Known as the EpiCenter and the crown jewel of St. Petersburg College, FleischmanGarciaMaslowski (FG+M) Architecture designed a 131,000 sq. ft. joint-use facility shared by St. Petersburg College and Pinellas County. The EpiCenter is a full-service facility designed as a “one-stop center” to assist current businesses and industries in maximizing their potential, as well as helping Pinellas County in attracting new business to the area. The facility provides office and meeting areas for St. Petersburg College staff and the staff of four Pinellas County Government departments. FG+M designed the classroom and lab spaces to support creative business planning and problem-solving. The Cyber Café, EpiCenter’s in-house food service facility, attracts customers with wireless internet connection and plasma screen televisions.
Housed in an extensively renovated two-story light manufacturing building in the Rubin Icot Center located in central Pinellas County, the existing structure consists of tilt-up concrete walls with a steel-framed roof structure. A steel-supported concrete deck on the second floor fitted into the existing shell, doubling the square footage. Three new external stair towers and internal elevators provide access to the second floor. The building is fully fire-protected and has new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
