Fort Bragg will soon say goodbye to the burned out hotel near its northern boundary. A four-star condo-hotel with lounge and eats is planned as a replacement.
Owner Robert Hunt says he”s ready to demolish the structure as soon as final permits arrive. He”s confident the old Hi-Seas Motel will be gone before the end of July.
“The day I get final sign off, it”s coming down,” said Hunt. “It has been an eyesore for too long.”
The Hi-Seas burned on June 6, 2007. Hunt says it has not been governmental red tape and permits that held up the process. His insurance company took eight months to finish its investigation.
Hunt says the insurance company concluded the fire was caused by a candle left burning in the lobby by the manager, who went to bed. The manager lost all her belongings and her car, parked in the carport. The hotel was destroyed.
Hunt was planning to describe his plans at a joint meeting of the Fort Bragg City Council and Fort Bragg Planning Commission this week.
Hunt says the condo hotel will pay bed taxes just like a motel and have a similar employee structure.
“We currently have 30 motels in Fort Bragg and no upscale, 4-star lodging,” Hunt said. He envisions full accommodations, including an upscale restaurant lounge.
Condo hotels are an idea that has been around since the turn of the millennium.
Condo hotels have condo units that are sold to individual owners who may use their unit for an agreed amount of time as outlined by the purchase agreement. When not in use by the owner, the units are required to be placed back into the rental program of the hotel. That rental revenue, which is shared with the operator, helps defray the owner”s expenses, according to an online link provided by Hunt.
Although not required, condo hotel properties are usually large, luxurious four-or-five-star hotels, sometimes operated by the biggest names in the hospitality industry like Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Sonesta, Hyatt, Starwood, Hilton and Clarion,
County records show Hunt purchased the hotel, which includes a little over two oceanfront acres at 1201 N. Main in 1998 from Robert and Nancy Gray for $1.55 million. Hunt purchased 64 acres at 28300 N. Highway 1 in 2003.
The city limits end less than a half-mile north of the hotel. With possible big changes at the city”s southern entrance and the brand new Caltrans building being constructed across the street from Hunt”s property, the city may soon have a totally new look to greet visitors.
