Architect Michael Maltzan incorporates St. Pete trademark into iconic new Pier design

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On a recent trip to St. Pete, world-renowned architect and designer of the new St. Petersburg Pier Michael Maltzan couldn’t help but notice the hexagon shaped blocks that adorn many of the city’s sidewalks. Upon looking into the historical significance with local partner Wannemacher-Jensen Architects, the team was inspired to incorporate the iconic “hex” design into the structure’s 22,900 square-foot shaded promontory area.

The promontory area includes an 3,200 square foot restaurant, ice cream shop, souvenir shop, 2,100 square foot amphitheater with learning steps and access to viewing platforms.

Seen from the wide downtown sidewalks of 1st Avenue North to the more colorful options of the Historic Old Northeast, the Hex blocks were manufactured locally in St. Pete by Farmer Concrete Works from 1912 to 1961. According to city records, there are over 100 miles of hex block sidewalk throughout the city of St. Petersburg.

Peter Schorsch is the President of Extensive Enterprises and is the publisher of some of Florida’s most influential new media websites, including SaintPetersBlog.com, FloridaPolitics.com, ContextFlorida.com, and Sunburn, the morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. SaintPetersBlog has for three years running been ranked by the Washington Post as the best state-based blog in Florida. In addition to his publishing efforts, Peter is a political consultant to several of the state’s largest governmental affairs and public relations firms. Peter lives in St. Petersburg with his wife, Michelle, and their daughter, Ella.