After nearly three years of planning, St. Pete Athletic Paddle & Social is officially preparing to open its doors.
The expansive 45,000 square foot sports, dining, and social destination will soft open this Thursday for members at 680 28th Street South inside The Factory, a 90,000 square foot arts and culture hub along the Pinellas Trail in the Warehouse Arts District. The public opening follows on Friday, December 19, with a full grand opening celebration scheduled for Saturday, January 10.
Founded by a seasoned group of local entrepreneurs, the club is led by Reuben Pressman, Jarrett Sabatini of Intermezzo and Bar Mezzo, Green Bench Brewing co owner Nathan Stonecipher, and Graham D’Amico of Major League Pickleball’s Florida Smash.
The investor group reflects the ambition behind the project and includes ARK Invest founder Cathie Wood, Neptune Flood executives Trevor Burgess and Jon Carlon, professional pickleball players Catherine Parenteau and Travis Rettenmaier, and former Women’s Tennis Association CEO Larry Scott.
St. Pete Athletic features 14 indoor pickleball courts, two padel courts, table tennis, billiards, a full service restaurant, coffee shop, three distinct bars, saunas, cold plunges, a gym, and an array of additional amenities. According to Pressman, the vision was to design a space that fits seamlessly into an entire day.
“You can play in the morning, work out, shower, sit in the sauna, grab lunch, take calls in the co working area, hit the courts again later, and relax with friends in the evening,” said Pressman. “We think of it as an urban country club.”
During an exclusive tour, Pressman emphasized the importance of the arrival experience.
“When you walk in, you immediately feel how alive the place is,” he said. “You see the bar, the courts, ping pong tables, lounge seating, all happening at once. We wanted that energy to hit you right away.”
Guests are welcomed by a concierge style front desk that assists with court reservations, food orders, and navigating the club. Behind it sits a pro shop featuring brands such as Lululemon, Vuori, and Adidas, along with St. Pete Athletic’s own apparel line.
The main social room overlooks four pickleball courts through arched windows and includes high tops, four tops, lounge seating, and multiple ping pong tables. Local art is integrated throughout the space. One rotating installation features 24 hand painted pickleball paddles created by local artists and curated by Chad Mize. Overhead, five roseate spoonbill sculptures by local artist Elizabeth Bonert float above the room, blending 3D printing with hand sculpted foam.
Near the entrance, a mural by Johnny Vitale pays tribute to the Florida Highwaymen, a collective of 26 African American landscape artists from Fort Pierce who sold vivid Florida scenes door to door from the 1950s through the 1980s.
Rose’s Dining & Drinks serves as the umbrella for the club’s food and beverage concepts. In addition to the main cocktail bar near the entrance, a secondary bar transitions from serving coffee and breakfast in the morning to wine and oysters in the evening.
“I don’t think people realize how good the food is going to be,” said Pressman. “People will come here just to eat. This will be one of the best restaurants in St. Pete.”
The culinary program is led by Chef Adam Beckett, whose background includes The Birchwood, Ulele, and Locale Market. Sabatini describes the food philosophy as elevated simplicity.
“Our approach is straightforward. We take classic dishes people love and execute them at a higher level,” said Sabatini. “It’s not about being fancy for the sake of it. It’s about great ingredients, real technique, and consistency.”
The menu leans American Continental, modern and intentional. Standout items include a house roasted turkey club, a breakfast sandwich with Black Forest bacon, souffléed egg, datil pepper aioli, and homemade cheese sauce on a brioche bun, as well as a fried chicken sandwich, steak sandwich, and burger. Bagels are sourced directly from Ess a Bagel in New York City.
The bar program mirrors the kitchen’s philosophy with streamlined yet refined cocktails.
“They’re easy to enjoy but thoughtfully crafted,” said Sabatini. “Sophisticated, balanced drinks that fit the rhythm of the club.”
Green Bench Brewing has also created an exclusive pale ale available only at St. Pete Athletic.
While most of the facility is open to the public, select areas are reserved for members. All 800 memberships have already sold out, with a waitlist now open. Monthly rates are $250 for individuals, $450 for couples, and $600 for families.
Members enjoy access to a private clubhouse that functions as a co working lounge by day and a social club by night. Amenities include community tables, a private cocktail parlor, billiards, a working fireplace, and a conference room that can also serve as a chef’s table. The members only cocktail program features exclusive drinks inspired by iconic country clubs and sporting events, including custom takes on the Honey Deuce and the Masters Transfusion.
The fitness center is outfitted with Technogym equipment, free weights, and a turf lane for sled and plyometric training. Six personal trainers offer strength, mobility, and pickleball specific conditioning, along with yoga, pilates, and circuit classes. Additional amenities include saunas, private changing rooms with showers, a recording studio, and an outdoor garden with a planned cold plunge.
The pickleball courts themselves are designed for both casual and competitive play. Cushion X flooring reduces impact while maintaining performance, and each court is equipped with an iPad, score tracking monitors, and cameras that allow players to save replays directly to their phones. Open play does not require reservations, though members receive priority booking access.
St. Pete Athletic will host Major League Pickleball next year, an event expected to attract up to 15,000 visitors over four days. Arched windows overlooking the courts will convert into VIP suites, and temporary stadium seating will allow the venue to scale for large tournaments.
Additional courts and two padel courts are expected to open in a neighboring building by mid to late January.
For the founding team, St. Pete Athletic represents a thoughtful blend of sport, hospitality, fitness, and community.
“What we’re building is a place people want to return to,” said Pressman. “Not just for the courts, the food, the fitness, or the social side, but for how it all comes together.”
St. Pete Athletic will be open seven days a week from 5 a.m. to midnight.
Aaron Hoffman / Cømpass Realtor / St Petersburg & Tampa 813.817.7914
