JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – A real estate development firm founded in Jacksonville has announced its plans to redevelop the century-old Casa Marina Hotel in Jacksonville Beach, in addition to building either a retail and residential space or a hotel across the street.
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According to our news partners at the Jacksonville Daily Record, Corner Lot, which was founded in Jacksonville in 2009, on Tuesday revealed plans to “preserve the hotel’s historic character while adding new amenities to enhance the guest experience.”
Casa Marina Hotel and Restaurant in Jacksonville Beach. (Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)
The company added that it intends to buy the hotel from Elias Hionides of the Petra real estate firm, who bought the property over 20 years ago for a little over $4 million.
“The Casa Marina Hotel has been part of this community’s fabric for nearly 100 years. Our goal is to preserve its legacy while enhancing the surrounding area in a way that reflects the energy, character, and potential of Jacksonville Beach. I’d also like to thank the Hionides family for seeing eye to eye with us in making this vision one step closer to reality,” Corner Lot said in a news release.
Casa Marina Hotel, 691 First St, is expected to close at the beginning of 2026 as redevelopment occurs.
The Casa Marina Hotel is at 691 First St. N. south of the Margaritaville Beach Hotel. Corner Lot plans to redevelop the hotel along with the property across the street. (Jacksonville Daily Record)
Jacksonville Daily Record reports that the redevelopment project team includes:
• Architect: Robbins Design Studio and Bold Line Design.
• Hospitality Partners: Sage Hospitality and Kelco Hotels.
• Legal: Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne & Diebenow, PLLC.
Additionally, Corner Lot said a five-story building is planned for the 0.9-acre site across the street from Casa Marina, which is expected to include a first-floor retail space, a parking garage, surface parking.
Plans for the remaining four floors have not been revealed, but it could become home to either 36 condos or a 125-room hotel, JDR reports.
“As part of the [June 16] rezoning agreement, Corner Lot said the retail portion will not include stand-alone bars, lounges, nightclubs, or taverns,” the media outlet wrote. “However, a licensed hotel would be able to have a bar in its restaurant area.”
Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
