A few years into new branding, the 45-year-old Southbank hotel that now is a Delta by Marriott franchise is completing a renovation to update and upgrade public spaces and some guest rooms.
The city issued permits Feb. 17-20 for a $2.05 million renovation at the 1515 Prudential Drive hotel. Compton Builders Inc. of Kissimmee is the contractor.
“We are delighted to now move forward with the full project,” said Bernie Moyle, managing partner of the Southbank Hotel & Conference Center, a Delta by Marriott franchisee, by email Feb. 22.
The five-story, 322-room full-service hotel is called the Southbank Hotel by Marriott Jacksonville Riverwalk.
It was built in 1981 as a Sheraton and also has operated as a Radisson and a Wyndham.
Marriott announced in June 2020 that it reopened what had most recently been the Lexington Hotel & Conference Center as the Southbank Hotel at Jacksonville Riverwalk.
Marriott said the hotel, which was renovated in 2018, would receive “additional enhancements.”
A news release at the time said the hotel was owned by LexDevCo Jax LLC and managed by Real Hospitality Group in conjunction with Cal-Vegas Ltd. through a franchise agreement with Marriott International Inc.
Moyle was president of Cal Vegas Ltd.
He also is president of Coral Springs-based LexDevCoJax Inc., which paid $9 million for the hotel June 1, 2015, and renovated it. It changed the flag from Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk Hotel to the Lexington Hotel & Conference Center Jacksonville Riverwalk.
Lexington was a Vantage Hospitality brand.
Moyle said Feb. 22 the project architects, interior designers, project manager and on-site staff have been working with Marriott’s design team since last year to finalize the concepts “in keeping with the Delta by Marriott branding and themes for guest expectations.”
Now, he said, the general contractor, project manager and procurement team “can proceed post-haste to complete the renovations.”
“We are focusing on public spaces while also adding certain updates and amenities to the guest rooms,” Moyle said.
Public space upgrades include a barista in the lobby; an expanded and updated fitness center; new pool lounging, chatting, and sunning arrangements and seating; updates to the furniture and decor in the bar/lounge area; and new flooring, lighting and seating in the lobby.
Moyle said the upgrades are “making it generally more comfortable and engaging and convenient space not only for checking in and out but also for impromptu meetings, conversations or catching up on emails.”
Higher-level Marriott Bonvoy members will be offered a “Grab-n-go Pantry” on the fourth floor.
Moyle said the hotel has more than 40,000 square feet of meeting space.
The 10,000-square-foot grand ballroom will receive upgraded lighting and an improved sound system. He said the 19-plus break-out rooms have been updated. The hotel website says there are 22 meeting rooms.
The work includes renovating the public restrooms at the conference center and near the lobby.