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.
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.
It felt like a homecoming of sorts, nature breathing a calming “Welcome Home” into our arthritic bones as the old man and I sauntered down the hiking trail at New Port Richey’s James E. Grey Preserve. […]
A “fix it and they will come” thought is this century’s opportunistic gamble for The Hacienda and the ongoing revitalization of the city of New Port Richey […]
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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!
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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!