Onward | Hacienda Hotel Update - What's What New Port Richey

Hacienda_0522_6JPG — Owner Jim Gunderson chats with his staff while preparing for the New Port Richey Main Street Wine Stroll on May 12, 2022. The Hacienda was one of several stops hosted by local businesses in downtown New Port Richey. What's What NPR PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER

BY MICHELE MILLER
What’s What New Port Richey

May 20, 2022

The projection of a couple of days of rain had me getting back to things I’ve been meaning to tend to – including editing some of the photos I had the opportunity to take during a recent visit to the Hacienda Hotel in downtown New Port Richey.

It’s been a remarkable transformation of the 1920’s historic boutique hotel that’s not quite finished yet but “getting there” – a sign of the times with pandemic and war-time supply chain issues that have been plaguing the construction industry.

After an extensive multi-year restoration, The Hacienda is on the verge of reopening and with some of the original architecture carefully preserved and will feature 40 guest rooms, fine dining, and a rather nice view of Sims Park from the patio and second-story balcony.

Owner Jim Gunderson is determined to do things right and that is going to be well worth waiting for, says Dylan Gamez. As Marketing and Public Relations Manager at the Hacienda and Gunderson’s sister hotel, the Lakeside Inn in Mount Dora, Gamez has a finger on the pulse of the day-to-day operations. If you’ve been taken for a tour she’s likely been your guide welcoming you with a signature pink hardhat and maybe a room key that matches the hotel’s coral facade.

While opening day is yet to come, the Hacienda has played host to several local groups during ongoing restoration. There was a ghost tour or two and visits from Florida’s New Port Richey Main Street delegation. In February, the Hacienda gave a nod to celebrations of old by hosting a reception for those crowned King Pithla and Queen Chasco over 70 years of the Chasco Fiesta.

Most recently the Hacienda offered a sneak peek to those attending the New Port Richey Main Street Wine Stroll on May 12.

To be sure the Hacienda was a big draw for many who showed up early in anticipation of visiting or in many cases, revisiting a part of their youth at the side entrance of what many have considered to be New Port Richey’s “crown jewel,” even as the storied hotel fell into dilapidation.

More than once I overheard conversations about what the place looked like when high school proms and weddings were held “way back when” and the roaming ghosts of local lore.

Making his introduction was General Manager, AJ Evans, who is really jazzed about his new position and will be taking job applications pretty soon. Executive Chef, Tim Morrison, whose most recent position was as sous chef at the Lake Side Inn, was also in the house and is working out the details with his boss about the menu that promises to be upscale.

New General Manager AJ Evans prepares to greet guests stopping into the Hacienda Hotel during the New Port Richey Wine Stroll held on May 12 in downtown New Port Richey. Evans, whose most recent experience in the management of two historic bed & breakfast properties positioned for sale and transitioned over into their new owner’s operation, has vast experience in the hospitality industry and is excited about what’s to come. And yes, he’ll be looking to staff a variety of positions in the near future.
What’s What NPR PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER

Add to that the steadfast volunteers from the Friends of the Hacienda Hotel and Historic New Port Richey. Clad in “Hacienda pink” t-shirts, they were there as always, to offer up historical tidbits and share recent progress that was outlined by Gunderson in the moments before the doors opened for the wine stroll.

“We’re in the homestretch,” Gunderson told volunteers, noting that the last pieces should be coming together more rapidly.

The big push will come after the elevator (which was to be delivered on May 16) is installed. Then hardwood floors can be laid in the lobby and carpet in the dining room. Most of the painting has been completed, Gunderson said, carpeting is complete in the hotel hallways and final landscaping, including the signature courtyard facing Main Street, should be underway.

As of May 12, Gunderson said he was still waiting for the delivery of furniture and glass for the lobby archway which from the photographs I’ve seen of the Hacienda over the years, is probably the most popular vantage for taking photographs.

Like many, I’m looking forward to seeing what the view has to behold when all is said and done.

