The St. Pete Beach Planning Board gave the green light for the Tradewinds Resort/hotel to keep working on its $500 million expansion. The members unanimously approved a development agreement and conditional use permit (CUP) for the redevelopment of the beachfront resort at 5500 Gulf Boulevard that will bring three new hotels and amenities to the property.
The development team expects the 20-year project to generate $3.5 billion in local business sales and support 508 annual jobs.
The next stop is the St. Pete Beach city commission meeting April 15th, which is expected to attract a crowd of opponents as well as supporters.
St. Pete Catalyst reported:
The city listed 39 project approval conditions, and the developer must contribute $1.25 million over 10 years to local transportation projects.
The development team expects the project to generate $409 million in state and local taxes. They will also fund dune restoration across the expansive property.
The four-phased expansion, which would take place over 20 years, will bring 629 new hotel rooms, 68,000 square feet of new restaurant and retail space across three new towers, and 2,113 parking spaces to the property.
Phase 1: This phase encompasses a 12-story 154-key hotel facing the Seamark condominiums. It will have a two-story beachfront restaurant, a pool, and a six-story parking garage. Tower 1 will sit at an angle so that the views of Seamark residents are not disturbed.
Phase 2: This phase calls for an 11-story 261-key hotel, bringing a total of 23,536 square feet of retail and restaurant space, 24,887 square feet of meeting and ballroom space, 9,630 square feet of offices, a five- and seven-story parking garage, a new main resort entry, and elimination of several curb cuts.
Phase 3: This phase entails the construction of a 12-story 235-key hotel, 8,158 square feet of retail and restaurant space, a four-story parking garage, a new public beach access, and the elimination of a driveway.
Phase 4: The final phase includes a new office and lobby, the completion of the entire frontage road, a third public beach access, and the elimination of three driveways.
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