SPL LIVING
53 January/February 2020 StPeteLifeMag.com
and past the charming storefronts from
the Snell Arcade to the Edge District,”
says Elwyn. “As residents, it’s easy to
forget how special Central is until you
realize that many downtowns have lost
this part of their past.”
But even if you have managed to catch
each of these tours through the city’s
history, you’ll still learn a thing or two
on a second run. That’s because each
guide has their own perspective and
area of interest in what makes our city
special.
PTB Guiding Lights
One of the organization’s original
tour guides is retired attorney
Peter Belmont. He’s been with the
organization since day one, and has
been on the front lines for many of the
battles to save the things we treasure
in our city. Peter has also shepherded
owners through the preservation
process so they can take advantage of
having seen the Soreno Hotel imploded
for a scene in “Lethal Weapon 3.” Alas,
the shopping complex developers went
bankrupt and the scene didn’t even
credits.
Emily Elwyn has a master’s degree
in historic preservation from the
University of Georgia and cut her teeth
working for the Atlanta Preservation
Center. Emily can tell you what makes
one building worthy of preservation,
while another might not. She’s got a
deep knowledge of architecture and
will tell you how the right windows
can make or break a good renovation.
Emily also brings a special love for St.
PHOTOS/MARCIA BIGGS
Top, Ken Grimes shares the history of the Vinoy Renaissance hotel on a bicycle tour of Old Northeast. Above, PTB tour guide Emily
Elwyn describes how Mirror Lake played a central part in the development of the city.
/StPeteLifeMag.com