ST. PETERSBURG, FL-The BayWalk shopping complex is up for sale. Colliers International Tampa Bay has retained the exclusive listing.

BayWalk’s ownership decided to list the property after a number of potential buyers expressed interest in the downtown St. Petersburg complex in recent months. BayWalk struggled through the recession, but it’s prime location one block from Beach Drive and close to arts attractions has sparked investor interest in a recovering market.

Michael Milano, CCIM, a veteran retail specialist and managing director at Colliers, is leading the efforts to secure a buyer for the 74,500-square-foot retail complex, which opened in 2000. Milano says he plans to take a “very broad approach” in marketing the property, with an extensive campaign that reaches prospective buyers from the local, national and international levels.

“We're looking for the person who has the most optimistic view of BayWalk and its tremendous potential. We're trying to find the person who believes in the property and is willing to take the entrepreneurial risk of making it work,” Milano tells GlobeSt.com.

“The St. Petersburg market has improved significantly with the high level of energy and occupancy of Beach Drive and Central Avenue. BayWalk is an ideal candidate to benefit from the downtown St. Pete resurgence.”