Historic Restoration

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February 3, 2025 • The Telephone Building

Bee Colony Discovered and Relocated at Telephone Building

A beekeeper wearing protective gear reaches into exposed brick and wood framing during removal of a large bee colony inside the Telephone Building wall. — A licensed beekeeper carefully removes part of the west wall to access a twenty-foot-long bee colony discovered mid-restoration.

During restoration work on the west wall of the historic Telephone Building, crews discovered an unexpected resident: a thriving bee colony inside a twenty-foot-long masonry cavity. Rather than exterminate the bees, the Cleveland Street Alliance team brought in a licensed beekeeper specializing in hive relocation.

The queen bee was carefully transferred to a containment vessel and placed outside, prompting the colony to follow naturally. Once vacated, the hive structure was removed and the wall sealed. The bees now live at a nearby apiary.

This ecological approach highlighted how restoration can be environmentally conscious while preserving the architectural legacy of downtown Clearwater.

Telephone — A licensed beekeeper preserves biodiversity during west wall work.

Telephone — Twenty-foot-long bee colony discovered inside wall cavity.

Learn more about the full restoration plan for the Telephone Building.

MORE BLOGS ON THE TELEPHONE BUILDING

February 11, 2026 • The Telephone Building

Streetscape Paver Work Nears Completion at the Telephone Building

February 8, 2026 • The Telephone Building

Paver Installation Underway as Streetscape Work Continues at the Telephone Building

February 6, 2026 • The Telephone Building

Streetscape Improvements Continue at the Telephone Building

January 30, 2026 • The Telephone Building

Streetscape Upgrades Begin Along the Telephone Building

November 18, 2025 • The Telephone Building

Milestone Moment: A New Restaurant Is Coming Soon to the Historic Telephone Building

July 28, 2025 • The Telephone Building

Shellac Sealing Begins on Exposed Woodwork in the Telephone Building

July 18, 2025 • The Telephone Building

Rubber Stair Tread Installation Completed at the Telephone Building

July 7, 2025 • The Telephone Building

Finish Carpentry Installed in Telephone Building Lobby Restoration

June 29, 2025 • The Telephone Building

A New Concrete Slab Is Poured at the Back of the Telephone Building

June 24, 2025 • The Telephone Building

Solar Panel Installation Completed at the Telephone Building

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The Telephone Building

Streetscape Paver Work Nears Completion at the Telephone Building

Fire-Rated Ceiling Channels Are Installed Inside the Peoples Bank Building

F.W. Woolworth Co.

Final Crown Molding Detailing Continues at the Woolworth Building

Plaster Removal Reveals Structural Beam at the Brown Brothers Building

Electrical Removal Completed at 635 Cleveland Street

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