The 5 Phases to Know About the TradeWinds Expansion in St. Pete Beach, FL

TradeWinds Island Resort is a popular Florida beach resort that has been open since 1963. Our popular establishment welcomes well over one million visitors every year looking to escape city life and relax with their families in a man-made paradise.

The St. Petersburg beach resort has undergone several renovations. However, it’s the latest TradeWinds expansion that has everyone talking.

You might wonder why there’s so much demand for such a large resort in this small ocean-side community. The truth is, TradeWinds Island Resort is a destination in itself.

Adding to the popularity of the beach resort is the changing demographics of the Tampa Bay area. Not only is it the perfect vacation destination attracting global travelers, but it’s also a popular weekend staycation option.

The Florida resort is planning for the next generation of vacationers with new rooms, pool experiences, and state-of-the-art convention amenities.

Are you interested in learning about the amazing additions coming to TradeWinds Island Resorts? Keep reading.

What Does the TradeWinds Expansion Include?

The TradeWinds Island Resorts covers over 25 acres of prime real estate along the beautiful Gulf beaches of west-central Florida. It includes the Island Grand Resort and the RumFish Beach Resort.

When you combine the resorts, there are 897 guest rooms. The Island Grand is the larger of the two resorts, with 545 rooms and ten restaurants and bars. The RumFish provides guests with five additional restaurants.

The greatest draw to the resorts is the beautiful endless beaches. Guests can enjoy fun in the sun with access to nine pools and 642 beachfront cabanas, which are popular on beaches everywhere. With the new TradeWinds expansion plans, the resort will have the capacity to receive more guests and offer greater amenities.

The expansion will come in four phases planned over the next decade. The owners have announced that the renowned architectural firm Nunzio Marc DeSantis Architects is tapped for the project. Although the price tag isn’t known, taxpayers do not have to foot the bill.

The project is utilizing private funding. Here are five things to know about our latest expansion.

1. Phase 1: 2023 – 2024

St. Pete Beach will become home to a world-class resort with the newest expansion projects. The first leg of the TradeWinds Resort expansion will begin within the next year.

A new 12-story hotel will add 154 rooms to the existing property. The hotel will expand its parking access by building a parking garage providing 575 parking spaces.

The new hotel rooms will appeal to guests seeking accommodations for one to two people. They will complement existing rooms that are large enough for families.

The hotel will have quick access to one of the three new pools.

2. Phase 2: 2028 – 2029

In 2028 the construction will begin for phase two, which includes an 11-story hotel with 261 hotel rooms and a 736-vehicle parking garage. The second of three new family-themed pools will have quick access from this hotel.

Also included in phase 2 is a 33,000 square feet conference center that will have a 20,000 square feet grand ballroom. Conference space will include the newest technology making the space highly marketable for global conferences.

This section of the TradeWinds expansion plans will also include new retail space.

3. Phase 3: 2032 – 2034

Next on the master plan for the TradeWinds Resort expansion along St. Pete Beach is the third new hotel. This facility will rise twelve stories, host 235 rooms, and add 297 additional parking spaces.

It will also have easy access to a new swimming pool and offer retail space.

4. Phase 4: 2032 – 2034

The TradeWinds expansion project will conclude with a new two-story lobby and a thirty-four-space parking deck.

The TradeWinds expansion project will eliminate entry points from busy Gulf Boulevard to alleviate community concerns regarding traffic flow. Instead, we will build a frontage road inside the property for arriving guests who will enter via the main entry point.

5. TradeWinds Expansion Plans Benefit the Community

Two of the biggest benefits of the TradeWinds resort expansion is its impact on the economy. The added capacity is projected to create at least 300 jobs. Plus, the anticipated boost to the annual tax roles for St. Petersburg Beach could reach $19 million.

More visitors to the area will definitely boost the overall economy and boost new business opportunities. It can also lead to new competitive development among existing hotels and beach resorts.

The design of the expansion and the addition of parking garages will allow the project to build on existing parking lots around the property. The only demolition proposed in the current plans is an outdated two-story building.

Recap

When the project is completed in approximately 2034, it will include the following:

• 850,000 square feet of new resort space
• 650 new premier guest rooms over three new buildings
• 33,000 square feet of conference space
• 20,000 square foot grand ballroom
• 18,000 square feet of retail space
• Three large swimming pools with slides
• Bridges to connect all pools
• Proposed bowling alley
• Flowrider wave experience
• Three garages with over 1600 parking spaces

The beauty of the project doesn’t stop there. There are plans to create scenic access to the Gulf beaches. Guests will have use of a 30-foot-wide beautifully landscaped pathway to the beach. For the first time, allow public access from the Tradewinds Resorts property.

The project also calls for 10-foot-wide paved sidewalks along Gulf Boulevard, with lighting for visitors’ safety. TradeWinds Island Resorts expects to maintain the sidewalk at no cost to the city or residents.

TradeWinds Island Resorts are Making Room for You!

The next-generation TradeWinds expansion is more than new buildings. It will provide an awesome beach experience for guests, local and from afar. Plus, the project will benefit St. Petersburg Beach in multiple ways.

One concern that will alleviate the concerns of residents is a sophisticated multi-million-dollar stormwater drainage system. Rest assured, great consideration has gone into the planning and design process.

Do you still have questions about the TradeWinds expansion project? Check out our FAQs page to learn more.