Clearwater Beach Resort is a laborious, luxurious undertaking

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CLEARWATER — Dynamite imploded the nine-story Spyglass Resort in roughly six seconds. It will take much, much longer to build its replacement. But the new building — two 150-foot tall towers and an armament of amenities — will be much, much grander.

Some time next year, construction will begin on the more than 900,000-square-foot Clearwater Beach Resort & Hotel, a megaproject that will include 250 hotel rooms and suites, as well as, another 200 weekly time-share rooms.

"We're hoping this really transcends Clearwater Beach," said Eric Fordin, vice president of development for the Related Group, a partner to Tampa's Dr. Kiran Patel in the planned development.

The resort also will feature a massive spa, super-sized pool area, grills, a bar, 500 parking spaces and a major restaurant. Additionally, some 25,000 square feet of retail, a ballroom and an outdoor public area with fountains, palm trees and benches will be included.

The resort, which will cost at least $180-million, will replace a handful of mom and pop motels, including the recently imploded Spyglass on S Gulfview Boulevard and Coronado Drive.

It will comprise two 15-story towers on the north and south end, connected by a 95-foot tall building that will feature the pool.

Comments on this article

by deb	Aug 11, 2008 4:17 PM
Last time I checked Jaye the beach is still free. It's about time the dilapidated, moldy, rusty mom and pop motels will go. Maybe now when guests have dinner at a nice restaurant they won't get hit up for change by the unsavory rifraf

by Lisa	Aug 11, 2008 4:04 PM
Clearwater Beach has a major problem with local hospitality personnel. It's like they all have the same social adjustment personality disorder; rude, obnoxious, self-absorbed, apathetic, unprofessional, immature, snide. "I'm too cool to be nice".

by Ralph	Aug 11, 2008 12:21 PM
Thank God those pesky Mom amd Pop hotels are finally out of the way! If all the bluebloods worry about getting good employees , pay a livable wage and hire some Americans for a change.

by IGM	Aug 11, 2008 12:21 PM
What's the allure of the beach? No cruising. No radios. No rollerblading. No T-backs. The motto should be Come On Vacation-Leave On Probation.

by voxy	Aug 9, 2008 9:30 PM
isn't that amazing. I knew before i clicked here it was the feel good doctor and his millions from the robbed taxpayers.

by Beachgoer	Aug 9, 2008 9:30 PM
South Clearwater Beach will be the gem of the west coast if all goes as expected. Hyatt and now the Krian - wish I were younger to be able to enjoy the grandure.

by Beachgoer	Aug 9, 2008 9:30 PM
i agree with Andy, Sandpearl has a way to go, personal changes often occurring, food quality has yet to live up to its promises.

by Honor	Aug 9, 2008 9:30 PM
It is time, Andy, to send some of these employees and their supervisors to charm and ethics school. People are not easy and bad customer service breeds an even more divisive scenario.

by laurel	Aug 9, 2008 9:30 PM
What a shame. Clearwater Beach has become a place that only invites the wealthy. It's not a family friendly beach anymore. Thankfully other beach communities are not doing this.

by jk	Aug 9, 2008 9:30 PM
And Clearwater is such a nasty little spot.

by mike	Aug 9, 2008 9:30 PM
Sand pearl is beautiful but the service, especially in restaurants stink.

by eDITH	Aug 9, 2008 9:30 PM
Finally! What a great addition needed so badly to this area. Ew welcome this project and hope it will be finished in two years

by Edith	Aug 9, 2008 9:29 PM
WE WELCOME THIS BEAUTIFUL PROJECT TO THE BEACH. WE HAVE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACH WHITE SAND ETC. tHIS PROJECT IS A GREAT ADDITION TO THE AREA wE WELCOME THIS RPJECT .

by Jaye	Aug 9, 2008 9:29 PM
They have ruined Clearwater Beach. Regular people can't go there anymore. As a native of CW, I hate what the developers have done to our beach. The allure of CWB was always the BEACH itself.

by mark	Aug 9, 2008 9:29 PM
Hopefully the contractors will hire local tradesmen and less south of border variety.

by Rob	Aug 9, 2008 9:29 PM
Clearwater Beach will become Florida's destination with the addition of this hotel and resort. Get it started as soon as possible. The finishing touches will be with a hotel & resort where the Adams Mark once stood.

by Rob	Aug 9, 2008 9:29 PM
Clearwater Beach will become Florida's destination with this pivotal developement. Along with the Sand Pearl and the new Aquelea opening in 09, the final piece to be developed will be another hotel resort where the Adams Mark once stood.

by Andy	Aug 8, 2008 8:38 PM
The big challenge will be finding quality personnel. Ask the Sandpearl, it STILL has numerous openings for staff positions requiring genuine hospitality talent - something in very short around here. We do have lots of arrogance & incompetence though!

by Bill	Aug 8, 2008 7:57 PM
This will become the JEWEL of the west coast of Florida! What a great idea to couple hotel room with time shares, as this will always provide year round Clearwater Beach the much needed tourism trade that is much needed to the State's best beach.