🏗️ Hilton Seeks Approval for Major Expansion on Marco Island — Second Tower Would Double Hotel Size

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. — One of Marco Island’s best-known beachfront resorts is hoping to dramatically expand, but city planners say the proposal asks for more than current rules allow.

Owners of the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort & Spa have unveiled plans to build a second hotel tower, increasing the resort from 310 guestrooms to 626 rooms—more than doubling its current capacity.

The proposal comes from New York-based Olshan Properties, the company that originally developed the beachfront resort in 1985. The project would also include a new parking garage, renovated guest rooms, upgraded resort amenities, and expanded public spaces.

📈 Bigger Resort, Bigger Questions

The 10.5-acre property at 560 S. Collier Boulevard is currently zoned Resort Residential. To move forward, Olshan Properties is asking the City of Marco Island to:

• 🏨 Rezone the property to Planned Unit Development (PUD)

• 📏 Exceed the city’s maximum building height

• 🏗️ Increase the allowable hotel density to 60 units per acre

Under Marco Island’s Comprehensive Plan, the site does not currently allow that level of development.

🚫 Planning Staff Recommend Denial

City planning staff have recommended the application be denied, arguing that the requested density exceeds what is permitted under the Comprehensive Plan.

According to planning documents, staff say the only legal path to achieve the proposed density would be to first amend the city’s Comprehensive Plan before considering a rezoning request.

That recommendation sets up what could become one of Marco Island’s most closely watched development debates in recent years.

🏛️ Planning Board to Review Proposal

The Marco Island Planning Board is scheduled to consider the rezoning request on Friday, July 10.

The board will make a recommendation before the proposal moves to the Marco Island City Council, which will have the final say on whether the expansion can proceed.

🌴 What It Could Mean for Marco Island

Supporters are expected to argue the expansion would:

• Boost tourism and local spending

• Modernize one of Marco Island’s landmark resorts

• Create additional hospitality jobs

• Enhance conference and visitor facilities

Opponents are likely to raise concerns over:

• 🚗 Increased traffic on South Collier Boulevard

• 🏖️ Greater pressure on beaches and local infrastructure

• 🏢 Building height and skyline impacts

• 📐 Setting a precedent for future high-density development

With Marco Island balancing tourism, growth, and preservation, the Hilton proposal is likely to generate significant discussion before any final decision is made.

The Planning Board’s recommendation is advisory only. Final approval rests with the Marco Island City Council

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