurant and banquet space and outdoor areas for informal dining, entertainment and contemplation.

Prospect Pier is functional by providing all of the elements required by the Pier Working Group as well as many of the recommended elements. It is easily permittable due to its reduced footprint and projected elevations. And it is practical by being on budget and by reducing the amount of air-conditioned area within the building, yet still providing over 31,000 square feet of leasable area. It engages both locals and tourists through its variety of new public spaces. But above all Prospect Pier has enhanced the legacy of the Inverted Pyramid and refined it into pure, iconic form that will be an enduring symbol for St. Petersburg.