Florida’s iconic Pink Palace, The Don CeSar, has unveiled its multimillion-dollar renovation enhancing and expanding the historic resort. Managed by Davidson Resorts, The Don CeSar’s top-to-bottom renovation embraces its 93-year history as a beloved Gulf Coast icon while seamlessly fusing modern amenities, sleek design and world-class experiences to set the tone for generations of visitors to come.
The transformative redesign of the Pink Palace began in 2018, when Florida-based design studio, Edge of Architecture, brought a fresh look to meeting spaces, guest corridors, The Don’s palatial exteriors and the 71-room, all-suite Beach House Suites by The Don CeSar. In 2019, The Don partnered with Boston-based Parker-Torres Design to transform The Don Boutiques retail experience, The Lobby Bar, Uncle Andy’s Market and Maritana, the property’s fine dining restaurant helmed by Executive Chef Emily Ferrari.
Parker-Torres Design looked to the epic style, glamorous history and majestic feel of the Gatsby era in their redesign of the The DonCesar, which was originally built in 1928. Parker-Torres reimagined the lobby, including a bar and the Americana Grill, in addition to the guestrooms by incorporating sophisticated vintage touches with a breezy aesthetic that matches the hotel’s oceanside location in St. Pete Beach, FL.
“The hotel was visited by the author of The Great Gatsby himself, F. Scott Fitzgerald,” said Miriam Torres, co-founder of Parker-Torres Design. “As an ode to his iconic presence, we infused the modernized interiors with details that encapsulate the best of the roaring ’20s.”
The final phase of the renovation showcases the transformative redesign of the beachfront resort’s 277 rooms and suites and introduces a new pool bar with a rooftop deck, new full-service restaurant and a complete restoration of the iconic, palm tree-lined front drive.
“In the guestrooms, we referenced the famous ‘pink palace’ with a soft blush color that is both contemporary and honors the building’s iconic hue,” Torres said. “Florida is a place of rest for the modern guest and we wanted to keep it comfortable and relaxed with some of the quintessential whitewashed tones and organic textures, paired with a feminine pink that speaks once again to the building’s heritage.”
The newly appointed guestrooms also incorporate a beach-inspired aesthetic using elements such as wicker, whitewashed headboards and airy, blush tones reflective of the hotel facade’s signature pink.
“Stately colorways taken from the hotel’s history such as a bold emerald green in the lobby and caramel and brown tile patterns convey the mood of each space,” Torres said. “The lobby is energetic and vibrant, with organic touches such as a fun palm leaf print wallcovering. Additional stand-outs include a quintessential, custom-designed black and glass bar cart that serves period-inspired drinks and sculptural elements such as pendants with green metal glass. The bar was repositioned to the back of the lobby in order to open up space, and features wood-look tiles that draw the eye.”
