St. Pete Pier wins top AIA award

The design firms behind the new St. Petersburg Municipal Pier and a long-time Tampa Bay architect received top honors at the American Institute of Architects’ Tampa Bay chapter’s annual “Celebrate Design” award ceremony early this month.

ASD | SKY and Rogers Partners received the AIA chapter’s top honor, the H. Dean Rowe FAIA Award for Design Excellence, for their work on the 26-acre St. Pete Pier.

The $76 million project debuted in early July after COVID-19-related delays.

The AIA Tampa Bay jury says the new Pier reflects innovative architectural design, sustainability, commitment to education and excellence in landscape design.

“The design transcends the expectations of a Pier,” the jury found, adding it demonstrates “bold architecture and masterful use of geometry along with a purposeful and beautiful execution.”

Architect Robert Bitterli received the top individual honor during the Nov. 5 virtual award ceremony, the Medal of Honor.

In all, 21 awards were also presented to St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman; architects Cuyler Hendricks, Michael Halflants and Robert MacLoed; Wannemacher Jensen Architects Inc.; Solstice Planning and Architecture; Rowe Architects Inc.; Wilder Architecture; Flad Architects; Holmes Architects; Gresham Smith; Halflants Pichette Architects; and Straughn Trout Architects.

ASD | SKY also won an award for its work on Water Street Tampa developer Strategic Property Partners’ new headquarters.

The AIA Tampa Bay chapter in all has more than 700 members in seven counties throughout the region.