Soon after the sale of the home to an additional developer fell through following a incredibly general public battle with neighbors, the Magic Seaside Motel in Vilano Beach has been offered.
But the new homeowners — a boutique hotel administration company — say they have no plans at this time to alter the iconic classic motel, apart from some normal repairs and renovations.
“At the moment, we are just targeted on operating the residence,” explained Sonny Bhikha, a principal with Shivam Attributes.
Vilano h2o taxi:Drinking water shuttle service launches to transport tourists, locals around St. Augustine
Additional on the Magic Beach front:Magic Seashore Motel sale falls through following County Fee denies layout acceptance software
Critical Intercontinental, a Miami-based developer, had planned to get the Magic Beach front Motel and turn it into the 194-home Vilano Seashore Lodge. The agency backed out of the deal last December right after the St. Johns County Commission voted 4- to deny its style and design application. Important Intercontinental is the same business behind the Embassy Suites in St. Augustine Beach.
On Might 9, Shivam Attributes finalized the $3.8 million transaction to acquire the 24-space motor lodge at 50 Vilano Road from Earl and Remy Jensen who have owned it since 2010.
The company also manages motels and resorts in Jacksonville Seaside, where by it is based, as nicely as the Rodeway Inn on Ponce de Leon Blvd. in St. Augustine.
Commonly, Shivam Houses buys a franchise of a nationwide chain and then refurbishes it with sleek, fashionable amenities.
“You will find this sort of a demand for motels that are not cookie-cutter,” Bhikha stated. “We noticed the possibility below and just kind of moved on from there.”
Shivam Qualities has by now taken over administration of the Magic Seaside Motel and is continuing operations as typical, which include honoring former reservations.
Magic Beach Motel received its title from its use as a set location for the 1999 Warner Brothers Television series “Safe Harbor,” starring Emmy winner and Golden World nominee Rue McClanahan. Also showcasing Gregory Harrison, the collection was about a sheriff and father of three boys dwelling in Magic Beach, Florida, a fictional city.
The motel, built in 1951, options Artwork Deco style and has turn into a local community fixture in Vilano.
Neighbors established the North Seashore Neighborhood Alliance, a team of citizens and neighborhood tiny corporations, in 2021 to tackle problems more than a improvement they considered could negatively influence the ecosystem and high quality of daily life.
Past August, the team place out a petition asking the county suspend permits for professional and mixed-use developments in Vilano Beach Town Centre which garnered virtually 700 signatures. Area citizens also spoke out at the very first preparing conferences in which Essential International floated the thought of the 194-place resort.
Michael Clare-Salzler, a 10-12 months Vilano resident who does not belong to the North Seashore Neighborhood Alliance but is concerned about overdevelopment, spoke to The Report on Wednesday.
Clare-Salzler reported he not read about the obtain of the Magic Beach front Motel by new entrepreneurs. When presented a description of the new owner’s designs for the house, Clare-Salzler explained, “Properly, which is excellent information to hear.”
In current years, the Vilano place has develop into much more commercially designed.
In addition to present inns and Airbnb rentals, the 50-room Holiday Inn Express has opened and a Hyatt Position 120-space resort will open this drop.
To Bhikha’s mind, competitiveness is fantastic and he can comprehend why travelers discover the area appealing.
“The whole Vilano Seaside is walkable, safe and sound and a put wherever men and women want to occur disconnect,” Bhikha stated.