THE VINOY TIMELINE
1880s: The Vinoy’s bayside property is purchased for $35.
1923: Aymer Vinoy Laughner and his friends, Gene Eliot and Walter Hagen, a famous golfer, conceive the idea for The Vinoy.
1925: The Vinoy Park Hotel opens on December 31.
1920s-1930s: Celebrities, presidents and the wealthy flock to the grande dame, and St. Petersburg’s resi- dents depend upon The Vinoy as an elegant venue for important social occasions.
1940s: WWII army cooks and bakers train at the re- sort, which later closes briefly for post-war repairs.
1950s: During the post-war boom, The Vinoy is a favored winter destination.
1960s: Guest numbers decline, due to lack of air conditioning and repairs.
1974: After several years of deterioration, The Vinoy finally closes.
1978: St. Petersburg citizens are instrumental in securing The Vinoy’s place on the National Register of Historic Places.
1980s: A voter referendum spares The Vinoy from the wrecking ball.
1992: After a painstaking two-year renovation, The Vinoy re-opens, restored to its original grandeur and its place as the epicenter of St. Petersburg’s downtown waterfront. The National Trust for Historic Preservation names it one of the Historic Hotels of America.
2000: The Vinoy celebrates its 75th birthday, more opulent than ever, and the Palm Court Ballroom is added.
2009: A multi-million-dollar renovation includes a Dale Chihuly chandelier in the Grand Ballroom.
2011: The lobby and veranda are transformed, creat- ing a lively waterfront vibe.
2012: To commemorate the resort’s 20th anniversary since its grand reopening in 1992, The Vinoy restored four original murals in Marchand’s Bar & Grill.
2015: The Vinoy® Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club celebrates 90 years.
STEP BACK IN TIME Honored with an Award for Outstanding Achievement in the
Field of Preservation Education/Media by the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, The Vinoy’s History Gallery encompasses two walls and spans the period 1901-2010, linking the resort with the history of St. Petersburg. Intriguing artifacts and exhibits— original room keys and floor tiles, pieces of china and silver, postcards and photos—are displayed in a chronological diorama.
2016: A $50 million redevelopment project commences.
2017: The Esplanade deck opens, offering casual dining with both indoor and outdoor seating and spectacular views of Tampa Bay.
2019: Renovations to the resort meeting space and The Vinoy Golf Club are completed. Paul’s Landing opens.
2021: The Vinoy Magazine adds a digital format at
TheVinoyMagazine.com.
The Vinoy 2021 13
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