Hilton closes its doors

The former Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort closed its doors today to guests and is preparing to begin its renovation and expansion project soon.

Longboat Key Club Director of Communications Sandra Rios told the Longboat Observer this morning that Ocean Properties officials submitted all their paperwork. A building permit is the last permit needed to begin work. 

“Renovations will begin soon,” Rios said. “The project will take 14 to 16 months to complete.”

A white tarp was placed over the Hilton sign in June, dubbing the hotel property at 4711 Gulf of Mexico Drive as the Gulfside Beach Resort. Hilton removed its flag from the property and the resort stayed open for more than a month under the new name while final permits were being obtained.

The Hilton project is the first applicant to take advantage of a town-wide 250 tourism unit pool that’s been waiting for applicants to apply for additional units since 2008.

The site plan application submitted calls for redeveloping existing Hilton buildings and the 102-rooms that currently sit on the site, while also acquiring those 85 additional units that would be used for a new tower on the property.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].