Hotel Hacienda Update

HACIENDA HOTEL

5621 Main St, New Port Richey, FL 34652

Back on February 1st, I wrote about the restoration/renovation of Hotel Hacienda in New Port Richey, Florida. At that time they were planning a grand opening in March. The latest article on the hotel in the Spectrum Bay News 9 now says May. Since they have not hired any management for the hotel, that may be an optimistic guess. I know that to have a grand opening, full staff must be hired and trained.

This is a renovation/restoration which takes longer than a renovation. If you’ve watched HGTV, you know that a renovation starts with ripping out most old things and replacing with new. A restoration starts with trying to keep as much architectural and historical detail as possible. This process takes longer and usually costs more than starting from scratch. According to owner and developer, Jim Gunderson, “Over 85% of the woodworking in the entire building had to be taken out just strictly due to moisture damage and things that have just been neglected through the years.” Gamez said the restored lobby chandeliers are the same ones that greeted guests in 1927. All mouldings are original, and the top of the bar in what will be the hotel’s full-service restaurant is made with reclaimed wood taken from other parts of the building during construction.  Then the pandemic and supply chain issues greatly slowed down the process.

I’ll post again when the hotel has a grand opening. I can’ wait to see the beautiful Art Deco features from the 1920’s.

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