Demolition begins at former Longboat Key Hilton

The demolition of the former Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort began Aug. 28, said Sandra Rios, director of communications at the Resort at Longboat Key Club.

The project will take up to 14 months to complete, with site owner Ocean Properties Ltd., parent company of the Longboat Key Club, now another step closer toward building a newly designed hotel on the property.

Ocean Properties believes the project will cost nearly $24 million to complete.

When the Hilton closed July 7, no major work was done at the property until Aug. 1, when Ocean Properties received its demolition permit from the Planning, Zoning and Building Department.

The site-plan application submitted calls for redeveloping existing Hilton buildings and the 102 rooms that are currently on-site, while also acquiring those 85 additional units that would be used for a new tower on the property.

Contact Caleb Motsinger at Caleb@yourobserver.com.