Tourism is king in Pinellas County, with millions of visitors flocking to our shores each year to enjoy a beach vacation.
Many of the waterfront hotels and condos that cater to the spring break crowd have been around for decades. But in recent years, we’ve seen a renewed push for development in places like St. Pete Beach and Madeira Beach.
Not everyone is happy about it. Neighborhood residents and environmental groups have decried efforts to pave over the coastline, raising concerns about overcrowding, traffic, habitat destruction and flood risks.
Here’s a rundown of some of the biggest projects to watch on Pinellas County’s shores.
The Beachmaker: Madeira Beach
Crews broke ground on this Marriott Autograph Collection hotel at 15000 Madeira Way last week. Once complete, it will rise eight-stories and feature 171 guest rooms and 10 penthouse residences.
The Beachmaker will be a condo-hotel, meaning each of the units will be sold separately to investors but rented out like traditional hotel rooms.
Construction is expected to take a little under two years to complete, said Jeff Beggins, a broker with Century 21 Real Estate and one of the lead investors behind the project.
This is just the latest phase of the years-long Town Center redevelopment plan. A Cambria Hotel and two condos have already been completed. Still to come: an overhaul of the former Bowden’s Marina.
Sirata Beach Resort expansion: St. Pete Beach
In 2024, the City of St. Pete Beach approved a plan to build two new hotels on the Sirata Beach Resort’s 16-acre site.
Part of the existing resort will be cleared to make way for a 10-story, 290-room JW Marriott and a nine-story, 130-key Hampton Inn. The redesign will more than double the property’s restaurant, retail and conference space.
So far, no building permits have been filed and no groundbreaking has been announced. The owner, Kentucky-based hospitality group Columbia Sussex, did not respond to a request for comment.
Corey Landing: St. Pete Beach
More than four acres of vacant waterfront land at 75 Corey Avenue will be transformed into luxury condos.
The project, headed up by Delray Beach-based developer Kolter, finally won city approval at the end of last year after an earlier version failed to get off the ground.
Corey Landings will feature 129 residences, and 5,840 square feet of retail and 4,000 square feet of restaurant space. There will also be a public waterfront park and 39 boat slips.
Kolter has not yet announced a groundbreaking.
Tradewinds Resort expansion: St. Pete Beach
Tradewinds Resort is getting a $500 million facelift that could take nearly 20 years to complete. The end result will bring 629 rooms, a two-story beachfront restaurant, three outdoor pools, a public viewing terrace and three new beach access points to the more than 40-acre property.
South Florida-based 1754 Properties got approval for the project two years ago. But shortly after, the property incurred significant damage from the 2024 hurricanes.
A spokesperson for the owner said the hotel has largely been restored and that the expansion will not be impacted.
They did not give a date for the groundbreaking. So far, no building permits related to the expansion have been filed.
Viceroy Condo: Clearwater Beach
The Viceroy is slated to become the first new condo to open on Clearwater Beach in over a decade. BH3 Management and US Development will build two nine-story towers at 551 Gulf Blvd. featuring 86 residences in total.
Amenities will include a private beach club, a fitness center, a spa with saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs and cold plunges, a media lounge and sports bar.
Condos range from $1.95 million to $12 million for the grand penthouse.
Sales launched in 2024. Construction is slated to begin later this year.
Marriott Tribute Portfolio Hotel: Madeira Beach
This seven-story project proposed for John’s Pass Village could bring 87 new hotel rooms, 7,550 square feet of retail space, a 3,350-square-foot restaurant and a 1,000-square-foot café.
Other amenities include a rooftop pool, game room, fitness center, multiple terraces and event space.
Local developer Bill Karns first pitched the idea last year. It has undergone several design changes since then. The project is scheduled for a first hearing before the The Madeira Beach Board of Commissioners next month.
If approved, it could break ground within the next eight months, Karns said.
