Beachwalk Welcomes Margaritaville: “It’s Always 5 O’Clock Somewhere!”
Starting in 2025, every hour will feel like 5 o’clock in the exciting Beachwalk community, as the long-awaited Margaritaville hotel brings the vacation spirit to St. Johns County.
- Beachwalk Welcomes Margaritaville: “It’s Always 5 O’Clock Somewhere!”
- Exciting Changes Ahead: Margaritaville Hotel Expands in Beachwalk
A Tropical Retreat at Beachwalk’s Crystal Lagoon
Construction of the COMPASS by Margaritaville hotel is set to begin in early 2024, with an expected grand opening in the second quarter of 2025. The hotel will be situated in the heart of Beachwalk, a planned development known for its 14-acre Crystal Lagoon, adding to the community’s vibrant offerings.
Beachwalk Retail Center LLC, a partnership between PEBB Enterprises and Falcone Group, will be spearheading this project, making it the second Margaritaville location in Northeast Florida.
A 47-Acre Hub of Dining, Shopping, and Leisure
The hotel will be part of a larger 47-acre expansion in Beachwalk, which also includes:
- Restaurants and Retail: Dining options that match the laid-back island lifestyle Margaritaville is famous for.
- 348-Unit Apartment Community: Modern apartments opening later in 2025 to accommodate residents looking to live near the lagoon.
This addition to Beachwalk promises a complete lifestyle experience, blending relaxation with convenience.
Learn more about Beachside, the high school of Beachwalk.
Margaritaville’s Journey to Northeast Florida
The Margaritaville brand has come a long way from the catchy song by Jimmy Buffett, evolving into a lifestyle of its own. Here’s a look at the brand’s growing footprint in Florida:
Margaritaville Jacksonville Beach – Opened in January 2021
The first Margaritaville Beach Hotel in Northeast Florida opened its doors on January 26, 2021. Located at 715 1st St. N., Jacksonville Beach, this $50 million beachfront resort features:
- 202 Guest Rooms and Suites
- LandShark Bar & Grill: A two-story dining space capturing the relaxed, beachy vibe that Margaritaville fans adore.
We have been to this location many times and it is rated 10/10 by our staff
Coming Soon: COMPASS by Margaritaville at Beachwalk
As the second Margaritaville hotel in Northeast Florida, the COMPASS at Beachwalk will provide residents and visitors with yet another place to indulge in the Jimmy Buffett lifestyle.
Latitude Margaritaville in Daytona Beach
In 2018, Margaritaville launched Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach, a 55-and-older community that quickly became a haven for retirees. With nearly 4,000 homes planned, this community offers a laid-back, tropical lifestyle tailored to those ready to embrace every moment.
What This Means for St. Johns County
Beachwalk’s new Margaritaville will not only draw visitors but also elevate the area’s appeal as a top destination for relaxation and fun. From the luxurious hotel suites to nearby retail and dining options, St. Johns County is set to become a hotspot where it’s always 5 o’clock!
With 2024 just around the corner, locals and tourists alike can start preparing to “live life like a song” at Beachwalk’s Margaritaville.
Exciting Changes Ahead: Margaritaville Hotel Expands in Beachwalk
Starting in 2024, Beachwalk will welcome a true tropical escape as the COMPASS by Margaritaville hotel adds even more rooms and amenities to its already anticipated development in northern St. Johns County.
Updated Plans for a Bigger Margaritaville Experience
More than two years after the project’s initial announcement, the plans for Beachwalk’s Margaritaville hotel are advancing with expanded offerings. On October 17, the county’s Planning and Zoning Agency approved key modifications to the project, increasing the hotel’s room capacity from 150 to 200, including:
- 68 Short-Term Stay Cottages: Each cottage accommodates up to six bedrooms, adding flexibility for families and groups.
- Five-Story Boutique Hotel: Featuring 132 rooms overlooking the beautiful Crystal Lagoon, situated on the southwest end.
This recent vote of 5-2 from agency members will allow for the development of these additional cottages, with management of cleaning, trash, and landscaping overseen by the hotel’s team.
Development Details: A Tropical Village Setting
Project representative Ellen Avery-Smith of Rogers Towers confirmed that the new cottages at Beachwalk’s Margaritaville will have a look and feel similar to the popular Margaritaville Orlando Resort Hotel. However, unlike timeshares, these cottages cannot be occupied by the same guests for more than three consecutive months.
The project is led by Beachwalk Retail Center LLC, a collaboration between PEBB Enterprises and Falcone Group, both of Boca Raton. PEBB President and CEO Ian Weiner expressed confidence in Margaritaville’s appeal, saying, “We could not have picked a better brand – and joint venture partner – for PEBB’s first ground-up hotel development.”
In exchange for increasing hotel room numbers, the plans call for a reduction of 7,900 square feet of commercial space, bringing the overall commercial use at Beachwalk to 1,002,236 square feet.
About the Development Partners
PEBB Enterprises
Based in Boca Raton, PEBB Enterprises is a full-service real estate investment firm with a nationwide portfolio of projects. Beachwalk represents PEBB’s first ground-up hotel project, in partnership with Margaritaville’s world-renowned hospitality.
Falcone Group
Also headquartered in Boca Raton, Falcone Group brings over 40 years of expertise in large-scale developments, including projects like the Margaritaville Orlando Resort. Known for its innovation, the Falcone Group’s ventures have made lasting impacts nationwide.
Beachwalk Margaritaville: A Welcome Addition to St. Johns County
The expansion at Beachwalk is set to make it a premier destination for locals and visitors alike, drawing comparisons to the popular Margaritaville Orlando Resort, which offers an array of cottages and villas for purchase as vacation rentals or residences.
Additional Margaritaville Locations on the Horizon
In addition to St. Johns County, Margaritaville’s expansion continues with COMPASS hotels in Flagler Beach, Beaufort, North Carolina, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Current open locations include Naples and Anna Maria Sound in Florida, as well as Medford, Oregon.
With the final decision pending from the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners, the future of Margaritaville at Beachwalk is bright, promising a paradise-like getaway in St. Johns County where it’s always “5 o’clock somewhere!”
