the thunderbird beach resort prior to hurricane milton’s arrival | Thunderbird Beach Resort

The iconic Thunderbird Beach Resort, a Treasure Island landmark for the past 68 years, is set to be completely demolished and rebuilt after sustaining catastrophic damage caused by last year’s back-to-back hurricanes.

The courtyard-style resort, located at 10700 Gulf Boulevard, was among many properties hit hard by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which left behind piles of debris and over 80% of extensive structural damage, forcing the immediate closure of the beloved beachfront destination.

In a social media post on April 10th, the ownership group wrote, “After extensive evaluations and much deliberation, we were left with no choice but to move forward with a full redevelopment of the hotel.

“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.” the post continued.

“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.”

The 106-room Thunderbird Beach Resort is located at 10700 Gulf Boulevard in Treasure Island | Google Maps

Originally built in 1957 as the 64-unit Thunderbird Motel at a cost of $750,000, the resort has long been a staple of the area.

Preliminary plans filed with the City of Treasure Island and the Southwest Florida Water Management District propose demolishing the entire property—including several two- and three-story buildings—and constructing a new four-story resort with a redesigned layout. These plans are still pending approval and permits.

While the resort’s appearance will change dramatically, both the Thunderbird name and its historic neon signage will remain. The property will also retain its 310 feet of linear beachfront and direct access to the beach.

A site plan reveals a single U-shaped building rising to 48 feet that will house all 106 hotel rooms—the same number as before. A new 2,400-square-foot pool will anchor the central courtyard, which will also feature cabanas and a poolside bar serving food and drinks.

The new resort will not include guest rooms on the ground level. Instead, the first floor will offer 126 surface parking spaces beneath the structure, along with a 1,750-square-foot lobby and office space.

The second and third floors will each have 38 guest rooms, while the fourth floor will include 30 rooms, a 1,337-square-foot gym, a 1,000-square-foot meeting room, and a sun deck overlooking the pool.

The resort was purchased in 2021 by Avi and Gilad Ovaknin under the entity Thunderbird TI Holdings LLC for $25.5 million. The Ovaknins also operate Surf Style Retail Management, which runs more than 60 surf shops across Florida, including several along the Pinellas County beaches.

The redesign is being led by Clearwater-based Plisko Architecture and engineering firm Clymer Farner Barley Inc.