Developers plan grand expansion for historic Cordova Inn

The historic Cordova Inn boutique hotel, the oldest hotel in St. Pete, is expected to undergo a massive expansion that will bring additional rooms, a new restaurant, a rooftop bar and more to the downtown property. 

The 12,200-square-foot Cordova Inn, situated at 253 2nd Ave. N., was built in 1921 and has 32 units. New Hotel Collection’s plans with the city indicate an increase of 62 rooms. With the new amenities and offerings, the proposed expansion represents an addition that will add 38,200 square feet and more parking spaces.  

The expansion would create a total of 50,400 square feet inside the 100-year-old hotel. 

A rendering of the expansion for the Cordova Inn. The rendering was provided by B2 Communications.

“With downtown St. Petersburg drawing more and more visitors, this is an excellent time to expand the Cordova Inn. The larger hotel will better handle groups that want blocks of rooms, and we’ll now be able to offer larger suites that are a good fit for families,” said Kyle Parks, a principal with B2 Communications who acts as a spokesperson for the group. 

He added that Tim Clemmons and Greg Glenn of Place Architecture have designed a modern and functional addition that matches the look and feel of the classic Cordova Inn. 

Due to the historic designation of the Cordova Inn, the expansion requires that a certificate of appropriateness must be approved by the Community Planning and Preservation Commission, which will review the COA application on Oct. 12. The CPPC’s approval, which includes the site plan, is required for the project to move forward.

The New Hotel Collection group had acquired the property last year from entrepreneur Steve Gianfilippo – he sold the Cordova Inn property to the group in December for $3 million, according to Pinellas County property records.

Earlier this year, the New Hotel Collection team opened The Scott, a craft coffee and classic cocktail bar inside the hotel, which has garnered popularity since its opening. 

A section of the lobby at New Hotel Cordova Inn that was converted into The Scott. 

At that time, New Hotel Collection founder and Chief Investment Officer Tommy Del Zoppo said the group was also in the process of renovating the hotel rooms while retaining the historical charm and features. 

New Hotel Collection’s other properties include a hotel within the Harbourside Resort in Indian Rocks Beach, Beachside Resort in Indian Shores, as well as The Historic Central Hotel in Sevierville, Tennessee.