Source: Florida DBPR, milestone inspections and SIRS. Last verified Oct 19, 2026
I'm Troy Nowak, Broker of Mangrove Bay Realty (BK3436609). Below are 10 downtown St. Petersburg apartment and condo towers, the rents and fees they listed on October 19, 2026, and how I run rent vs. buy. Seven are rental towers with one landlord. Three are condo towers where you buy the unit.
How I run rent vs. buy, short version:
- Add every required fee, parking and utilities to the rent.
- Get the real HOA figure from the condo's current budget.
- Read the SIRS and milestone reports before you offer.
- Be honest about how many years you'll stay.
The full version is further down.
Last updated October 21, 2026. Prices change weekly, so treat every number below as a dated snapshot and check the building's own site before you tour.
Should you rent or buy in downtown St. Petersburg?
Rent if you want flexibility and one predictable monthly bill. Buy if you will stay put, can carry HOA dues on top of the mortgage, and the building's milestone inspection and reserve study come back clean. The table shows where each path puts the cost and the risk.
| Who pays | Rent / Buy |
|---|---|
| Property tax | In the rent / You (homestead can cut up to $50,000) |
| Big repairs | Landlord / You, via dues or assessments |
| Rental rules | Your lease / The condo declaration |
| Leaving | Lease-break terms / Sell and pay closing costs |
The lists below add the numbers.
Monthly payment
- Renting: Rent. Camden Central listed "starting at $2,179" and Camden Pier District "starting at $2,899" on October 19, 2026
- Buying: Mortgage principal and interest: about $692 a month per $100,000 borrowed at the 7.40% 30-year average (Freddie Mac, week of October 15, 2026)
Required add-ons
- Renting: Building fees. Ascent lists $75 internet, $21 package service, $7 pest control and $6.50 utility billing each month, plus $100 per vehicle for covered parking
- Buying: HOA dues, which carry the master insurance policy and the reserves the building's SIRS calls for
Up-front cash
- Renting: Application and move-in fees. Windsor Central Arts lists a $50 application fee per applicant, a $400 application deposit and a $300 administrative fee
- Buying: Florida documentary stamp tax: 70 cents per $100 on the deed and 35 cents per $100 on a recorded mortgage, plus lender and title costs
Property tax
- Renting: Built into the rent
- Buying: Your bill. A permanent residence can get a homestead exemption of up to $50,000 off taxable value
Big building repairs
- Renting: The landlord's problem
- Buying: Yours, through dues or special assessments. Condo buildings three or more habitable stories tall need milestone inspections and a structural integrity reserve study (SIRS)
Rental rules
- Renting: Your lease
- Buying: The declaration. A later amendment limiting rentals binds only owners who consent and owners who buy after it passes (F.S. 718.110(13))
Leaving
- Renting: Lease-break terms
- Buying: Selling: a listing, a closing, and closing costs
Sources for every figure are listed at the bottom with the date I checked them.
What do downtown St. Pete apartments cost to rent right now?
Among the buildings I checked on October 19, 2026, listed rents started at $2,179 a month and reached $8,585 for a three-bedroom in the newest tower. Those are list prices from the buildings and local reporting, not signed leases, and "starting at" usually means the smallest plan on a low floor.
| Building or benchmark | What was listed (source) |
|---|---|
| Camden Central, 855 Central Ave | Starting at $2,179 (studio to 3 bedrooms) (camdenliving.com, checked October 19, 2026) |
| Camden Pier District, 330 3rd St S | Starting at $2,899 (camdenliving.com, checked October 19, 2026) |
| 3rd & 3rd, 235 3rd St S (pre-leasing) | 1 bedroom $2,730 to $3,075; 2 bedroom from $4,570; 3 bedroom from $8,585 (St. Pete Rising pre-leasing report, 2026) |
| HUD Small Area Fair Market Rent, ZIP 33701 | Efficiency $1,740; 1 bedroom $1,850; 2 bedroom $2,160; 3 bedroom $2,760 (HUD FY2026 Small Area FMRs, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater MSA) |
| HUD Small Area Fair Market Rent, ZIP 33705 (EDGE side, includes VIV) | Efficiency $1,630; 1 bedroom $1,730; 2 bedroom $2,020; 3 bedroom $2,580 (HUD FY2026 Small Area FMRs) |
HUD sets these Fair Market Rents by ZIP code to run its Housing Choice Voucher program. They're not a high-end number. I include them because the gap between HUD's 33701 one-bedroom figure and a new tower's list price is roughly what you pay for a new tower's amenities and address.
