The New St. Petersburg Pier

“Discover Bay Life” respects the past and looks to the future by transforming the upland park and pier into a new destination for St. Petersburg. Just as life on the Bay continually transforms, so does life at “The Pier”. Three destinations - Bay Life Park, the Pier, and the Marine Discovery Center - become one unique destination for locals and visitors to discover and enjoy year around.


VOA’s design solution transforms the St. Petersburg Pier into a new public destination combining art, cultural history, and Marine education showcasing St. Petersburg’s multi-dimensional community for resident and visitor alike. Bay Life Park is a superb vantage point from which to be fully alive in the moment connecting with the arts, culture, and recreation at America’s best waterfront park. The Pier becomes a park over water to fish, shop, eat, play and enjoy the bay connecting to other museums, retail, and dining venues around St. Petersburg’s downtown. The Marine Discovery Center is the definitive spatial point repurposing the legacy of the existing inverted pyramid to the clear, accessible, sculptural form with the transformable art of Chuck Hoberman. The Discover Bay Life includes the 10 Key Elements identified by the Pier Working Group and to further define and brand the Pier as Florida’s premier waterfront destination:

1. Observation and viewing areas exist along the 75,136 square foot Pier and at the 6,000 square foot upper level of the Marine Discovery Center.
2. Dining options include a 4,000 square foot restaurant in Bay Life Park, with ten 10’ x 20’ lease spaces for food trucks in Bay Life Park and on the Pier itself. 6,000 square feet of combined indoor and outdoor space for rental is available at the top level of the Marine Discovery Center with a catering kitchen for food service at the pier level offering additional opportunity for multiple events with incredible views and a changing panorama of the Bay and City.
3. Cycling and walking paths totaling 2,000 feet along the perimeter of Bay Life Park give opportunities for outdoor recreation to the City.
4. Transportation is provided by the Pier Trolley, which will service the length of the Pier.
5. Fishing is available along the 2,500 lineal feet of over-water fishing edge, with a special 1,000 square foot feature at the end of the Pier which descends to a few feet above the water.
6. Transient boat docking will be added in a separate program by the City of St. Petersburg.
7. Environmental education at the Marine Discovery Center is provided by a series of 18 permanent interpretive exhibits throughout the various levels of the 10,000 square foot structure.
8. Event space at the top of the Marine Discovery Center is available for catered formal functions with 6,000 square feet of combined indoor and outdoor venues available for rental. A new outdoor concert venue at Bay Life Park is an opportunity for special events, festivals, and on-going community entertainment.
9. Bike and watercraft rental at the Beach will include kayak, paddleboard, bicycle, and other recreational vehicles from a new pavilion offering multiple concession opportunities.
10. Two clusters of six 10’ x 10’ retail kiosks will be provided along the length of the pier with another four kiosks at the Marine Discovery Center offering multiple opportunities for revenue, concession operations, and fulfilling the needs of visitors and residents alike.

Discover Bay Life respects the past and looks to the future by transforming the upland park and pier into a new destination for St. Petersburg. Just as life on the Bay continually transforms, so does life at The Pier. Discover Bay Life invites you to come alive and connect with the wonder of arts, culture, education, and recreation as America’s premier waterfront destination in Florida for local residents and visitors alike.