The historic Edgewater Hotel in downtown Winter Garden officially closed its doors, ceased operations and is in the process of being sold.
Built in 1926, the 28,855-square-foot property began operations the following year with 53 guest rooms, predominantly lodging traveling fishermen in its early days. Today, after renovations converted the hotel into a bed-and-breakfast with retail shops and restaurants on the first floor, the Plant Street hotel was appraised in 2024 with a $2.57 million market valuation by the county.
The initial plans to build the hotel were formed by local businessmen J.D. McMillan, Harry E. Bumby, J.M. Lazenby, William F. Cappleman, PH. Britt and N.A. Perry when they used $120,000 to begin construction in 1924. Following the bankruptcy of the hotel’s builder later that year, construction came to a halt before local real estate agent Jerry J. Chicone formed a group of investors to finance the completion of construction.
When the hotel opened its doors in 1927, rooms were rented for $2 to $2.50 per night and included all sorts of modern amenities such as an elevator, telephones in each room and fire sprinklers throughout the building.
The current ceasing of operations isn’t the first time the hotel has closed its doors. In 1968, the hotel closed and remained dormant for about the next 25 years.
After years of sitting vacant, Winter Garden city officials began discussing the potential to tear down the historic building. In response, the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation was formed in the hopes of purchasing and restoring the property and maintaining the historically significant piece of the city’s past.
The purchase and restoration by the foundation ultimately was unnecessary because the property was bought by Max Blanchard and Mike Lanza, who formed Edgewater Hotel Inc., and spent eight years restoring the hotel before reopening it as the 44-room bed-and-breakfast standing there today. The property also features Earl Brigham’s Barber Shop, Scoops Old Fashioned Ice Cream Store and restaurants Thai Blossom and Chef’s Table at the Edgewater.
As of press time, the identity of the property’s buyer — as well as any future plans — is unconfirmed.
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