Three-Story Waterfront Restaurant Coming to Downtown Gulfport

A new dining spot will rise above Gulfport's waterfront. Prometheus Partners from Clearwater plans to build Surf Shack, a three-story restaurant and bar. The building will stand at 5427 Shore Blvd. South, taking up a quarter-acre of prime coastal land.

St. Pete's Fraze Design crafted plans for a coastal-inspired structure. White siding meets blue accents, while striped awnings add a seaside touch to the 5,700-square-foot building. The design fits snugly within the area's strict building codes.

Diners will find space on two main levels. The second floor holds 104 seats, with nine spots at a sleek bar. Above, 67 guests can eat on the third floor, where 10 bar seats and an open-air deck wait for visitors.

Rules about flooding shape the ground floor's design. It sits 12 feet up, meeting federal standards. Cars get 11 spots below, next to staff areas and the main elevator. At just under 40 feet tall, it stays well under local limits.

The spot changed hands for $1.8 million last April. What once held five small homes, torn down in 2023, will soon buzz with new life.

A key win came on Oct. 8. The city's Board of Adjustment cut parking needs by 25 spaces. Now they'll need 51 spots total: much more doable in the tight downtown area.

Surf Shack will join O'Maddy's and Stormrunners on the strip. For Prometheus Partners, this marks their first step into Gulfport's food scene.

Two final steps remain: getting site plan approval and outdoor seating permits. City officials should wrap up these decisions soon.