Growing up in Harlem, John Catsimatidis would draw back the curtains of his window and see nothing but a brick wall, he told the Economic Club of Tampa during a luncheon Monday. He always aspired to have a room with a view — that’s why Catsimatidis, who is now a billionaire and St. Pete developer, among many other roles, chose to raise his family in a home overlooking Central Park.
Soon, though, Catsimatidis may be trading Central Park life for panoramic views of downtown St. Petersburg. Catsimatidis, owner of Gristedes supermarket chain and founder and CEO of Red Apple Real Estate, has purchased the penthouse apartment of his signature development in the region, the Residences at 400 Central, which will be the tallest tower in downtown St. Petersburg when it opens next year.
Catsimatidis, 77, spoke with reporters Monday afternoon after the Economic Club of Tampa lunch. Once his new penthouse apartment is ready, he and his wife, Margo, plan to become Florida residents, he says, splitting their time between St. Petersburg and the New York City apartment building where their children have also made their homes. And while he declined to name any specific project he may have his eye on for future development, Catsimatidis made his commitment to the Tampa Bay region known…