The Vinoy
St. Petersburg, FL
BUDGET: $18.5M
OWNER: Marriott Autograph Collection
Built in 1926, the historic Vinoy Resort & Golf Club is an architectural icon of the Tampa Bay shoreline and one of the first waterfront resorts in St. Petersburg, Florida. Throughout the last century, The Vinoy morphed from lavish retreat for the wealthy, to a WWII US Air Force training and living center, and a low-rent boarding house in the 1970s. In 1992, investors restored it once again to its former glory, and The Vinoy was named one of the celebrated Historic Hotels of America. In the latest iteration, The Vinoy underwent an extensive renovation over the last three years to become part of Marriott’s portfolio of Autograph Collection hotels, successfully blending classic elegance with historic charm and luxurious comfort.
Continental Contractors was tasked with the massive undertaking of renovating guestrooms and baths, along with a multi-faceted public space renovation at The Vinoy. The extensive public space project, which began in 2022, spanned many areas of the hotel including the Palm Court Ballroom and Grand Ballroom; the hotel veranda and bar; the pool deck; the Trellis Bar, lobby area and reception; Lottie Market; the spa; and multiple public restrooms throughout the hotel. Continental also renovated the 103 rooms in the Pool Tower, maintaining brand standards as the property transitioned from a Renaissance property to an Autograph Collection hotel. The Vinoy’s Historic Tower’s 258 guestrooms plus corridor required a full renovation while maintaining a 50 percent occupancy rate. The rollout of the guestroom renovation began in September 2020 and was completed in April 2023.
Some high end features in the Historic Tower guestroom renovation included the installation of new wood flooring and millwork portals in the entryway, as well as impressive Italian marble added to the five fixture bathrooms, including inlaid waterjet border designs. All doors and frames in the building were replaced with solid core wood doors, and structural modifications were made to the building’s ribbed deck system on each floor in order to facilitate the addition of new shafts. Guest bathrooms received an 85 percent tub to shower conversion and an extensive upgrade in all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Continental also combined several guestrooms within the Historic Tower into multiple bay suites.
Continental drew upon its vast experience, expertise, and unwavering commitment to quality to provide the best possible service to their clients during this impressive 34-month renovation process. Significant public space upgrades included modifications to and the redesign and installation of several ADA-compliant installations; extensive iron and millwork packages; custom stone and wood finishes; elaborate electrical upgrades, the replacement of decorative and architectural lighting, customized lighting capabilities including dimming systems, and the installation of new audio visual systems in the ballrooms, lobby, spa, and veranda.
The Continental team went to great lengths to ensure that historical aspects of the hotel were properly preserved and carried throughout the space. Examples include the preservation of historic floor tile and cypress ceiling beams in the lobby and the replacement of the beautiful arched windows in the Grand Ballroom, which required the installation of flex molding around the window jambs and engineering of the metal window valance system. The impressive Chihuly chandelier – a centerpiece of the Grand Ballroom – was professionally cleaned, restored, and was upgraded with spot lighting capabilities. As a new Autograph Collection property, every detail was carefully considered by a respected historic preservation expert, who advised throughout the design process.
Structural upgrades were also included in the scope of the renovation for the lobby, ballrooms, and pool deck. Public restrooms and prep kitchens received new plumbing, fixtures, and finishes, and the spa was upgraded with an 850 square foot mechanical room and all new ductwork. Luxurious finishes throughout the property included marble upgrades, new carpet, fresh paint and trim, vinyl wall coverings, wood paneling, and new FF&E. Continental finished the extensive renovation at The Vinoy in April 2023.
