Broadwater
Mid-Century Waterfront Neighborhood, Boca Ciega Bay
AE (high risk)
Flood Zone
3-7 ft
Elevation
1960s ranch waterfront + modern rebuilds
Construction
22
Walk Score
Neighborhood Overview
Broadwater is a 1960s waterfront subdivision on the west side of St. Pete, just north of Gulfport. Almost every home has canal access, and the canals connect directly to Boca Ciega Bay. The streets are wider than the historic neighborhoods, the lots are larger, and the architecture is unmistakably mid-century: low-slung ranches with big windows, terrazzo floors, and pool-and-canal layouts.
It's also almost entirely in flood zone AE. Hurricane Helene caused significant flooding here, like every low-elevation waterfront neighborhood in the area. Many older slab homes have been substantially damaged and are now being elevated, rebuilt, or sold for land value.
Pricing in Broadwater is interesting — it trades at a meaningful discount versus comparable east-side waterfront (Snell Isle, Coquina Key) because it's west-side and further from downtown. For buyers who want canal access on the bay side, beach proximity, and don't mind the 15-minute downtown drive, the value is real.
Commute Times
Click any destination to see the mapped route with real-time traffic estimates.
Pros & Cons
The Pros
- Canal-front lots with direct Boca Ciega Bay access
- 12 minutes to St. Pete Beach — closer than east-side waterfront
- Mid-century ranch architecture — increasingly collectible
- Larger lots and wider streets than 1920s historic neighborhoods
- Pricing trails comparable east-side waterfront
- Strong boating community
The Cons
- Almost entirely flood zone AE
- Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding
- Most older 1960s slab homes need significant elevation work
- FEMA 50% rule a major factor on renovations
- Walk Score is very low — residential subdivision, not a neighborhood
- 15 minutes to downtown — further than east-side waterfront
What You Need to Know
Who Should Live Here
Boaters who want canal access on the bay side. Mid-century architecture enthusiasts. Buyers who want waterfront and beach proximity and are willing to trade downtown commute time. Anyone clear-eyed about post-Helene insurance and elevation reality.
What to Watch For
Substantial damage status. FEMA 50% rule. Most homes are 1960s slab, which is the highest-risk category for renovations. Newer elevated builds and second-floor-living homes performed dramatically better in the storm. Get the elevation certificate and a real insurance quote.
What to Expect
1960s low-slung ranch homes with terrazzo floors, big windows, and canal-and-pool layouts. Wider streets, bigger lots, mid-century landscaping. A neighborhood that's transitioning — older slabs giving way to elevated rebuilds in fits and starts.
What's Nearby
Gulfport Beach & Pier
1.5 mi
Gulfport Downtown / Beach Blvd
1.5 mi
Boca Ciega Bay
0.2 mi
St. Pete Beach
5 mi
Downtown St. Pete
5 mi
Treasure Island
5 mi
Elevation & Flood Risk
5ft average elevation
FEMA Flood Zone AE (almost entire neighborhood) — flood insurance required
Thinking about Broadwater?
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