Neptune Beach-based Beach Hospitality Services Inc. bought the Salt Air Motel at 425 Atlantic Blvd. in Atlantic Beach and hopes to renovate it for a Memorial Day weekend opening.
Beach Hospitality Services Inc. bought the property, next to McDonald’s, for $1.37 million. The seller was Nancy McGuire.
Charles "Curt" DeWitt, president of Beach Hospitality Services, said he plans to renovate and refurbish the facilities. He did not have a cost estimate.
He said rental rates will range from from $75 to $300 a night.
The property consists of four structures – three single-story motel buildings totaling 5,302 square feet built in 1946 and a two-story, 1,652-square-foot building developed in 1975.
He said there are eight 400- to 450-square-foot units with kitchenettes and five 250- to 300-square-foot standard hotel rooms. There also is a two-story, three-bedroom house.
“We are cleaning up all of the rooms to a more modern look and building an extra kitchenette suite with a full bathroom in the house,” he said, making it a four-bedroom, 2 1/2-bathroom house.
DeWitt said the main entrance will be directed to the rear of the property on Sturdivant Avenue, allowing creation of a courtyard.
Renovations include adding bedrooms, creating some three-bedroom suites and installing new appliances.
DeWitt said he and co-owner, Kyle Stucki, want to create a family atmosphere.
He said the plans are evolving.
DeWitt also is president of Beach Life Rentals Inc. and plans to open a rental shop at the motel.
Beach Life rents bicycles, paddleboards, boogie boards, surfboards and kayaks as well as tables and chairs for beach use.
Beach Life currently is a mobile service with temporary locations adjacent to some hotels. The motel site will add a stationary location that also sells other beach-related merchandise.
