The Miramar Resort, built in 1953, was set to be completely demolished when the City of St. Pete Beach approved a $40 million redevelopment of the aging waterfront property in 2021; however, the owner is now scaling back those plans to save the 71-year-old buildings from the wrecking ball.

As the sun was setting Tuesday evening, Miramar Resort owner Kevin Bowden walked around the hotel property at 4200 Gulf Boulevard, pointing out to residents and community stakeholders where a new seven-story 30-unit building will rise just behind the towering dunes shielding the resort.

"Guests want new beds and bathrooms, but want the resort to still have that same historic feeling," said Bowden, who also owns the Cambria Hotel on Madeira Beach.

St. Petersburg architect Jack Bodziak and partner Britt Browne Hayes displayed new renderings revealing a nostalgic 1950s-inspired design for the new 30-unit building and motor court.

This scaled back plan significantly differs from the original vision to construct a modern building and bring 54 new rooms to the property, which city commissioners approved in 2021 under the Mayor Al Johnson’s administration.

The previous approval allowed the developer to build a hotel up to 76 feet in height with a density of over 30 units per acre.

Per the newly revised plans in a modified conditional use permit (CUP), the additional rooms would range from 400 to around 500 square feet and the hotel would feature a rooftop restaurant and bar.

Bowden said the 3,000-square-foot restaurant and bar will be partially enclosed to mitigate noise levels and also host weddings and other private events.

Unlike the Cambria Hotel, there will not be a rooftop pool, but rather a ground-level pool at the base of the building.

The Miramar Resort has two existing pools that will be demolished to make way for the redevelopment.

A guest room fronting the entrance will be converted into a lobby while renovation work on the existing units has already commenced.

The property sits adjacent to a public beach access point, which will not be negatively affected by the construction, Bowden said, also noting how the project will not impact views from the neighboring resorts.

The renovations will also bring the parking count to 50 spaces. 

"A lot of hotels don't need that much parking. Currently, we have 22 spaces and don't have a problem. We are going to be valet-only, which means the parking will be stacked, and we want to control the lot," Bowden said.

"Most people coming to the restaurant and bar to watch the sunset are going to Uber or bike," he explained.

Tuesday’s community meeting was the first step in the development process.

Bowden expects the redevelopment plans to go before the planning board in a month, followed by two city commission meetings.

If approved, construction may start mid-summer and wrap up within a year.

Bodziak and Hayes Architects, the St. Pete-based architect firm Bowden is working with, is also designing the Windward Pass Resort and waterpark on Gulf Boulevard.

The Miramar Resort’s community meeting comes a week after the St. Pete Beach City Commissioners approved TradeWinds' proposed $500 million expansion plan amid long-winded debates and the recently approved conditional use permit for Sirata Beach Resort's expansion that will add two hotels.