The Sourdough Co. Secured Union Trust Bank Building

The local bakery has leased the historic 11,000-square-foot site on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Baking

Screen-print poster illustration of an open bank vault door with a sourdough loaf resting on the threshold, evoking local architectural heritage. — The Sourdough Co. has leased the historic 11,000-square-foot Union Trust Bank building on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg to expand its local operations. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Sourdough Co. has signed a lease for the historic Union Trust Bank building located at 895 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg. The bakery plans to renovate the 11,000-square-foot space while preserving original architectural features.

Why it matters

The move represents a significant expansion for the bakery, which has operated in the city's Edge District since 2023. This lease secures a prominent Beaux-Arts structure for commercial use while protecting its historical integrity.

The property encompasses 11,000 square feet spread across three floors. The site is a notable Beaux-Arts structure originally designed by architect Malachi Leo Elliot.

The players

The Sourdough Co.

This is a local bakery business that began its operations in St. Petersburg in 2023.

Malachi Leo Elliot

He was the architect who originally designed the Union Trust Bank building in 1926.

All Trades Historical

This organization performed specialized restoration work on the bank building in 2022.

The details

The Sourdough Co. intends to maintain its existing operations at 1113 Central Ave. throughout the renovation process. Designers plan to incorporate the building's original brickwork and the existing bank vault into the new interior layout.

1926: The Union Trust Bank building was originally constructed.
2019: The historic street clock at the corner of the site was restored.
2022: All Trades Historical completed a restoration of the building.
2023: The Sourdough Co. launched its business in the Edge District.
September 2026: The Sourdough Co. officially announced the new lease agreement.

Culture Shift

The transition of this historic financial landmark into a modern bakery reflects a broader trend of repurposing architecturally significant downtown buildings for hospitality use. This project follows the precedent set by the 2022 All Trades Historical restoration of the Union Trust Bank building.

Residents can continue to visit the bakery's current Edge District location throughout the renovation period without service interruptions. Once the new site opens, customers will gain access to a larger facility that preserves one of the city's notable historic structures.

The takeaway

Preserving historic architecture through adaptive reuse allows local businesses to contribute to the character of downtown St. Petersburg. Customers should look for future announcements regarding the preservation of the building's iconic bank vault and exterior features.