ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The anonymous creator of blockchain and Bitcoin is being honored with a new affordable housing project in Saint Petersburg. 


What You Need To Know

  • An affordable housing project in downtown St. Petersburg is dedicated to, and tells the story of cryptocurrency 

  • The micro apartments at 'Satoshi Hideout' are meant to have flexible leases and be within walking distance of local hospitals 

  • The next phase of the project includes installing solar power panels and providing electric cars for rent

After five months of planning, real estate investor San Eng has listed his property for leasing.

"We need more cool affordable micro units on a flex-basis, just because of all the travelers, nurses and entrepreneurs," said Eng.

San says he developed apartments at Satoshi Hideout within walking distance of three local hospitals and downtown St. Petersburg to meet that need.

Each of the 40 units is fully furnished and includes bath and kitchen amenities.

"Nurses typically have three-month contracts," he added. 

In addition to the non-traditional and short-term leases being offered; San's development is dedicated to the theme and lingo of cryptocurrency. 

"The mysterious founder of Bitcoin is Satoshi Nakamoto, but it's a pen name. Nobody knows whether Satoshi is a man, woman, child, Black, White or Asian. Nobody knows. We think he's hiding. This is why we call this Satoshi's Hideout," she added. 

Artwork and murals throughout the building tell the story of the founder of Bitcoin; the first cryptocurrency founded in 2009. 

The digital currency is powered by a network of users who verify and record transactions without relying on a central bank. 

Artist Adam Longaker illustrates Satoshi's story with a mural.

"I really like the revolutionary story of him and how he's giving back to the smaller people and taking it away from the larger bank," said Longaker. 

The mural's character represents Satoshi taking on a bull, which represents prevailing over the establishment. 

Stamps by individuals on the mural will represent their hopes for the future and their reason for being, also known as Ikigai. 

"The Japanese principal (Ikigai) of doing what you love, but also how it intersects with how you can make money," he added. 

San hopes to collect a hundred Ikigai's from local leaders, influencers, artists and residents who want to leave their own mark on the mural and share their ideals for the future. 

The next phase of the project includes installing solar power panels and providing two electric cars for residents to rent. 

San Eng and his partners began investing in the Tampa Bay area last February. 

His company Skytian Capital is currently working on seven projects to build 400 Multi-family units, most of which will be listed with traditional long-term leases.