What fees sit on top of the rent?
The towers I checked add required monthly fees and leave utilities to you, so the number on the floor-plan page is rarely what leaves your account. Ask for the full fee sheet before you apply. The big operators in these towers post them online, and they add up fast.
Two real examples, both from the buildings' own sites on October 19, 2026:
- Ascent St. Petersburg (Greystar): internet $75, package service $21, pest control $7 and utility billing $6.50 each month. Covered parking is $100 per vehicle a month. Electric, water/sewer and trash are billed by use. Renters liability insurance is required and priced separately.
- Windsor Central Arts: community Wi-Fi $65 a month. At application: $50 per applicant and a $400 application deposit. At move-in: a $300 administrative fee and $500 per pet. The site says the security deposit is $0 with approved credit.
| Fee (Oct 19, 2026) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ascent internet | $75 a month |
| Ascent package, pest, billing | $34.50 a month |
| Ascent covered parking | $100 a month per car |
| Windsor Wi-Fi | $65 a month |
| Windsor application | $50 each + $400 deposit |
| Windsor move-in | $300 admin + $500 per pet |
Source: each building's own fee page, linked below.
Add those to the base rent before you compare a tower to a condo payment. Parking alone can change the math if you have two cars.
The 10 downtown St. Pete buildings to compare
Seven are rental towers with one landlord. Three are condo towers where you buy, or rent from an individual owner if the declaration allows it. Facts come from each building's site or from St. Pete Rising's project reporting, linked in each entry.
| Building | Type and address |
|---|---|
| 400 Central | Condo, 465 Central Ave (sales) |
| Camden Central | Rental, 855 Central Ave |
| Ascent St. Pete | Rental, 225 1st Ave N |
| Arte St. Pete | Rental, 1661 Central Ave |
| VIV | Rental, 1000 1st Ave N |
| Camden Pier District | Rental, 330 3rd St S |
| Windsor Central Arts | Rental, 151 7th St S |
| 3rd & 3rd | Rental (new), 235 3rd St S |
| ONE St. Petersburg | Condo, 100 1st Ave N |
| Saltaire | Condo, 300 1st St S |
Here's the same list with listed prices, years and amenities side by side.
1. The Residences at 400 Central
Type: condo tower (buy, or rent from an owner)
The developer describes 400 Central as a 46-story, full-service condominium tower rising 515 feet over Central Avenue, with one- to four-bedroom residences, penthouses on the 44th and 45th floors, and a 46th-floor glass-enclosed sky lounge. Washer and dryer are in every residence. Sales gallery: 465 Central Ave. (residences400central.com)
It's on this list because many people shopping downtown's top-end apartments mean this kind of tower. If you buy, price the HOA and reserve plan the same way you would in an older building.
2. Camden Central (formerly ICON Central)
Type: rental tower, 855 Central Ave, 33701
A 15-story, 368-unit high-rise with studios through three-bedroom plans, completed in 2019 and sold to Camden in 2021, per St. Pete Catalyst. Camden's site lists full-size washer and dryer in each home and "starting at $2,179" on October 19, 2026. (camdenliving.com)
3. Ascent St. Pete
Type: rental tower, 225 1st Ave N, 33701
A 36-story tower with 357 apartments plus a 172-key AC Hotel in the same building; apartment move-ins began in 2023 (St. Pete Rising). Greystar lists two elevated pool decks, a rooftop lounge and terrace, coworking space and a Walk Score of 99 (Walk Score's St. Petersburg page shows how the rest of the city compares). Its fee sheet is the one quoted above. (greystar.com)
4. Arte St. Pete
Type: rental, 1661 Central Ave, 33713
West of the downtown core on Central Avenue. The leasing site lists studios to three bedrooms, 9-foot ceilings, in-unit laundry, a coffee bar, coworking space, a 24/7 fitness center and rooftop entertainment areas. (avantiresidential.com)
5. VIV Apartments
Type: rental, 1000 1st Ave N, 33705
Two connected towers in the EDGE District with studio to three-bedroom floor plans and terraces, per VIV's site. If you work or eat on the west end of downtown, compare this one against the Central Avenue towers. (liveatviv.com)
What I'd do: Before I toured any of these towers, I'd ask the leasing office for the full monthly fee sheet and add it to the base rent. Then I'd put that number next to a real condo payment in the same blocks.
