ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — A plan to add shops, offices and hundreds of new hotel rooms to the TradeWinds Resort was approved by St. Pete Beach City Commission earlier this week.


What You Need To Know

  • Earlier this week, a plan to extend TradeWinds Resort has been approved by the St. Pete Beach City Commissioner

  • Expansion has some neighbors split over the decision, but some local businesses are in support

  • The TradeWinds expansion project will be built in four phases, taking 20 years to complete and estimated to cost about $500 million

It’s also not the only one, as Sirata Beach Resort was approved for an expansion back in February.

Standing on the white sandy beaches of St. Pete Beach stands the Postcard Inn. It's a resort with a rich history that is always looking ahead.

“We’re excited for the expansion and the opportunities that it’ll bring our community,” said one of the inn's manager, Krysten Simmons.

The expansion she’s talking about is happening just a few doors down at TradeWinds Resort.

“I feel like these type of expansions are in our benefit," said Simmons. "I feel like they help our local economy grow. Our servers, our bartenders, it fuels them being able to pay their bills as well.”

The Postcard Inn has gone through a few recent renovations themselves, making upgrades to their pool area with the addition of cabanas for guests.

“We have a great amount of support, people that come back year after year and also the new influx of guests that are just finding out about St. Pete Beach and coming to the area,” said Simmons.

It’s those unique experiences that keep guests coming back time after time.

“All around, you can just have an amazing time at the property," said Simmons. "But I think, hands down, the most things that we get in the comments back is just the overall experience.”

And as renovations take place just down the road, those at the inn are thinking of their own future.

“Our next couple of years, we’re just putting a major focus on how we can be the difference in St. Pete Beach," said Simmons. "And create a vibe that you can’t get anywhere else but Postcard Inn.”

Showing that change can be good in the long run.

The TradeWinds expansion project will be built in four phases, taking 20 years to complete and estimated to cost about $500 million.