New St. Pete building offers 75 low-cost senior apartments

A former parking lot near Historic Kenwood now holds 75 affordable apartments for seniors. The five-story building at 3295 Burlington Avenue North officially opened during a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Wednesday. Burlington Post II is the second phase of a development that began with an 86-unit building in 2018. That first building is currently 97% occupied.

The new construction cost $30.4 million to complete. Every unit in the building is income restricted. The property must remain affordable for at least 50 years. Rents range from $1,206 to $1,958 per month. The apartments are one or two bedrooms and measure between 740 and slightly more than 1,000 square feet. Each unit includes vinyl flooring, stainless steel appliances, walk-in closets, and washer and dryer hookups.

Income limits are tied to the area median income. Five apartments are reserved for households earning at or below 22% of the median. Twelve units are for those earning at or below 30%, and 34 are for those at or below 60%. Another 12 are set aside for households at or below 70% of the median, and the final 12 are for those at or below 80%. For the 80% tier, the 2026 income limit is $64,250 for a single person or $82,600 for a three-person household.

Tabari Lewis, community manager for Royal American Management, said many residents found the building through word of mouth or city housing services. Rising rents elsewhere made their previous homes difficult to afford. Lewis noted that the building began accepting residents in August. By the time of the ribbon-cutting, 56 people had moved in.

St. Petersburg City Council member Lisset Hanewicz spoke at the opening event. She said the new housing gives seniors stability, peace of mind, and independence. The development was built by Green Mills Group, a company based in Fort Lauderdale. Construction on the project began in 2024.

Residents have access to a fitness center, library, business center, game room, and 24-hour laundry facilities. Outdoor amenities include a garden, cooking station, and fire pits. The site also features a parking garage, bike storage, and on-site management.

Public funds helped cover the rising construction costs after the pandemic. The City of St. Petersburg provided $5.83 million through federal and local sources. Pinellas County contributed $3.75 million. The Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County issued $16 million in short-term bonds. The financing package also included about $12 million in low-income housing tax credit equity. Green Mills is now planning another affordable project called Heritage Grove at 951 22nd Street South. That development is expected to start in early 2027.