Don CeSar on St. Pete Beach unveils Phase 2 of renovations
By Veronica Brezina-Smith
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Feb 14, 2019

The historic "Pink Palace" resort that sits ashore St. Pete Beach since 1928 is undergoing massive renovations and has debuted its Phase 2.

Phase 2 of the Don CeSar's multi-stage renovations includes an expansive redo to the meeting spaces, new artwork, carpeting and paint schemes, lighting, drapery and furniture.

"The design transformation is further invigorated by the hotel's beachfront location while looking to Maritana, the opera's gypsy street singer female lead, as its muse.

The Grand Ballroom's carpet is meant to emulate the sweeping motion of a Spanish dancer's flowing gown, while crystal chandeliers hang just as they do in some of the world's most admired opera houses," according to a Thursday news release.

"There is also a specially curated collection of F. Scott Fitzgerald books open to pages of his famous literary style. Completing the room, historic imagery wraps the story together as they display the property's colorful history."

In late 2019, The resort will complete its property-wide renovations with Phase 3, which will include the Lobby Bar, Uncle Andy's Ice Cream Parlor, Maritana Grille, Sea Porch and the Beach House Suites exterior spaces, the release states.

Phase 1 of the project included renovations of 70 bedroom suites at the Beach House Suites by the Don CeSar. Coral Gables-based interior design firm Edge of Architecture is leading the redesign of Beach House Suites and the Don CeSar.

The St. Pete area has been seeing an uptick of hospitality activity. Recently, two resorts on St. Pete Beach - The Grand Plaza Hotel and Beachcomber Beach Resort Hotel - have been sold to a venture led by Gencom, a Miami-based group that owns real estate around the globe. Benchmark will manage both properties.

Additionally, the billionaire developer behind plans for a 50-story mixed-use tower in downtown St. Petersburg unveiled plans for the site that includes 200 hotel rooms.