6. Camden Pier District
Type: rental tower, 330 3rd St S, 33701
Camden lists rooftop amenities (gym, sky lounge, pool, and a spa house with a dry sauna and whirlpool), a concierge, and a Publix next door. Listed "starting at $2,899" on October 19, 2026. (camdenliving.com)
7. Windsor Central Arts (formerly The Hermitage)
Type: rental, 151 7th St S, 33701
An eight-story, 348-unit community with studios, one- and two-bedroom homes, built in 2017 along the Pinellas Trail and renamed after a May 2025 sale (St. Pete Rising). Amenities include a rooftop pool and spa, a sky lounge and a pet spa. Its fee sheet is quoted above. (windsorcommunities.com)
8. 3rd and 3rd
Type: new rental tower, 235 3rd St S, 33701
A 33-story, 262-unit tower that was pre-leasing in fall 2026, with first residents expected in mid-December, per St. Pete Rising. Plans run from one bedroom to four-bedroom penthouses. A building in lease-up can offer move-in specials that older towers don't, so ask what's on the table the week you tour. (St. Pete Rising)
9. ONE St. Petersburg
Type: condo tower, 100 1st Ave N
A 41-story, 253-unit condo tower completed in 2019, per St. Pete Rising's project page. Buying here means reading the association's budget, reserve study and leasing rules like any other tower. (St. Pete Rising)
10. Saltaire
Type: condo tower, 300 1st St S
A 35-story, 408-foot tower with 192 condominium residences, completed in 2023 per the developer, Kolter Urban. Newer buildings sit further from the 30-year milestone inspection, but they still carry a reserve study and an insurance renewal every year. (kolterurban.com)
What changes when you buy a downtown condo instead?
You take on the building.
In Florida, condo buildings three or more habitable stories tall need a milestone inspection at 30 years and every 10 years after (25 years if the local building department requires it), and associations need a structural integrity reserve study at least every 10 years, per the state's Division of Condominiums.
| Florida condo rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Milestone inspection | At 30 years, then every 10 (25 if the city requires) |
| SIRS reserve study | At least every 10 years |
| SIRS deadline | Dec 31, 2025 (or Dec 31, 2026 with a milestone) |
| Phase 2 report | Repairs must start within 365 days |
Source: Florida DBPR, Division of Condominiums, checked Oct 19, 2026.
That is where special assessments come from.
What I pull before an offer on any downtown tower:
- The SIRS and the current budget. Associations that existed by July 1, 2022 had to finish a SIRS by December 31, 2025, or by December 31, 2026 if done alongside a milestone inspection. Budgets adopted on or after January 1, 2025 can't waive SIRS reserves.
- Milestone inspection status. Phase 1 is visual. A Phase 2 report means structural deterioration was found, and repairs have to start within 365 days of the report.
- The declaration's leasing section. Minimum lease length, how many times a year you can lease, and approval steps. Under F.S. 718.110(13), a new rental restriction applies to owners who vote for it and to anyone who buys after it passes, so a buyer is bound by amendments that a long-time owner might not be.
- Insurance and dues history. Master policy renewals show up in your dues. Ask what changed at the last renewal.
- Taxes after the sale. Don't budget from the seller's tax bill, because Florida reassesses property after a sale. If it's your permanent residence, file for homestead with the Pinellas County Property Appraiser.
The St. Petersburg FL homes for sale goes building by building on the ownership side.
Can you rent out a downtown condo you buy?
Sometimes. The condo's declaration decides first: minimum lease length, how often you can lease in a year, and whether the board approves tenants. Nightly or weekly guests also have to fit the City of St. Petersburg's zoning, which is a separate question from the association's rules.
| What to check | Where you find it |
|---|---|
| Minimum lease length | The condo declaration |
| Leases allowed per year | The condo declaration |
| Tenant approval | The declaration and board rules |
| Nightly or weekly stays | City of St. Petersburg zoning |
If income matters to the purchase, get the leasing rules in writing before you're under contract, and read the St. Pete and Gulfport short-term rental zoning guide before you count on any nightly revenue. For long-term holds, my investor guide covers the underwriting.
How I run rent vs. buy on one unit
This is the order I use with clients deciding between a lease and a purchase in the same few blocks:
- Write down the full monthly rent: base rent plus every required fee, parking and average utilities.
