St. Augustine — Showcased as modern luxury in St. Augustine’s historic downtown, The Renaissance, a 20-million dollar, three-year hotel in the making, has finally opened its doors.
Touting king suites with electric fireplaces, modern amenities, balconies with rocking chairs, event space, a Starbucks, a bar and a restaurant, the Jalarm Hotel is steps away from the Ancient City’s most lively locations. The 6 W. Castillo Drive address can even be googled at 0.0 miles from downtown St. Augustine.
Created by developer Kanti Patel, a local hotelier and long-time St. Augustine resident, the 89-room space is off to a banner start with weekends booking at almost full capacity, according to Troy Blevins, the director of development and public relations for Jalaram Hotels.
Blevins described the edifice as an architectural tribute to three local hotels that existed in the 1890s - The Hotel San Marco, The Barcelona and The Spear Mansion, also known as the Magnolia.
The Hotel San Marco, which sat on the existing site, was built in 1885 and burned to the ground by what newspapers noted as “no accident” in 1897. Some locals pointed the finger at Henry Flagler, insinuating that he wanted to eliminate all competition for his Hotel Ponce de Leon, converted to what now stands as Flagler College. The fire had been mysteriously set. Alarm bell ropes had been severed and holes were discovered in the fire hydrant suction hoses. Damages translated to what today would amount to a $7 million loss.
The space became many things, including at parking garage, until 2008 when Patel joined forces with architect Jerry Dixon who decided to replicate three hotels into one.
Blevins said that Patel and Dixon were determined to protect the image of St. Augustine “and not put up a box.”
“We did everything to stay connected to the neighborhood, the fort, and downtown St. Augustine,” he said. “The outside looks old but the inside is all modern with bits and pieces of St. Augustine as you walk through.”
While the onset of COVID 19 slowed construction to a “snail pace,” movement in and around the hotel is now measuring up to be a “banner year.”
“We’ve been welcomed by everyone in the area, especially the local business on San Marco Avenue,” continued Blevin.
“Everyone is hoping that we bring a whole new intention to the North City.”
Blevin, who also sits on the Tourist Development Board for St. Johns County, remains hopeful that the Renaissance is “on track with St. Johns County Tourism to be on pace with 2021 as a record breaking year.”
Dominating the corner of West Castillo Drive and San Marco Avenue the property also includes a bar and restaurant called The Castillo, which are both open to the public and not just hotel guests; a library, pool and underground parking for guests.