Preserve the ‘Burg Opens Office in Warehouse Arts District

City Councilmember Corey Givens, Local Mural artist Laura Spencer, and PTB Executive Director Manny Leto in the new PTB space.

When Preserve the ‘Burg cut the ribbon on its new headquarters on November 8 in the Warehouse Arts District, the moment marked far more than an office upgrade. For the nearly 50-year-old organization, founded in 1977, and long operating without a walk-in space for the public, the opening represents a new era of presence, accessibility, and community engagement in St. Petersburg. 

“We’ve never had a public-facing office, a place where people could come and interact with us,” says Executive Director Manny Leto. “We’re really excited to have more of a public presence.” The ribbon-cutting was attended by Chris Steinocher, president and CEO of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, city council members Corey Givens and Lisset Hanewicz, members of the board, volunteers, and of course many members of the community. 

The new office, tucked into one of the city’s most vibrant and quickly evolving creative areas, addresses both a practical need and a logical shift for the organization that has helped preserve the look and feel of St. Pete today.

The decision to land in the Warehouse Arts District, Leto explains, was more of a chance discovery than a grand plan. The PTB board tasked him with finding a new office, something like what they’d had – a functional place to work and meet. But when a vacancy unexpectedly opened, the opportunity revealed potential beyond a simple office space.

Leto happily shared, “This really had been something that was in the back of my mind since I started with Preserve the ‘Burg – trying to figure out a way to have this kind of front-facing office. Everything just aligned.” 

The alignment is not just logistical, but cultural. The district overflows with creativity and connects with the Deuces, the historic 22nd Street neighborhood – an area central to the city’s history and identity. Being there puts Preserve the ‘Burg in an environment of artists, small businesses, and community builders. “It plugs us into a really vibrant kind of growing and exciting part of the city,” Leto says. 

Though modest in size, the new headquarters is designed to be energetic. Primarily, it functions as a meeting place for staff, board members, and community partners. But the space also opens the door to a variety of public programs PTB could not easily host before. 

“It’s a small gallery space, so we’ll be able to host small exhibits – that could be art, or it could be architecture students,” Leto says. “It also allows us to have small gatherings, workshops, book signings, volunteer trainings, or classes.” 

The goal is not to transform the space into an event venue, but to create an intimate community hub that supports the organization’s mission to educate, advocate, and celebrate St. Pete’s history and what makes St. Pete special. The new location also makes Preserve the ‘Burg part of the Second Saturday ArtWalk, and they plan to have their doors open for visitors in that part of the Warehouse Arts District. 

Leto also hints at another initiative on the horizon: “In 2026, we hope to offer office hours potentially with architects and other professionals,” he says. “People could come in and ask questions about a project they’re working on. The idea is to have a professional available at times as a community resource.” Leto notes that more ideas will emerge once the organization settles into the space and sees how the community responds to it. “There’s a lot of opportunity we haven’t even thought of yet.” 

As St. Petersburg continues to rapidly grow, conversations around historic preservation have shifted from when the organization began nearly 50 years ago. Leto believes his and the organization’s role is to broaden the public’s understanding of what preservation truly accomplishes. 

“Yes, it’s about history, community memory, and certainly aesthetics,” he says. “But it’s also about economics, small business development, affordable housing, and tourism. So, there are all these layers to the kind of historic built environment in St. Petersburg.” 

A recent Place Economics study commissioned by the organization helped illuminate those layers, with Central Avenue serving as a prime example. Many residents may not realize the corridor’s appeal is tied to the fact that most of its buildings, from 1st to 34th Street, were built before 1960. 

“Central Avenue works the way it does because the spaces are small and adaptable,” Leto explains. “That means you can have a butcher shop, a pasta shop, vintage clothing stores, record shops, and local restaurants, and it’s walkable. It’s vibrant. It’s a small business incubator.” 

In the study, most residents say they visit Central Avenue at least once a month, a sign of its function as both a beloved amenity and an economic driver for the city. “That’s why these historic small buildings matter,” Leto says. “They support the unique businesses that give the city character, and that’s an economic issue the city should be considering.”

I asked Leto what he hopes future generations will say about Preserve the ‘Burg’s work, and he points back to the present. “You can see our legacy today,” he says. “We enjoy the Vinoy because early members fought to make sure that that building remained in place. We enjoy Roser Park because Preserve the ‘Burg helped designate it as the city’s first local historic district. Preserve the ‘Burg assisted and partnered with the neighborhood of Kenwood and we get to experience Kenwood and its collection of bungalows.” 

Preserve the Burg’s nearly 50-year record has helped safeguard some of the city’s most beloved neighborhoods and landmarks, many of which are found in the Old Northeast. But Leto emphasizes that preservation isn’t about resisting change, it’s about shaping growth thoughtfully, so St. Petersburg keeps its “sense of place,” and the “vibe” that sets it apart from other Florida cities. 

Leto explains, “Cities grow and evolve, and we want that. But we also want to retain what makes St. Pete distinct – its identity, its unique sense of place.” What better example of that identity than Central Avenue. Leto points out that the Central Avenue corridor connects waterfront to waterfront across more than 30 walkable blocks. “Try finding that somewhere else in Florida,” he notes.

When asked how the community can get involved, Leto answered, “The best step is to sign up as a member or stop by on Second Saturday to say hello and learn more. Go on a walking tour. We have tours all across the city.” For newcomers and long-time residents alike, these tours offer a meaningful look into understanding the stories and structures that define St. Pete. “Learn about the place you call home,” Leto says. “That’s really the first step.” With its new headquarters now open, Preserve the ‘Burg is excited to offer more opportunities than ever for residents to connect with the history of the city and help shape its future. 

To learn more about upcoming events and tours with Preserve the ‘Burg, visit preservetheburg.org.