**Kissimmee Advances Plans for Downtown Convention Center Hotels**
The City of Kissimmee is moving forward with major downtown development projects that will bring the area its first significant hotel offerings. City commissioners have selected Skyview Companies and Azure Hotel International Inc. to lead the initiative, which includes the construction of two new hotels along with additional amenities aimed at boosting tourism and convention business.
Azure Hotel International Inc. will spearhead a $149 million project at 201 E. Dakin Street. The development includes a 200-room hotel, 12,500 square feet of meeting space, and a 25,000-square-foot convention center. The city is expected to retain ownership of the convention center, while Azure will manage the facility. The targeted opening for the convention center is by the fourth quarter of 2028, with the hotel set to open in the second quarter of 2029.
Skyview Companies will develop a Sonesta-brand hotel with 128 rooms and adjacent condominiums at 92 Pleasant Street. This project will be built around the city-owned parking garage and carries a projected value of over $31 million. Skyview aims to complete construction by the end of 2026.
Both Azure and Skyview are negotiating with the city for control of parcels needed for development. These projects mark a pivotal moment for downtown Kissimmee, which currently boasts more than 1 million square feet of meeting space and approximately 25,000 hotel rooms across the area.
These efforts are expected to significantly enhance the city’s appeal as a destination for both tourists and business travelers.
