ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The Treasury on the Plaza, the tallest structure in St. Augustine’s historic downtown, could potentially get a makeover. The landmark seven-story building will soon become a luxury hotel, featuring modern amenities while preserving its rich historical character.
Jalaram Hotels led by Development Director and Government Affairs Officer Troy Blevins is behind the renovation project.
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According to Blevins, the hotel will feature approximately 100 rooms, blending the building’s classic architecture with state-of-the-art features. The Treasury building, which was built in 1926 and opened in 1927, has stood as a prominent fixture in the city’s skyline for nearly a century.
“Our city was built on tourism,” Blevins said. “We have more hotel rooms than we do in the city limits right now. This project will help build on that historic fact.”
The revitalization project aims to address some of the growing challenges in the area, including traffic congestion. Blevins explained that the hotel’s location will allow guests to park once and not need to use their vehicles again during their stay.
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“The beauty in having a hotel in this area is our guests are going to be here, they park, and they don’t go to their cars again,” Blevins said.
Along with transforming the building into a luxury hotel, the project will also enhance the surrounding area. Improvements include replacing unsightly trash bins with a hidden compactor and adding a discreet parking garage for guests. The parking lot will be incorporated into the hotel, hidden inside the structure, and wrapped around by hotel rooms.
“With this, we have a component within the hotel where it is a shared compactor, and everyone will use the same trash can. It will be completely out of sight,” Blevins said. “This parking lot will be hidden inside the hotel. It will be wrapped around with hotel rooms, with a parking structure inside.”
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The nearly $100 million project is still awaiting final city approval but is expected to reshape the downtown landscape over the next five to seven years. Once complete, the hotel will blend the building’s historic charm with modern conveniences, contributing to the continued growth of St. Augustine as a premier tourist destination.
The Treasury building’s makeover will mark a new chapter in the city’s history, combining heritage and innovation in the heart of downtown St. Augustine.
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