Redevelopment of Crystal Bay Resort in Marathon Begins

Heavy machinery cleaned up debris at the former Crystal Bay Resort in Marathon over the weekend, clearing part of the property as developer Marvin Rappaport hopes to start construction in January.

Rappaport said there are 30 cottages on the property near mile marker 50 bayside of U.S. 1, which he plans to demolish and rebuild. He said up to 34 new cottages might be built. It could take 12 to 14 months to complete the new construction should the Planning Commission and City Council approve the plans.

“We’re going before the Planning Commission mid-September,” Rappaport said. “We’re just cleaning up right now, that’s where we’re at.”

Rappaport purchased the property in December 2006; it’s been closed since September 2011. Back then, he said that the property is owned through his Miami-based Housing Trust Group.

Rappaport offered few details on plans for the rebuild Monday. “Give me a call mid-September,” he said.

The redevelopment of the property is one of many resort projects ongoing or planned in Marathon.

A 95-room Courtyard by Marriott is under construction near the new Hyatt Place Hotel and Faro Blanco Resort and Marina. The Spottswood Cos., which developed the Hyatt, also owns the Holiday Inn Express on the other end of town and plans to add to that hotel’s 134 rooms.

Near the Holiday Inn Express at mile marker 54 oceanside is the vacant former Key Colony Bay Resort. Baywood Hotels purchased it from South Florida developer Donahue Peebles earlier this year and plans to restore the 80-room hotel. Baywood owns five Miami hotels.

Source: Redevelopment of Crystal Bay Resort in Marathon finally seeing some movement | News | KeysNet