- Get a real HOA figure for the condo you'd buy, from the current budget, not the listing.
- Add principal and interest at today's rate (about $692 per $100,000 borrowed at 7.40%), property tax after any homestead exemption, and your HO-6 quote.
- Add up the cash to close: down payment, doc stamps, lender and title costs.
- Read the SIRS and milestone reports. If a big project is coming with no money set aside, price in the assessment or walk.
- Decide how many years you'll really stay. The shorter that is, the harder it is for buying to win.
| Amount borrowed | Principal and interest at 7.40% |
|---|---|
| $200,000 | about $1,384 a month |
| $300,000 | about $2,076 a month |
| $400,000 | about $2,768 a month |
Math: $692 per $100,000 at the Freddie Mac 30-year average, week of Oct 15, 2026. Before HOA dues, tax and insurance.
If you already own a home and you're selling it to fund the move, a home value estimate gives you a starting number for step 4.
Walkability is half of why people pick downtown. The Best St. Petersburg Neighborhoods compares downtown St. Pete with other areas. Still choosing a city? See Best St. Petersburg Neighborhoods and my is Clearwater, Florida a good place to live.
Downtown St. Pete apartment questions I get
How much is rent for a new apartment tower in downtown St. Petersburg?
On October 19, 2026, Camden Central listed "starting at $2,179" and Camden Pier District "starting at $2,899." St. Pete Rising reported 3rd & 3rd one-bedrooms at $2,730 to $3,075 and three-bedrooms from $8,585. Add required fees, parking and utilities to any of those.
Which downtown St. Pete apartment towers are newest?
3rd & 3rd at 235 3rd St S was pre-leasing in fall 2026 with first residents expected in mid-December. Ascent St. Pete began move-ins in 2023. On the condo side, Saltaire was completed in 2023, and 400 Central is the tallest of the 10 at 46 stories.
| Tower | Year (per sources below) |
|---|---|
| 3rd and 3rd | First residents expected Dec 2026 |
| Ascent St. Pete | Move-ins began 2023 |
| Saltaire | Completed 2023 |
| Camden Central | Completed 2019 |
| ONE St. Petersburg | Completed 2019 |
Are utilities included in downtown St. Pete apartment rent?
Usually not. Ascent, for example, bills electric, water/sewer and trash by use, and charges a required $75 a month for internet. Ask each building for its full fee sheet before you apply.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy a downtown St. Pete condo?
It depends on how long you stay and the building's HOA. At the 7.40% 30-year average for the week of October 15, 2026, principal and interest runs about $692 a month per $100,000 borrowed, before dues, tax and insurance. Short stays usually favor renting because closing costs take years to earn back.
Does the Florida homestead exemption apply to a downtown condo?
Yes, if the condo is your permanent residence. The Florida Department of Revenue says it can lower taxable value by as much as $50,000 and qualifies the home for the Save Our Homes assessment limit. Apply with the Pinellas County Property Appraiser.
Sources (last verified 2026-10-19)
- Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey: 30-year fixed 7.40%, 15-year fixed 6.71%, week of October 15, 2026. Last verified 2026-10-19.
- HUD FY2026 Small Area Fair Market Rents, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater MSA: ZIP 33701 and 33705 rows. Last verified 2026-10-19.
- Florida DBPR, milestone inspections and SIRS. Last verified 2026-10-19.
- Florida Statutes 718.110 (2025), subsection (13) on rental amendments. Last verified 2026-10-19.
- Florida Department of Revenue, documentary stamp tax. Last verified 2026-10-19.
- Florida Department of Revenue, homestead exemption. Last verified 2026-10-19.
- Building sites: Camden Central, Camden Pier District, Ascent St. Petersburg, Windsor Central Arts fees, Arte St. Pete, VIV, The Residences at 400 Central. Last verified 2026-10-19.
- Project reporting: St. Pete Rising on Ascent, Windsor Central Arts, 3rd & 3rd and ONE St. Petersburg; St. Pete Catalyst on Camden Central; Kolter Urban on Saltaire. Last verified 2026-10-19.
This is general information, not legal, tax or lending advice. Rents, fees and rates change. Confirm them with the building, your lender and the association before you sign anything.
Questions about a specific building? Call or text (727) 404-5530 or email troynowakrealty@gmail.com.