Thrive
Cordova Inn opens after multi-year expansion project
New Hotel Collection has constructed a 56,000-square-foot addition.
One of St. Petersburg’s oldest hotels has been given new life.
Owner New Hotel Collection decided to expand the Cordova Inn, at 253 2nd Avenue N. A new, adjacent structure has been built by the original 30-room building that opened in 1921. The property now has an additional 65 rooms.
According to New Hotel Collection co-founder and co-CEO Tommy Del Zoppo, a soft launch for guests began last week. The project has been in the works for more than three years.
“When we originally bought the Cordova Inn historic piece, we saw an undervalued asset,” he said. “At that time, we kind of thought that the dynamic of St. Petersburg was changing rapidly.”
Particularly, the age demographic. More young people were visiting or moving to the city, Del Zoppo explained. The construction of the St. Pete Pier, which is near the Cordova Inn, only made the acquisition more attractive.
Del Zoppo and the New Hotel Collection team would purchase the “historic” site in December 2020. “It was a chance to buy an asset in St. Petersburg,” he added, “and restore it to its glory.”
In 2021, New Hotel Collection updated the hotel and opened a coffee and cocktail bar, The Scott, on the property. The name pays homage to the Inn’s original moniker.
When the adjacent Stanton Hotel and Apartments property became available for purchase, Del Zoppo and his colleagues saw an opportunity to preserve the Cordova Inn while modernizing the space for guests.
The site was perfect for a new addition, Del Zoppo said. New Hotel Collection would acquire the “dilapidated” property in 2021 and demolish the existing structures.
Choosing the right size for the expansion was a strategic decision, he added. The 56,000-square-foot building serves as an extension of the 1920s era hotel.
“The last thing we wanted to do was take away from the elegance of the Cordova Inn,” Del Zoppo said. “You don’t want to lose the history of such a wonderful asset.”
However, the project was not easy. Hurricanes Helene and Milton (2024) delayed the process. The New Hotel Collection team also faced supply issues. High interest rates were a concern as well.
Del Zoppo said that the “vision” of the end product served as an inspiration, even when many things were “out of our control.”
One of the key design decisions for the new addition was creating larger rooms. Del Zoppo explained that when he travels, he often has to reserve two adjacent spaces to accommodate his family.
Some of the Cordova Inn’s suites include two bedrooms and a common area. The addition also has larger single room options.
“Families don’t have a place for their children,” he added. “They either have to book another room or stuff everyone together in one room with sofa beds that pull out. It’s just not a great experience.”
A rooftop bar on the property is expected to open later this year, Del Zoppo said, for approximately 260 people. There is also kitchen space on the top of the building. The bottom floor of the addition has a kitchen and dining area as well.
New Hotel Collection is currently exploring restaurateur options. Del Zoppo is considering creating two separate concepts for the Inn.
The team is planning on restoring the “historic” Inn property once the addition is “up and running.” He explained that the rooms will be refreshed and updated. The original Inn remained open during the expansion construction process.
New Hotel Collection also owns Beachside Resort in Indian Shores, Harbourside Resort in Indian Rocks Beach and the Central Hotel in Sevierville, Tennessee.
