Palm Beach County has reached an agreement with Related Ross that clears the way for a second hotel to rise at the Palm Beach Convention Center. The new project will expand on the existing hospitality offering at the county-owned convention facility, adding another full-service hotel directly connected to the meeting and event ecosystem.
The arrangement between the Palm Beach County Commission and the developer is structured as a sale-leaseback. Under the terms described, Related Ross will sell a parking lot adjacent to the convention center to the county. The county will then lease the land back to Related Ross so the developer can construct the hotel on the site, allowing the public sector to retain long-term control of the real estate while enabling private development to proceed.
As part of this structure, Related Ross would no longer pay property taxes on the land being conveyed to the county. Despite that benefit, the company is not seeking direct financial incentives from either the county or the city to support the hotel development. The project itself is expected to carry a development cost of more than $300 million, underscoring the scale of the planned addition to the convention center district.
The planned hotel is described as a 400-room Hilton Curio property to be developed on a 1.8-acre parcel at 900 South Rosemary Ave. It will be the second large hotel serving the convention center, matching the existing first hotel, which also has 400 rooms. Together, the two properties are positioned to increase room capacity for convention and event business in the surrounding area.
In addition to guest rooms, the planned Hilton Curio will feature several restaurants, including one located on the rooftop. The programming will also include meeting and function space, intended to complement the convention center and broaden the range of on-site options for groups and event organizers.
The lease between Palm Beach County and the developer is set for a 99-year term. Over that period, the county is guaranteed to receive $1 billion in rent, with the potential for additional upside through revenue sharing. That structure is designed to provide the county with a stable, long-term income stream tied to the hotel, while allowing Related Ross to control, develop, and operate the asset on the convention center campus.
Details such as the construction timeline, expected opening date, and hotel operating arrangements were not disclosed. However, the agreement establishes the basic land and income framework needed for Related Ross to move the second convention center hotel project forward.
