Construction Begins on Margaritaville Resort

- The project is a joint venture between Dallas-based developer RREAF Holdings and Florida-based Innisfree Hotels. The total investment for the resort is estimated to be between $250 million and $700 million. - Located at 317 East Beach Drive, the resort will feature a 15-story hotel with 334 rooms, making it one of the largest developments on the east side of the island. - In addition to the hotel, the development includes 278 fully furnished, Margaritaville-themed beach cottages, with prices ranging from approximately $1 million to $4 million. - Amenities will include a 2.5-acre elevated water park overlooking the beach, a 400-foot lazy river, an infinity pool, four restaurants, pickleball courts, and a family entertainment center. - Construction of the resort is expected to create 500 to 600 direct jobs and is projected to be completed in 2026. - The development has faced some local opposition due to its potential impact on the area's "ghost wolf" coyote population and delicate coastal ecosystems. - This will be the second Margaritaville resort in Texas, following the location that opened in Lake Conroe in 2020. The brand also has a Camp Margaritaville RV Resort on the Bolivar Peninsula. - The development comes as Galveston experiences a tourism boom, with over 8 million visitors in 2022, a 25% increase from the previous year.