A new pickleball facility and restaurant are coming to St. Petersburg’s The Factory

Following the sale of The Factory St. Pete in June, there were talks of a restaurant and a pickleball facility coming to the space.

It’s true. St. Pete Athletic, Paddle & Social Club announced that it is opening at The Factory. It will have 14 pickleball courts, two padel (another racket sport that originated in Mexico) courts and six table tennis tables, all indoors. It will also have a restaurant and bar and a craft beer concept.

The club’s founding team is composed of pickleball enthusiast, founder and managing operator Reuben Pressman; Graham D’Amico, owner of the Major League Pickleball team Florida Smash and co-operator; Jarrett Sabatini, owner of Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails, who will run the bar and restaurant; and Nathan Stonecipher of Green Bench Brewing Co., who will bring a new craft beer and cider spot inside.

Pressman is a local entrepreneur who, after selling his company, set his sights on creating a pickleball club in St. Pete because he noticed a shortage of courts. He had planned to build pickleball courts in a different location, but moved away from it, he said during a phone interview.

Now, funding has been secured, the lease has been signed and the architectural process with Wannemacher Jensen Architects is underway at The Factory.

The club will be about 45,000 square feet: 30,000 existing, mostly vacant space and a 15,000-square-foot buildout. It’s expected to open in early 2025.

Memberships will be offered, but the club will be open to the public to play and dine. It will also feature a retail pro shop, boutique fitness studio and gym and locker/shower facilities. Pressman said the restaurant will also serve the Factory and courtside.

“Think Top Golf, but for paddle sports,” Pressman said.

There are plans for events and programs like competitive leagues and tournaments and youth activities. Since it runs along the Pinellas Trail, the configuration will make that side the front and a gate to the trail will be opened.

Membership sign-ups launch today at an introductory offer of $150 per month at stpeteathletic.com. A wait list system has also been established. Membership benefits include early access and discounts on private court bookings, discounts on food and beverage, retail and events and exclusive access to the membership lounge and other spaces.

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the U.S., Pressman said, probably because it was designed to be accessible to everyone and is played by kids as young as five years old and people in their mid 80s.

“There’s a huge need for not only courts and the experience, but the social side as well,” Pressman said. “The other clubs (in the city) are more high end and exclusive. We’re trying to keep this affordable so that pretty much anyone that wants to join and be a part of the experience can.”