[2013] Marriott crystal shores construction

Just wondering if anyone has heard any specifics about the construction at Crystal Shores?

I am an owner there, but haven't been back in a few years but saw this on the website.

Please note Marriott’s Crystal Shores has scheduled a variety of construction and renovation efforts, to begin in 2014. Construction efforts on the final two phases are expected to begin in late April or early May with anticipated completion in January, 2017. In addition, renovation efforts are scheduled September through November, 2014, during the hours of 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. While we expect the impact to be minimal, guests may observe construction related activities/noise over the course of either project. Owners/guests may call the property directly at 239-393-6800 for additional details. We thank you for your understanding and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

rpluskota said:

Just wondering if anyone has heard any specifics about the construction at Crystal Shores?

I am an owner there, but haven't been back in a few years but saw this on the website.

Please note Marriott’s Crystal Shores has scheduled a variety of construction and renovation efforts, to begin in 2014. Construction efforts on the final two phases are expected to begin in late April or early May with anticipated completion in January, 2017. In addition, renovation efforts are scheduled September through November, 2014, during the hours of 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. While we expect the impact to be minimal, guests may observe construction related activities/noise over the course of either project. Owners/guests may call the property directly at 239-393-6800 for additional details. We thank you for your understanding and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

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The construction to complete the project (Phase 2 and 3) will start in the second quarter of 2014 and is scheduled for completion in 2017 as the note you posted indicated. The complete build-out will be 219 units. There are currently only 67 units in the phase 1 project.

The Phase 2 and 3 projects are scheduled to add two new buildings (closer to street), 2 new cascading waterfall pools, a new check-in facility, underground parking, and an owners lounge located in what is today the sales/pre-view gallery. Also, the temporary existing boardwalk that allows public beach access will be relocated from its current location on the south side to the permanent location on the north side of the property between Crystal Shores and the Hilton hotel.

This construction should only provide for minimal disruption to owners and guests staying in existing gulf front units since the new buildings are set back a ways and are closer to the street than the ocean. Those that stay in gulf view/side units may notice the construction more.

A dated but still accurate picture of the completed project is here: http://www.marconews.com/photos/2007/mar/25/31462/

The sales/marketing staff have already started to hire new personnel at Crystal Shores to ramp-up sales for the new construction.

This is a major construction project for the area and for the property and will finally deliver all the amenities promised by the developer to owners.

FT

Thanks for post. So nothing has changed from the original plans? I hadn't heard that the resort construction was resuming until reading that alert. I am glad to hear they are finishing the project.

rpluskota said:

Thanks for post. So nothing has changed from the original plans? I hadn't heard that the resort construction was resuming until reading that alert. I am glad to hear they are finishing the project.

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I'm here now for 7 days and have not heard of any changes from the original plans. As the construction permits get issued, I will report back on any changes if applicable.

Its going to be a more beautiful property once completed in 2017.

For me, its already beautiful as is. Can't wait to see the completed project.

FT

Do you happen to remember, will the only gulf front rooms be located in the building they currently exist?

Like I said I haven't been back in 2 years, so I am out of the loop. Keep me posted if you hear anything else, while your down there....have a great trip!

rpluskota said:

Do you happen to remember, will the only gulf front rooms be located in the building they currently exist?

Like I said I haven't been back in 2 years, so I am out of the loop. Keep me posted if you hear anything else, while your down there....have a great trip!

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Yes. The existing units that are Gulf Front are the only units that will have this view and location on the property. That is why I purchased and became a founding member.

I suspect the other 2 buildings will be listed as gulf view and gulf side.

FT

With the completion of construction at Crystal Shores slated for 2017, this may make the property a MR Category 9 facility and the best vacation property on the Island.

All this happening while the Marco Island Marriott Resort hotel goes for a proposed $150M expansion to include 93 more hotel guest rooms, large expansion of convention space, new roof-top dinning option, stacked parking garage for up to 1200 vehicles and Re-Flagging to JW Marriott Status.

When completed, both of these properties are expected to be the top of the Florida Luxury segment for Marriott in Florida according to Marriott in last week's city council meeting presentation.

FT

I appreciate your comments on Crystal Shores. We have stayed 3 times gulf-front and will continue to use DC points to trade into here as long as possible.

I was on the original design team for what is now the Marriott resort. It had a polynesian theme and they still keep some of the traditions like the guy blowing the conch at sunset. I'm anxious to read more about the upgrades to the site. It is my sentimental favorite and absolutely deserves to be a JW.

We just have a gold Grande Vista so I have a puny # of points and am not interested enough to buy more. We do 3 night stays, usually starting on a Monday as it works out for our employees to cover for us. Hope we can continue to do this.

FractionalTraveler said:

Yes. The existing units that are Gulf Front are the only units that will have this view and location on the property. That is why I purchased and became a founding member.

I suspect the other 2 buildings will be listed as gulf view and gulf side.

FT

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Won't all new units be considered Gulf View only? Considering that there are three units on each floor that face north. I believe the two closest to the gulf are Gulf Side and the third, furthest from the gulf, is Gulf View. So all other units would be further back. Don't see how they would get any other Gulf Side units in there?

dioxide45 said:

Won't all new units be considered Gulf View only? Considering that there are three units on each floor that face north. I believe the two closest to the gulf are Gulf Side and the third, furthest from the gulf, is Gulf View. So all other units would be further back. Don't see how they would get any other Gulf Side units in there?

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Some will be gulf side and some gulf view. Good news is that there will be 9 new 3-BR units in Phase 3 of the project these will be gulf view as they will be in the building closest to the street (Collier Blvd.)

FT

FractionalTraveler said:

Some will be gulf side and some gulf view. Good news is that there will be 9 new 3-BR units in Phase 3 of the project these will be gulf view as they will be in the building closest to the street (Collier Blvd.)

FT

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So can you shed any light on how the Gulf Side units will be situation in the new buildings in association with the current buildings? I am just having a hard time figuring out how the new buildings will have both gulf view and gulf side.

dioxide45 said:

So can you shed any light on how the Gulf Side units will be situation in the new buildings in association with the current buildings? I am just having a hard time figuring out how the new buildings will have both gulf view and gulf side.

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See link in post #2 for layout...in case you missed it and that helps you any.

Fasttr said:

See link in post #2 for layout...in case you missed it and that helps you any.

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I can see how the new structures are situated with the existing ones, what I am wondering is which ones are considered GV and which are GS? Am I missing that in the link and related article?

dioxide45 said:

I can see how the new structures are situated with the existing ones, what I am wondering is which ones are considered GV and which are GS? Am I missing that in the link and related article?

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The units in the check-in building will probably be gulf view while the units located facing the Hilton will likely be gulf side.

For me, its not a concern since I am deeded Gulf Front and would not think to stay there in GS or GV locations. It may be important to others.

FT

FractionalTraveler said:

The units in the check-in building will probably be gulf view while the units located facing the Hilton will likely be gulf side.

For me, its not a concern since I am deeded Gulf Front and would not think to stay there in GS or GV locations. It may be important to others.

FT

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So I find this interesting. In the current structure that faces the Hilton, the two closest units to the gulf are Gulf Side and the one furthest from the gulf is Gulf View. So if they designate some of the units in the new structure that faces the gulf as Gulf Side, that would mean there would be huge competition for the current Gulf Side villas in the structure closest to the gulf. There would actually be Gulf Side villas that are separated by Gulf View villas. I don't think they could re-designate the current Gulf View villas to Gulf Side, could they?