TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. — The iconic Treasure Island Thunderbird Resort has filed plans to demolish its current building.
The resort has been a welcome sight on the Island since 1957.
Every time Arleene and Greg Lauriano look at the historic Thunderbird Beach Resort, they think of happy memories.
"Fun in the sun…just…I can't even explain it. It's just iconic. We're home. We've had some great times here. Just unbelievable," they said.
They've been staying at the resort since the 90s, and on Thursday, they drove by to say goodbye.
"Mixed emotions, boarded up, but still the glory, the thunderbird. It's still here, not gone yet," said Greg Lauriano.
The Thunderbird Beach Resort is not only a hotel that's been around since 1957, but it's a place people think of when they hear Treasure Island.
"It's either before or after or at the Thunderbird. We used to pool hop here as kids, a lot of fun here, a lot of great memories," said Scott Pownall who lives near the resort.
Damage from Hurricane Helene closed the property in September 2024.
"First time I went out back there, that was heartbreaking to walk down the sidewalk and see all of that," said Pownall.
Plans filed with Southwest Florida Management District showed the building would be demolished, and a new resort with parking, utility, and stormwater management infrastructure would replace its current spot.
The plans show the ground level would be reserved for parking spaces.
The second and third floors would include 38 hotel rooms, and the fourth floor would include 30.
Greg hopes old building features are incorporated into the new one.
"Use some of the old, like the pool tiles, and decorate the bar with them or something like that, you know, just to keep it going," he said.
SWFMD has not yet approved these plans, and no date has been set for demolition.
The owners of the Thunderbird released the following statement on Thursday.
It has been our mission to honor the Thunderbird Beach Resort's incredible legacy while investing in its future. Our vision has always been to make the Thunderbird a premier travel destination—a place where new memories are made while honoring the generations of families who have called it their home away from home.
The Thunderbird has been a beloved Treasure Island landmark for 68 years, and we are deeply aware of the role it plays in the lives of so many. Sadly, the back-to-back hurricanes that struck our coast last year caused catastrophic damage to the property. Although we have chosen not to publicly share images of the devastation, we can share that over 80% of the resort sustained substantial damage. After extensive evaluations and much deliberation, we were left with no choice but to move forward with a full redevelopment of the hotel.
Like many of you, we are heartbroken by the loss. But we are also incredibly optimistic and energized by what’s to come.
We are committed to rebuilding the Thunderbird Beach Resort with the same heart, soul, and charm that guests have come to love—while enhancing the property to be more resilient to the challenges posed by severe weather. The resort’s iconic name and neon signage will remain, and our redesigned beachfront resort will continue to offer direct beach access and the welcoming atmosphere that has defined the Thunderbird for decades.
Our new plans reflect a thoughtful balance of preservation and progress. While the structure and layout will evolve, the spirit of the Thunderbird will live on. We look forward to sharing updates throughout this journey and can’t wait to welcome you back once the new Thunderbird Beach Resort is ready.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Avi & Gilad Ovaknin
Owners, Thunderbird TI Holdings, LLC
"I'm kind of excited because it's going to be new again, and they are still going to carry the brand. They are going to keep the sign, put that up. I can't wait to see it," said Greg Lauriano.
While Greg and Arleene are saying goodbye to over 30 years of memories, they are hoping to say hello to many more.
"It's the Thunderbird, it's always going to be the Thunderbird," said Lauriano.
"If there had just been a trooper up there, maybe this whole thing could have been avoided."
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