Rooftop Dinosaur Garden Planned for EDGE District
A new chapter is coming to Central Avenue’s skyline, and it’s one that blends science, imagination, and city life. Ellison Development has announced plans for a rooftop garden at The Central — and at the heart of it all will be a rare dinosaur skeleton.
Meet Devaiah, the Prehistoric Star
The centerpiece of this “dino-garden” is Devaiah, a 76-million-year-old Gorgosaurus. With only about 20 known skeletons of its kind worldwide, Devaiah predates the Tyrannosaurus rex by roughly 10 million years. What makes this even more remarkable is that it’s the only Gorgosaurus skeleton in a private collection — and now, it’s being shared with the public right here in St. Pete.
The skeleton belongs to Ellison Development co-founder Sidd Pagidipati, who named it after his father, Dr. Devaiah Pagidipati. Developers say the display was inspired by the popularity of “Big John,” the record-breaking triceratops at Tampa’s Glazer Children’s Museum. Their hope is to create a place where families and visitors can experience science in a setting that also contributes lasting green space to the city.
A Rooftop Unlike Any Other
“Let’s be honest, no one expects to find dinosaur fossils on top of a parking garage,” said Casey Ellison, CEO of Ellison Development. “That’s the fun of it. The Central isn’t just about buildings, it’s about experiences that make people say, ‘Only in St. Pete.’”
Plans call for the fossil to be displayed in glass, surrounded by a rooftop garden designed for gathering, relaxing, and exploring. It’s a project that turns what could have been empty space into one of the city’s most surprising attractions.
The Central: Redefining the EDGE District
Located at 1301 Central Avenue, The Central sits on the site of the former St. Petersburg Police headquarters, just across from Ferg’s Sports Bar. The multi-use development is already reshaping the EDGE District with new amenities:
A 540-space public parking garage, now open
The 11-story Halcyon office and retail building
A 15-story Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel
42 workforce housing units
ARK Invest is slated to anchor Halcyon’s office space, occupying the entire 11th floor — more than 13,000 square feet designed for hybrid work and future growth. Ground-level retail will bring in restaurants and shops that further expand the district’s offerings.
What’s Next
Construction is well underway, and the parking garage is already easing the hunt for spaces in the bustling EDGE District. Details on the rooftop garden and dinosaur exhibit are expected soon, but one thing is certain: this project is adding a layer of imagination to the city’s development boom.
From skyline views to prehistoric fossils, the EDGE District is about to become home to one of the most unexpected green spaces in Florida.