Till next time. Now onward 🙂

A preliminary view for those descending or ascending the main staircase at the Hacienda Hotel in downtown New Port Richey. The carpeting has been laid down but is covered during final renovations and the soon-to-come installation of furniture.
What’s What NPR PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER ( May 12, 2022)

A taste of the latest progress and some of the color schemes at the historic Hacienda Hotel in downtown New Port Richey. Work is being done, walls are being painted, and chandeliers are hung as reconstruction moves along.
What’s What NPR PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER (May 12, 2022)

**Hallways to guest rooms are purposefully painted a subduing blue offset by dark, wood molding to set a tone for those ready to wind down for the night, said hotel owner, Jim Gunderson.**

Those attending the New Port Richey Main Street wine stroll on May 12, 2022, were treated to a sneak-peak view of the Hacienda Hotel. The historic boutique hotel which has been under construction for the last few years is in the final stage of completion. This photo of the hotel lobby and staircase leading to the second story was taken from the east entrance on Bank Street.
WHAT’S WHAT NPR PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER

Examples of photos of days gone by at the Hacienda Hotel. The photos were donated by the Friends of the Hacienda and Historic New Port Richey and restored No Naked Walls Art & Frame Shop in Port Richey.
What’s What NPR PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER

Owner Jim Gunderson stands behind the reception desk in the lobby of the Hacienda Hotel in downtown New Port Richey. Gunderson, who has a reputation in the restoration of historical hotels, preserved a piece of wood from the original construction to use as the top counter. (Note the photos from days gone by). The inlaid plaques were imported from Spain, Gunderson said, and will offset the reception desk nicely when stained. What’s What NPR PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER (May 12, 2022)

Plan a visit to the Hacienda Hotel and you are likely to run into Dylan Gamez. While serving as Marketing and Public Relations Manager at the Hacienda and a sister hotel in Mouth Dora called the Lakeside Inn, Gamez has also proved to be a welcoming tour guide to various groups coming in to see the restoration progress.
What’s What NPR PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER

**Dylan Gamez pours glasses of wine alongside, Bob Langford who serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Friends of the Hacienda Hotel and Historical New Port Richey.**
What’s What NPR PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER

It just seemed right to put this photo in black and white. Pictured here in 1920’s flapper attire is Jessica Kiesel, offering a little blast from the past to those getting a sneak peek of the reconstruction of the historic Hacienda Hotel during the New Port Richey Main Stroll on May 12, 2022, in downtown New Port Richey. What’s What NPR PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER

This is probably one of the most popular vantages of the Hacienda Hotel lobby which has been recently painted. Soon to come is the rich, coffee-colored hardware floors that are due to be laid down after the installation of the hotel elevator, which was to be delivered the week of May 16. As with all construction, supply chain issues have caused delays, so there is no writing anything in stone as to the upcoming opening.
What’s What NPR PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER (May 12, 2022)

Before…..

Marvyn Albert spray paints lengths of trim baseboard to be installed at the Hacienda Hotel in downtown New Port Richey. Marvyn is part of the restoration crew for the 1920’s structure that is set to open in the fall of 2021. He also works on ongoing restoration projects with the crew at the **Hacienda’s sister hotel, the Lakeside Inn in Mount Dora.**
What’s What NPR PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER (July 2021)

Dylan Gamez takes a peek out of one of the larger guest rooms at the Hacienda Hotel, being refurbished in downtown New Port Richey. “I love to see the week-to-week changes. It’s really chugging along,” said Dylan, who is the Marketing and Public Relations Manager for the Hacienda Hotel and Mount Dora’s Lakeside Inn.
What’s What NPR PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER (July 2021)

Link to more…..

From the archives

Bringing New Port Richey’s Hacienda Hotel Back to its Old Glory, What’s What New Port Richey (Aug. 2021)

Links to stories produced by other local news outlets

Could ghost tours be a thing in downtown New Port Richey? Maybe. Tampa Bay Times (July 2019)
New Port Richey gets ready for a downtown renaissance Tampa Bay Times (June 2021)
Royalty arrives at Hacienda Hotel for Chasco celebration, Suncoast News (Feb. 2022)
History of Pasco County – The Hacienda Hotel, fivay.org
Friends of the Hacienda and Historic New Port Richey, Facebook page

iris antonucci says:

May 27, 2022 at 7:49 am

I worked at the Hacienda as one of my first jobs in Florida back in 1989. I have been watching the renovations with anticipation to re-enter the premises. I missed the wine walk due to medical. This is a great thing for downtown NPR!