Driftwood Capital has broken ground on the Westin Cocoa Beach Resort, Spa, and Conference Center, a 502-key oceanfront development located in Florida’s fast-growing Space Coast market. Located in the coastal city of Cocoa Beach, the $420 million Westin Resort & Spa will be built on a 15.7-acre site, providing the largest conference center in the region. The resort will be managed by North Palm Beach-based Driftwood Hospitality Management once completed.
The event was attended by Cocoa Beach Mayor Keith Capizzi, former Mayor Ben Malik, Shawn Cummins from Marriott International, Mike MacDonald of Kast Construction, Driftwood Hospitality Management Founder and President David Buddemeyer, Driftwood Capital Chairman and CEO Carlos Rodriguez Sr., and Driftwood Capital President and COO Carlos Rodriguez Jr.
“The groundbreaking of the Westin Cocoa Beach Resort & Spa is a bellwether of the Space Coast’s progression as one of the most important and in-demand hotel markets in the entire country,” Carlos Rodriguez, Sr. said in a statement. “Although it took patience and persistence to reach this momentous milestone, we are thankful for the local partners who took note of our vision in bringing a true, high-end resort that meets the changing needs of travelers visiting the Space Coast. This is truly a significant moment shaping the trajectory of Cocoa Beach, Brevard County and the entire state of Florida.”
The Space Coast sees billions of dollars in continued investment within the aerospace, defense and tourism sectors from SpaceX, Blue Origin, Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, Port Canaveral and others attracting business and tourist travelers.
“The Westin Cocoa Beach Resort & Spa will reflect the progress and sophistication of Brevard County’s identity as a leader in innovation and space exploration,” Carlos Rodriguez Jr. said. “There is truly nothing like this in the region, raising the standard for hospitality and local investment that will draw new business and travelers from around the world. We are proud to be a part of this mission while delivering a state-of-the-art hotel that will serve as a crown jewel in the state’s hospitality industry."
Serving to fill a 160-mile gap of Marriott beachfront resorts along the Atlantic coast between Daytona Beach and Hutchinson Island, the Westin Cocoa Beach Resort & Spa will have:
- 11 food and beverage venues, including themed restaurants
- A spa
- Surfing wave pool
- Swimming pools
- Tennis and pickleball courts
- Fitness center with cardio and weights
- Multiple retail options
- A multi-story parking garage to accommodate about 800 vehicles
Once completed, Driftwood Capital will own approximately 62 percent of the region’s beachfront inventory and 11 percent of its total hotel inventory. The property is expected to generate about $3 million in tourist taxes in its first year of operation and $4.5 million a year by its fifth year of operation while creating approximately 1,800 direct and indirect jobs in its first year.
The resort will also have 72,000 square feet of open-air venues for meetings and events and 51,500 square feet of indoor space designed for gatherings and conferences.