‘Iconic,' ‘uniquely St. Pete:' What five local architects think of the new Pier

Brian Hammond, Director of Architecture in the Design Studio of BDG Architects in Tampa (which contributed to elements of the Pier):

"BDG Architects was fortunate to work with Chuck Prather on his latest restaurant concepts at the new St. Pete Pier. We partnered with Birchwood Development on another downtown St. Pete destination, The Birchwood Inn, visible from the new St. Pete Pier. BDG Architects used ASD/SKY’s unique design of the pier which takes advantage of the waterfront and views of downtown as the canvas with which we brought Chuck’s vision to life into the new restaurant concepts that are housed in the pierhead. Each of the three concepts, the more upscale restaurant, Teak, the rooftop Pier Teaki and Driftwood Cafe located on the ground floor provide something for everyone with bay and city views to connect the interior with the exterior.

“The new pier also does the same for its visitors. The approach to their new pierhead provides visitors a choice of pedestrian experiences from the open-air market to the great sloped lawn and the splashpad. The path invites visitors to explore this urban park with surprises along the way taking you to the coastal thicket of natural vegetation or by Janet Echelman’s sculpture, Bending Arc, to visit the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center, throw a line out in hopes of hooking a fish or just find a place to rest and take in the 360 degree view all that St. Petersburg has to offer. A long time in the making, St. Petersburg has a new icon and BDG Architects is proud to be a part of this project, which a nice addition to the already beautiful waterfront.”