Historic Kenwood in St. Petersburg traces its origins to 1912 when development first began in the area. This eclectic neighborhood is full of chicly-updated 1920’s & 30’s bungalows providing an artsy feel. Brick streets lined with trees, lots of green space, and sidewalks make it one of the most sought after places to live in St Petersburg. Their Bungalow Fest every November is a very popular event for residents and non-residents alike. This neighborhood “open house” is a great opportunity to tour some of the beautiful homes in the area.
Fun Facts
- 2,203 Historic Buildings
- 375-Acre Residential Community (That’s 75 acres larger than Epcot Studios)
- 50 Feet Above Sea Level
- First Development Began in 1912 by Philadelphian Charles Hall who owned 160 acres
What makes Historic Kenwood such a desired place to live in St. Pete?
It is adjacent to the Grand Central District which spans the southern border of Historic Kenwood and comprises over 350 locally owned and operated independent businesses! Continued development has ushered in a host of tasty restaurants, bars, and (perhaps, most importantly) coffee shops.
One of our go-to spots is Bula Kava and Coffee on the Northern edge of Kenwood at 2500 5th Ave N., and we can’t get enough of Bandit Coffee (especially with their new food offerings) at 2552 Central. Both are dynamite places to stop and grab a local brew.
For the dog lovers (of whom there are many in Kenwood!) be sure to check out Dog Bar. This is one of the coolest places in St. Pete, even if you don’t have a furbaby and just go for a good excuse to pet others’ puppies.
Another wonderful element of the community is its robust arts scene. Art is a big deal throughout Historic Kenwood, as it is self-titled the “Neighborhood of the Arts.” The residents of the community come together and host a variety of fundraising events like Pinot in the Park, Dining for Art, and Bungalow Fest, all with a focus of funding the beautification of the community. Since launching these programs they have beautified various benches, finials, and banners. Additionally, the neighborhood has been designated as an “Artist Enclave”. Over 50 participating artists that live in the district are permitted to teach classes and sell art out of their homes.
Nestled into the neighborhood is Seminole Park. It’s a delightful place to enjoy the outdoors. The park offers a swath of green space, a playground for the kids, and a covered pavilion.
The Historic Kenwood Neighborhood Association is by far one of the most active community organizations in Tampa Bay. This organization was formed 30 years ago and is responsible for shifting a community that was run down, subject to vandalism, and 70%+ rental rate. Thanks to the hard work of the Association, Historic Kenwood has blossomed into a beautiful, thriving community with actively-engaged residents who epitomize “pride of ownership”.
It’s no wonder that property values have been steadily increasing in this neighborhood, outpacing some other areas in Pinellas County. The convenience to Downtown St. Pete and everything mentioned here has been driving sales for the last several years.
This community is bordered by 9th Avenue North, 1st Avenue North, 19th Street North (adjacent to I-275) and 34th Street North. Around 50% of the homes are bungalow-style properties, and you can see below there is not much home inventory in our current housing market.
