An iconic resort that faced the brunt of back-to-back hurricanes will be demolished and rebuilt, sparking concern that the decades-old Florida staple will lose its nostalgic charm.
The Thunderbird Beach Resort, located west of St. Petersburg on Treasure Island, sustained severe damage during Hurricanes Helene and Milton – which both caused widespread devastation last year.
With roughly 80 percent of the retro-styled beachfront hotel decimated, its owners were left with no choice but to make the distressing call.
‘Sadly, the back-to-back hurricanes that struck our coast last year caused catastrophic damage to the property,’ owners Avi & Gilad Ovaknin wrote in a statement in April.
‘After extensive evaluations and much deliberation, we were left with no choice but to move forward with a full redevelopment of the hotel.’
The Ovaknins added they were ‘heartbroken by the loss’ of the flagship structure, which has been a coveted family-friendly vacation spot since it opened in 1957, but will do their best to preserve its ‘heart, soul, and charm.’
Thunderbird guests were also disheartened by the news, but were ultimately relieved that the hotel would be rebuilt.
‘Breaks my heart. Been taking me family for decades. Mother’s Day weeks, graduations, and family getaways. We will be awaiting the grand opening,’ one woman reacted on Facebook.
Originally, the resort was called the Thunderbird Motel (pictured in 1959). It consisted of 64 rooms and cost $750,000 to build
The Thunderbird Resort, located west of St. Petersburg on Treasure Island, sustained severe damage during Hurricanes Helene and Milton (pictured: the resort after Milton)
Another user said he hoped developers would be able to keep some of the resort’s trademark features, including its unmistakable neon sign and the Thunderbird painted on the bottom of one of its pools.
‘I do hope that along with the original signage, that you will put another Thunderbird in the pool,’ he wrote.
‘I have been coming there since the 1960’s and both the big sign and the Thunderbird in the pool always thrilled me as a child.’
Someone claimed they have stayed at the resort every time they visited Treasure Island for the past decade.
She added she knows ‘it won’t be the same sweet 1950’s style motel’ but is optimistic for the new design.
‘This just breaks my heart, but I hope what you build honors the historical nature, and has character – well being safer, and more resistant to future flooding,’ another added.
Hundreds of people have been sharing their fond memories of their relaxing getaways spent swimming in the Thunderbird’s two heated pools and getting drinks at its popular tiki bar.
Originally, the resort was called the Thunderbird Motel. It consisted of 64 rooms and cost $750,000 to build, St. Pete Rising reported.
The Thunderbird Beach Resort has been a family-friendly vacation spot since it opened in 1957 (pictured: a couple looking onto the beach from the resort)
Another user said he hoped developers would be able to keep some of the resort’s trademark features, including the Thunderbird painted on the bottom of one of its pools (pictured)
It became the Thunderbird Beach Resort around 2006, the according to StPeteCatalyst, and grew to 106 hotel rooms throughout two and three story buildings.
When developers first drew up plans for the hotels post-hurricane makeover, the design included the same number of rooms, but in one four-story building.
These plans included U-shaped structure with three levels sitting atop a 124-sqaure-foot parking garage and featuring a 1,750-square-foot lobby and office area.
But since sharing that design in April, the owners have expressed intent to grow Thunderbird into an even larger resort.
‘Putting 106 units on this land doesn’t really pencil out,’ Gilad told St. Pete Rising.
‘In order to justify [the development], it’s going to require a little bit more units.’
He hopes to drastically expand the vacation spot to 160 or 170 units, Thunderbird Beach Resort Manager Donna Jollimore told the outlet.
Although the city’s code technically does not allow for the new hotel to exceed its previous 106 rooms, Treasure Island board members have been supportive of the massive change.
The timeline for the demolition and exact rebuild plans remains unclear, but owners have eased some worries by declaring the trademark neon sign (pictured) will remain
The Thunderbird Beach Resort had 106 guest rooms across multiple two or three-story buildings (pictured: the resort’s roof)
‘It’s ok to bring us some stuff that’s outside the box. Because if you look around, we need it. We can’t live the way that we have for the last 30 years,’ alternate board member Mark Zdrojewski said.
‘You can put a Ferris wheel on top and I’d probably say yes.’
The Treasure Island Board said it is actively working with the Ovaknins’ owners to make these expansive dreams come true.
Increasing the room count may require a provision in the city’s plan, St. Pete Rising reported.
The timeline for the demolition and exact rebuild plans remains unclear, but owners have eased some worries by declaring the trademark neon sign will remain.
‘Our new plans reflect a thoughtful balance of preservation and progress. While the structure and layout will evolve, the spirit of the Thunderbird will live on,’ they wrote.
