The Vinoy St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club last month unveiled its completely redesigned Palm Court Ballroom and Vinoy Grand Ballroom. The upgrades are part of an ambitious renovation plan, announced last fall, that also includes the downtown resort’s veranda, porte cochère, main lobby, guest rooms, spa, and restaurants.

At its 13.5-acre property at 450 7th Avenue Northeast in downtown St. Pete, The Vinoy boasts 361 hotel rooms, over 40,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor event space, a 5,000-square-foot fitness center and spa, a 72-slip marina, multiple bars and restaurants, and a 10-court tennis center. It also operates an 18-hole golf course on Snell Isle.

The Vinoy is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Over the past few years, it’s been through multiple rounds of renovation, including a $50 million redevelopment of one of its hotel towers in 2017.

The renovations coincide with the property’s upcoming rebranding, in early 2023, as a Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel. The Vinoy was previously affiliated with the Renaissance flag, another Marriott brand, but joining the Autograph Collection elevates it to a more exclusive status: Only 200 boutique hotels worldwide carry that designation.

The Autograph Collection, Marriott states on its website, consists of “independent hotels handpicked for originality and passion in their every expression.”

“With The Vinoy’s comprehensive renovations underway, we’re looking forward to joining Marriott’s Autograph Collection as the historic resort enters the next chapter of its nearly 100-year legacy in downtown St. Petersburg,” said Vanessa Williams, the general manager of The Vinoy, in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

“The Vinoy’s timeless elegance and rich history fit naturally with the Autograph Collection’s ethos of hotels and resorts with vibrant character and distinct identity,” Williams added.

The recently renovated Palm Court and Vinoy Grand Ballrooms retain their old Florida grandeur but have been “refreshed” by renowned architecture firm Rockwell Group so they can accommodate a wide range of events, including business retreats, weddings, conferences, gala celebrations, and other social gatherings.

At 11,520 square feet and a capacity of 1,000 guests, the Palm Court Ballroom is The Vinoy’s largest event space. The ballroom’s makeover includes brand-new flooring, walls, and recessed ceilings. Art deco chandeliers and sconces are evocative of the 97-year-old club’s rich history, while polished brown accents create a warm, inviting atmosphere.

The 6,120-square-foot Vinoy Grand Ballroom has been revamped with new carpeting, drapery, and other furnishings that complement the space’s light, airy atmosphere. A living wall, complete with native tropical plant life, has been installed just outside the ballroom and can be viewed through the space’s large arched windows.

The renovation of the Grand Ballroom also includes a restoration of the space’s most iconic feature — a massive, blown-glass chandelier created by renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly that serves as the room’s dramatic focal point.

With the ballroom renovations complete, upgrades to the Vinoy’s veranda, porte cochère, main lobby, guest rooms, spa, and restaurants remain underway.

The goal of the extensive renovations is to reestablish the original design intent of the resort’s architect, Henry L. Taylor, who was commissioned by founder Aymer Vinoy Laughner to create a Mediterranean Revival-style destination resort overlooking Tampa Bay.

Architects for the project are Hart Howerton of New York City and San Francisco. The firm will also provide landscape architecture, overseeing redevelopment of the resort grounds and functional improvements to the arrival court. Interior designers for the spaces within the building are Rockwell Group of New York City.

The proposed rehabilitation plan results from ownership’s commitment to three objectives.

First, to preserve and restore the building’s original materials, details, and features, using the best means applicable, to ensure its longevity for future generations of guests.

Second, to resolve inappropriate prior alterations and additions and to do so guided by Taylor’s original vision and design intent.

Third, to make discrete, incremental modifications that strengthen The Vinoy’s relationship with the city at large — with Beach Drive, Straub Park, and the North Yacht Basin — for the purpose of welcoming and engaging the local community.

Historic photography and postcards reinforce Taylor’s original intent that The Vinoy itself should act as a portal to the city, to the park, to the harbor, and to the pier beyond, and he designed it as a heroic civic gesture to greet visitors from a great distance arriving from all directions, on foot, by car, or by boat.

Although renovations are underway, an expected completion date is not available at this time.