DESTIN, Fla.—Dunavant Enterprises has selected Salamander Hotels & Resorts to assist with the development of and manage the anchor hotel of its new multi-phase Henderson Beach Resort in Destin, Fla. The 171-room beachfront luxury property is scheduled to opened in spring 2016.
The Henderson, a Salamander Beach & Spa Resort, will feature views of the Gulf of Mexico and dunes, as well as a residential design. It is adjacent to the 208-acre, environmentally protected Henderson Beach nature preserve.
“Our vision is to deliver a beachfront level of luxury previously unavailable between New Orleans and Sarasota, and Salamander’s team of professionals is the perfect fit to help us create, manage, and operate this destination resort of which the entire region can be proud,” said Chairman William B. Dunavant Jr.
Within Florida, Salamander manages Innisbrook Resort in Tampa Bay, Reunion Resort in Orlando, and Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast. Salamander recently launched the Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, Va., located in Washington, D.C.’s horse and wine country. Salamander is also developing the new Tryon Resort in Tryon, N.C.
“There are tremendous synergies between our three existing Florida resorts and The Henderson, and our experience of developing and operating iconic destination resorts will ensure that this property is properly positioned within the luxury market,” said Sheila C. Johnson, founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts.
Incorporating a residential theme in harmony with the adjacent Crystal Beach neighborhood, The Henderson will feature a design inspired by the New England shingle-style architecture already prevalent on Destin’s coastline at the Henderson Park Inn.
The resort will offer a signature restaurant with display kitchen, an octagonal-shaped bar presenting freshly prepared sushi, a poolside grill, outdoor terrace dining with sunset views, an old-fashioned ice cream shop, and dining on the beach.
The destination spa will feature 11 treatment rooms, water treatments and amenities, and a women’s locker room which opens onto a private relaxation terrace overlooking the preserve.
The Henderson will also offer a sun-lit fitness room and a variety of other water experiences, including a family-oriented pool with a lazy river and a quiet adult zone. There will be numerous activities, including a dedicated children’s program.
Guests of The Henderson will also enjoy a Beach Club experience that features sunset cocktail hours, waterfront dining, umbrella and chair service, as well as a base for activities like sailing, snorkeling. and volleyball.
The Henderson will feature 10,000 square feet of indoor event space, including a dedicated meeting wing, a 5,400-square-foot ballroom, a junior ballroom, private boardrooms, and nearly 30,000 square feet of outdoor group options, including oceanfront function locations.
Future phases of the Henderson Beach Resort project may also add a 95-room beachfront hotel and nearly 200 luxury condominiums. The estimated cost of the overall Resort development exceeds $300 million. The existing beachfront Henderson Park Inn, also owned by Dunavant Enterprises, will continue to service guests.
“Our planning and development team, Devcon Services Group and JGM Development, have been hard at work for 10 years under the leadership and direction of William Hagerman, our senior vice president of development and acquisitions,” said President and CEO William B. Dunavant III. “Hagerman’s vision for this beautiful property was integral in evolving it into the world-class destination resort we are launching today.”
Since ground was broken on The Henderson in January of 2014, the multimillion dollar project has already created hundreds of jobs. An economic impact study projects that the 171-room resort hotel will create a total of more than 1,557 direct and indirect jobs. This includes 677 construction jobs and 261 staff positions that The Henderson will employ.
The resort’s design architect is Cooper Carry of Atlanta and interior design is being provided by Karen Kent of Kent Interior Design in Atlanta. The general contractor is Atlanta-based DPR Hardin, while project management is being provided by Shannon Howell of Destin-based Devcon Services Group.
