The Elyksian Hotel, a four-star, boutique hotel planned for Clermont’s popular downtown-waterfront district, won approval from the Clermont City Council on Tuesday night.
On June 9, Clermont City Council considered the request of the owner to build a 50 room, five-story boutique hotel on a small parcel of land, located southwest of the intersection of W. Osceola Street and 8th Street. The site of the Elyksian Hotel, LLC would be located directly next to Epic Cycles. The 68,000 square foot building, would have a maximum height of 80-ft. (25 feet higher than designated by the city). The project, approximately 1.07+/- acres, includes the Epic Cycles parcel and would share ingress/egress and off-hours parking with the existing Epic Cycles business. (see June 9 request)
After a lengthy discussion, the Council directed the applicant to look at some changes such as height and parking spaces and bring the request back to the City Council meeting on July 14.
At last night’s Clermont City council meeting, the applicant submitted a revised plan. The most notable changes are: (1) one floor of the hotel was removed, resulting in a reduction of height down to 75 feet maximum and (2) increase in floor area while maintaining the 50-room count. The boutique hotel will also have a meeting space, a rooftop amenity for its guests, and ground floor parking for the project. The owner has entered into a contract with Becker Funeral Home for additional parking. For comparison, City Hall is 53 feet in height.
It was a unanimous vote of participating councilmembers to approve the project. Councilmember Diane Travis recused herself due to a conflict of interest in the project.
The project is being developed by Roman Brana and a team of investors. Brana said he appreciated the council’s support and has already received lots of interest in the 50-suite hotel that will overlook Lake Minneola and the South Lake Trail.
“This hotel was built by athletes for athletes,” said Brana, who owns Epic Cycles World, a state-of-the-art, multi-sport destination next door to the hotel site. Epic Cycles World, at 528 Eighth St., includes high-end bicycles and cycling accessories, a recovery lounge for athletes, the Energy Lab Café and other amenities. The megastore and new hotel will be located at the center of the Coast-to-Coast Connector trail, a 250-mile, paved trail for pedestrians and cyclists between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
The Elyksian, a nod to “Elysian,” a Greek word referring to a paradise for heroes, will include much-needed event space, 50 luxury suites and amenities to match its 4-star rating, including valet parking and a rooftop lounge. The project, estimated to cost $10 million to $15 million, needed Council approval for its 75-foot height and parking plan.
Brana said the hotel will help boost tourism and the economy in Clermont’s historic, downtown-waterfront business district; and several residents and business owners told the Council they agreed. Brana hopes to capitalize on the reported quarter of a million athletes and visitors that descend on Clermont annually. Clermont, known as the Choice of Champions®, is recognized internationally as a training destination for Olympians and other elite athletes.
“With a large number of athletes that frequent Clermont from all over the world, there is no full-service, overnight accommodations that cater to the needs of recreational and professional athletes,” Brana said. “The Elyksian will fill that need.”
Brana said the Elyksian also will benefit local residents seeking a serene getaway, fine dining, trendy nightlife or special-event venue. Other downtown business owners said they welcome the idea of a boutique hotel, which they believe will attract high-end customers who can walk to their stores and restaurants.
The Elyksian is scheduled to break ground in 2021. More details at www.elyksian.com.
