About Old Northeast
The Old Northeast stretches north of downtown St. Petersburg to Coffee Pot Bayou, with brick streets, hexagon-block sidewalks and homes built mostly from the 1910s through the 1930s.
Lower blocks near the waterfront flooded in 2024. Because so many homes are historic, owners here are more likely to gut and restore than to tear down.
The housing in Old Northeast
Bungalows, Craftsman and Mediterranean Revival homes with plaster walls and wood floors, detached garages and garage apartments. Interior demolition, garage removal and pulling out flood-damaged additions are the usual jobs.
Most-requested demolition in Old Northeast
- Interior Demolition & Flood Gut-Outs
Historic homes restored after flooding.
- Lot Clearing & Debris Removal
Damaged garages and sheds removed.
- House Demolition
Non-historic structures past repair.
Who approves a Old Northeast teardown
In Old Northeast, demolition permits come from the City of St. Petersburg Construction Services & Permitting. The office is at One 4th Street N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, (727) 893-7231 (Pinellas County building-department directory).
Separately, Pinellas County Air Quality requires a demolition notice with a written asbestos survey at least 10 working days before demolition, even when no asbestos is found (county asbestos rules). The licensed contractor files both.
Check historic status before anything comes down
Demolishing a designated local landmark or a contributing building in a local historic district needs city historic review first. Ask the city before signing a demolition contract.
Before a Old Northeast teardown starts
- Historic status checked with the city
- Plaster and tile tested for asbestos
- Brick street and sidewalk protected
- Wood floors and trim that stay covered
Free estimate, usually the same day.
Free estimateOld Northeast demolition questions
Can I tear down a house in the Old Northeast?
It depends on its historic status. Designated properties and those in local historic districts need city approval first; others follow the normal permit process.
Can you remove just a detached garage?
Yes. Garages and garage apartments are quoted on their own.
How do you protect brick streets?
With mats under equipment and trucks parked off the brick where possible.
More St. Petersburg neighborhoods
- Shore AcresSlab homes ruled substantially damaged.
- Snell IsleOlder homes being restored after the surge.
- Venetian IslesBlock homes on low canal lots.
- Riviera BayOld slabs out for raised rebuilds.
- Coquina KeySingle-story block homes on low lots.
Elsewhere in the city: St. Petersburg demolition.