The Tony Hotel South Beach has changed hands in a $16.5 million off-market transaction, closing a nearly four-decade chapter of Goldman family ownership. The 52-room Art Deco boutique hotel at 801 Collins Avenue will remain in operation while its new owners pursue a multimillion-dollar renovation, expanded accommodations and a new restaurant concept.
Key takeaways
- The Tony Hotel sold for $16.5 million in an off-market deal.
- French hospitality operators Philippe Le Guennec and Benjamin Debard acquired the property.
- A renovation and expansion could increase the hotel from 52 to 73 rooms.
- The existing Wish Café is expected to be replaced by an undisclosed restaurant concept.
- The transaction ends the Goldman family’s approximately 40-year ownership of the hotel.
The sale marks a significant transition for one of South Beach’s longstanding independent hotels. Susan Gale of Gale International at ONE Sotheby’s International Realty represented both the buyer and seller in the transaction.
New ownership expands Miami Beach portfolio
The property was acquired by an entity connected to Le Guennec and Debard, who are building a growing presence in Miami Beach’s hospitality market. The pair purchased the 132-room Kimpton Angler’s Hotel for $43.5 million last year. Le Guennec has also previously owned and sold Hotel St. Augustine in Miami Beach.
The new owners plan to directly operate both the hotel and its restaurant, adding The Tony Hotel to their broader hospitality portfolio.
Renovation and room expansion planned
The buyers intend to undertake a multimillion-dollar renovation while preserving the property’s continued operation. They have also leased a neighboring building on Ocean Drive that connects to the rear of the hotel.
That additional space is expected to accommodate 21 new guestrooms. If completed as planned, the expansion would bring the operation to approximately 73 rooms while maintaining its distinctive position between Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive.
Restaurant concept to be announced
The hotel’s existing Wish Café is expected to be replaced as part of the property’s next phase. The buyers have not yet disclosed details about the replacement restaurant, but the change will give the hotel an opportunity to reposition its food-and-beverage offering alongside the renovation.
The Tony Hotel’s ocean-view rooftop pool and bar remain among its signature amenities, complemented by its location just steps from Ocean Drive and the Atlantic Ocean.
A century of South Beach history
Originally opened as the Tiffany Hotel, the property was designed by architect L. Murray Dixon, whose work helped define Miami Beach’s Art Deco character. The hotel was renovated in 1998 while retaining its historic architectural identity.
Goldman Properties acquired the hotel in 1986 for $550,000, during a period when Tony Goldman played a central role in South Beach’s preservation and revival. The hotel was renamed The Tony Hotel South Beach in 2022 in his honor.
Tony Goldman later became known for spearheading the redevelopment of Wynwood and creating Wynwood Walls, which grew into an internationally recognized street-art destination. The latest sale brings the family’s direct ownership of the South Beach property to an end while preserving a name tied to the neighborhood’s transformation.