Restoration of Classic Pedestal Clock Begins Amid Construction of Residences at 400 Central Tower
Clock at corner of Central Avenue and Fifth Street in St. Petersburg will undergo thorough refurbishment and reinstallation within overall property
(ST. PETERSBURG – March 16, 2022) – Restoration crews working on behalf The Residences at 400 Central development team have begun work to protect, repair and return the classic McClintock pedestal clock that has stood for years at the corner of Central Avenue and Fifth Street in downtown St. Petersburg.
The non-functioning clock has been removed from the site; will be restored to full working order; and reinstalled as a highlight feature within a public, pedestrian area of the site.
“We look at this clock and see reflections of the charm and character of downtown St. Pete’s wonderful sidewalks and avenues,” said John Catsimatidis Sr., founder of Red Apple Real Estate and principal of the development company sponsoring The Residences at 400 Central. “We are making sure to bring in experts with vast experience so this clock can stand again in a special place beside the future tower.”
When complete, The Residences at 400 Central Avenue, designed by the world renowned, Florida base architectural firm, Arquitectonica, will be the tallest residential building on Florida’s Gulf Coast – featuring shops, restaurants and a breathtaking rooftop observatory with views of both Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The Residences at 400 Central will be a transformative and iconic development in downtown St. Petersburg, reaching 46-stories tall and encompassing a full city block. The project will include 301 luxury condominiums, plus expansive office space, street-level restaurants, cafes and more.
The clock was originally installed in 1924 directly onto the second-floor corner of the Home Security Building and “chimed every 15 minutes, which drew complaints from the neighboring Poinsettia Hotel,” said Rui Farias, executive director of the St. Petersburg Museum of History.
The classic clock was originally installed onto the First National Bank building in downtown St. Petersburg.
St. Petersburg’s downtown banks closed amid the Great Depression, then re-opened, and the bank building changed hands several times. The clock was removed prior the bank building’s demolition in 1976, modified to be a pedestal clock, and placed on the corner of Central and Fifth Street in 1978.
Red Apple has enlisted Boyd Clocks to undertake a full restoration. Boyd Clocks was started in Tampa in 1944 by master clockmaker David Boyd Sr. The business passed down to his son, David Jr., who is also a renowned, master clockmaker.
The clock, Boyd explained, reflects a long tradition of banks, department stores and offices installing ornate clocks on their buildings. Frequently, these clocks were controlled via a wire from a master clock within the building. Modern restorations, Boyd said, typically involve making a restored clock independent, with a GPS antenna to perpetually keep accurate time.
The restored clock will remain protected in storage until vertical tower construction is largely complete and the site is ready for its safe return. Initial construction of the tower has already begun, including ground infrastructure and foundation preparation.
The clock, Boyd explained, reflects a long tradition of banks, department stores and offices installing ornate clocks on their buildings. Frequently, these clocks were controlled via a wire from a master clock within the building. Modern restorations, Boyd said, typically involve making a restored clock independent, with a GPS antenna to perpetually keep accurate time.
The restored clock will remain protected in storage until vertical tower construction is largely complete and the site is ready for its safe return. Initial construction of the tower has already begun, including ground infrastructure and foundation preparation.
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