The St. Johns River Water Management District has issued a permit that clears the way for construction of a new extended-stay hotel in northwest Ocala. Here's what we know:
Where will the hotel be located?
Just south of U.S. 27 (Blitchton Road) and just east of Interstate 75.
Who is building the hotel?
Jacksonville-based Rimrock Companies, a commercial real estate development firm.
What do we know about Rimrock?
According to its website, www.rimrockcompanies.com, Rimrock has developments in the senior living, hospitality, storage, retail, multi-family and multi-use sectors. For hospitality, the company indicates that it is particularly interested in extended-stay properties.
Who owns the property where the hotel will be built?
Ocala-based Gator Trust Holdings LLC owns the land, which it purchased for $2 million in February 2022, according to a deed on file with the Marion County court clerk. It's about 5.63 acres.
What do we know about the new hotel?
It will be an Everhome Suites, a relatively new member of the Choice Hotels family. This will be the first Everhome Suites in Florida and just the third nationwide, according to Rimrock.
Everhome specializes in extended stays. "Our goal is to help you stay connected to the things that matter most, just like you do at home," Everhome's website says. "That’s why we provide familiar conveniences like fully equipped kitchens, 24-hour on-site laundry facilities, modern fitness centers with Peloton bikes and access to snacks and sundries at our 24-hour Homebase Market."
Why this kind of hotel in this location?
Mike Massey with Rimrock said an extended-stay hotel is ideal for this site because of its proximity to nearby distribution centers (FedEx, AutoZone, Chewy, Amazon;) the new neighborhood hospital that UF Health is building; and the World Equestrian Center, which hosts equine and non-equine events whose attendees need a place for affordable extended stays.
"We're excited about it," Massey said. "I think it's going to be a great addition."
The Ocala location will have 113 rooms.
What is the timetable for the new hotel?
Rimrock expects to break ground in early September and open during the fourth quarter of 2024. The water management district permit was issued in late June.
Other hotel activity in the area
A Staybridge Suites is planned north of U.S. 27 and west of I-75, near the Publix-anchored Shops at Foxwood.
jross@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: NW Ocala development: Everhome Suites coming to I-75/U.S. 27 area