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TradeWinds owners file expansion plans for St. Pete Beach
The owners of St. Pete Beach’s TradeWinds Island Resorts have formally filed plans for a long-awaited project that will expand the property’s footprint.
South Florida-based 1754 Properties, which first discussed a conceptual plan for the redevelopment of its 20-plus-acre resort property in 2021, submitted an application for a conditional use permit Tuesday to the St. Pete Beach City Commission for the grand expansion that will add several buildings and over 600 rooms.
A rendering showing the additional buildings that will house the new guest rooms.
“We believe it’s time to transform the beloved TradeWinds into a property befitting our guests and the wonderful gulf-front property we reside on,” 1754 Properties CEO and founder Joe Smith said in a prepared statement. “We are excited about the opportunity to expand our offerings and also create jobs. Our conversations and presentations to constituents helped us design a project that will benefit the community and resort alike.”
The three-phased project will create a total of 1,596 rooms at the resort and will “include expanded beach access for the public.”
Additionally, the project will create wider sidewalks along Gulf Boulevard and reduce the number of entrances and exits into the TradeWinds property from nine to four, improving the roadway.
The owners will also be investing in a state-of-the-art, multi-million-dollar stormwater system to reduce flooding on Gulf Boulevard.
The project will exceed the expectations and standards the city requires.
The team highlighted that the overall density is below what is permitted under the city’s comprehensive plan, and the new buildings will have a significant setback from Gulf Boulevard, avoiding a “canyon effect” of tall buildings along St. Pete Beach’s main thoroughfare.
The TradeWinds development team for the project includes Nunzio Marc DeSantis Architects, Perry-Becker Design, Harris Civil Engineers, and the local land use law firm of Stearns Weaver Miller.
The group, which said it collected input and feedback from the community for the expansion, did not announce a cost estimate or exact project timeline; however, it will release more details in the coming weeks.
The filing for the plans comes nearly a year after TradeWinds Island Resorts added 141 rooms to its portfolio and new amenities through its acquisition of the Alden Suites, which it incorporated into the RumFish Beach Resort.
Jason krumpos
June 30, 2023at4:39 pm
This project will add approximately 1500 cars possible daily to the already congested SPB roads. It could add 3000 to 6000 more people to the beach. St Pete Beach does not need this. Mayor Petrila, I did not think you were for this expansion.
Richard Bryant Powell
May 9, 2023at5:00 pm
Traffic is horrific already. I both use the Sunrunner and my bike daily. All it takes is for one delivery or one service provider to shut down the right lane, the bus lane or the bike lane. Traffic is down to one lane between Corey and the Don at least three times a week when I travel.
Amy
April 30, 2023at1:41 pm
Jonathan. Excellent point, the developers have extensive resources to try to control the narrative. SPB residents’ quality of life is in jeopardy with the Tradewinds and the pending plans for the Sirata resort. Both projects are represented by the same law firm. SPB residents and other supporters can check out ProtectStPeteBeach.com or follow on Facebook to join the grassroots movement to fight hotel expansion and support responsible renovations.
Jonathan swift
April 27, 2023at10:16 am
The other 2 commenters must be paid ones. Never would this be a good idea. Next it will be a convention center or casino. The traffic is bad already. The sunrunner links the beach with downtown ..nothing more. The beach is owned by everyone. We should protect it
Brenda S.
April 26, 2023at10:22 pm
If you live in Pass-A-Grille and have to go to the Corey Ave. bridge, it will be a 1 hour drive. The Sunrunner can’t take you to a Doctor’s appointment. The SunRunner is good for tourist who want to go down town
Pedro V.
April 26, 2023at8:17 pm
I like this project and hope it has more attractions that were rumored (like the bowling alley). I don’t understand why people are so concerned about the traffic issues. Yes it will attract more people, yes they need a way to get there, yes it is reasonable to not become Clearwater or Miami Beach, but St. Pete Beach has something that the other two don’t: The SunRunner. It is becoming very popular and will garner more people to go to that stop with the expansion (its like the people in St. Pete Beach forgot that a stop existed there), while traffic might be tough at first, with more support for public transportation (and usage of the SunRunner), it will reduce the congestion. If you want to get rid of traffic, get the people out of the car, give them options.
Steve D
April 26, 2023at11:12 am
Great project! Especially the improvements to Gulf Blvd, beach access, and storm water collection, at no taxpayer expense. Let’s hope the St Pete Beach NIMBY’s and new Mayor don’t look this gift horse in the mouth.