Walesbilt Hotel Revival: A Historic Comeback

0:00On this March 3rd in Tampa Bay, here's what is making headlines. Crews in Lake Wales, Florida have begun clearing debris from the Wales-Build Hotel, a 10-story landmark vacant for 20 years. City leaders plan to restore the 1920s building into a modern hotel with restaurants and retail spaces. Built around 1928, the hotel sits on the National Register of Historic Places and once hosted the rich and famous. Officials hope to mark its near 100th anniversary with this revival project. Local business owners nearby cherish the building's charm, recalling childhood visits for ice cream parties and birthday celebrations. They see it as a downtown gem, ready for a comeback. After a three-year legal fight, the city regained ownership last year, paving the way for cleanup and redevelopment. This marks a big win for efforts to breathe new life into the area. Now, leaders are finalizing a deal with the restoration St. Louis to lead the work. They are even saving original furniture, in hopes of reusing it, promising jobs and visitors to boost the local economy.

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