Westin coming to St. Augustine

The Florida Times-Union

January 17, 2008

Westin coming to St. Augustine


By MARCIA LANE,
St. Augustine Record


ST. AUGUSTINE - A Westin Hotel, one of the most exclusive hoteliers in the county, will anchor the San Sebastian Harbor Resort project, ending months of speculation over what hotel will locate there.

What that means for St. Augustine will be a luxury resort with worldwide name recognition and a clientele expected to generate more tourism dollars for the city.

"The Westin is a perfect fit for the San Sebastian Harbor Resort," said Wally Devlin, CEO of The Devlin Group Inc. He recently said negotiations were under way with an upscale hotel company, but declined to name that company until Wednesday.

On Wednesday, San Sebastian Harbor Resort LLC, a subsidiary of The Devlin Cos., announced it had entered an agreement with Westin Operator LLC, a subsidiary of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc.

"The hotel will provide guests with a wonderful place to rest their heads and relax as they enjoy the nation's oldest city. It will also help to attract more tourism dollars to St. Augustine," Devlin said.

Westin Hotels & Resorts has 155 hotels and resorts in more than 31 countries and territories and is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.

Starwood is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 850 properties in more than 95 counties and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties.

Construction for the $200 million project is expected to start this fall and be completed by fall 2010.

The Westin St. Augustine and The Residences at The Westin St. Augustine will be located on the nearly 13-acre site along the San Sebastian River in the heart of historic St. Augustine. The project will be just off King Street.

According to a Devlin press release, there will be a convention center for business meetings or special events at the hotel. That's expected to attract a business clientele to the area and may help to extend people's stays.

Also expected to attract visitors will be a luxury spa and high-end retail shops.

Westin St. Augustine will provide Heavenly Bed and Bath, an exclusive Westin offering, for its guests. In-room spa treatments and the Westin Workout are part of the offering.

Also on the nearly 13-acre site off King Street will be upscale condominiums to be known as The Residences at The Westin St. Augustine. A 65-slip marina with boardwalk promenade is planned also.

Mark Knight, city planning and building department director, said the Devlin group has asked for a 90-day extension for the San Sebastian's building permit. He said that was so they could find a new contractor.

"We're holding the project and waiting for them," Knight said.

Devlin officials said while they are seeking a new contractor, the extension was not for that reason, but in order for plans to reflect the new agreement with Westin.

Knight said the developer had scratched plans for construction of office and retail space at San Marco and May Street.

If Devlin pursues the project in the future, he will have to go through the approval process again with the city.


This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/011708/met_237260677.shtml.