BRADENTON BEACH – The third of four buildings has come down to clear the way for a 106-room resort hotel/restaurant/retail complex at the corner of Bridge Street and Gulf Drive South.
On Jan. 26, demolition began on the building at 105 Bridge St., formerly the site of the Magnolia Inn. The preservation of the building, which dates back to 1935, was championed by residents Sue Longacre and Chris Johnson, but city officials responded that the building was not protected.
On Dec. 7, developer Shawn Kaleta and hotel co-applicant, former Bradenton Beach Commissioner Jacob Spooner, received city commission approval for the hotel, which will include a 60-seat restaurant, 5,396 square feet of retail space and 154 on-site parking spaces. The project is situated on 1.61 acres and is located at 101, 105 and 117 Bridge St. and 106, 108, 110 and 112 Third St. S.
The demolition permit for 105 Bridge St., which was issued by the city on Jan. 22, lists the owner of the property as Bridge Street Resort LLC.
On Dec. 11, a permitted demolition began on 129 Gulf Drive S., the location of the former Joe’s Eats N Sweets. On Jan. 13, 101 Bridge St., built in 1925 and formerly the Freckled Fin, was demolished. Bradenton Beach permit technician Annabre Veal said on Dec. 27 that a demolition permit application for the Fudge Factory, 117 Bridge St., built in 1955, has been submitted.
