REVERB by Hard Rock® Expands to Pensacola with New Hotel Development Slated for 2029

Thursday, August 8, 2024

Hard Rock International announced its plans to develop REVERB by Hard Rock® Pensacola, with construction set to begin in 2026 and an opening slated for 2029. REVERB by Hard Rock® is a distinctive hotel brand crafted to serve as a vibrant cultural hub for music enthusiasts, locals, and travelers. This marks the sixth addition to the REVERB portfolio, joining properties in Atlanta, Hamburg, and others currently under development in Kalamazoo, Tampa, and Scottsdale.

REVERB by Hard Rock® Pensacola will boast over 125 technologically advanced hotel rooms, a full-service restaurant, rooftop bar, lobby bar and lounge, quick service restaurant, and a fitness center. The hotel will also offer an exclusive REVERB City Guide for Pensacola, featuring local artist-curated lists of top dining, drinking, and entertainment spots in the area. Additionally, the property will include a podcast recording studio for local talent and creators, as well as meeting spaces for conferences.

Situated downtown at Maritime Park along Pensacola Bay, the property will offer scenic views of the water and Blue Wahoos Stadium, with easy access to local attractions like beautiful beaches, the National Naval Aviation Museum, and the Pensacola Museum of Art. The hotel will be developed on a 100-year ground lease with the city of Pensacola, pending a City Council vote on August 8, 2024. The project is expected to provide an economic boost to the area, creating over 500 construction jobs and 75 permanent hospitality positions with competitive wages.

“Hard Rock is thrilled to keep growing our REVERB hotel portfolio with what will be the second planned property in Florida, this time in the heart of Pensacola Bay. We have full confidence in our partner, the Dawson Company, to deliver a best-in-class hotel based on their four decades of proven experience executing complex and catalytic projects throughout the eastern United States, and their extensive knowledge of the Pensacola market,” said Todd Hricko, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Hotel Development at Hard Rock International.

The Dawson Company, a Pensacola-based development firm known for its landmark mixed-use projects in cities like Atlanta and Cincinnati, has assembled a world-renowned design and engineering team for this project. The team includes Gensler, the globally renowned architectural design firm, and Kravitz Design, led by music and style icon Lenny Kravitz, known for their innovative yet accessible artistic style. Thornton Tomasetti, a leader in mass timber design, will also contribute to the project.

“With its roots in music, entertainment and philanthropy, Hard Rock is a wonderful partner for The Dawson Company to continue extending our real estate footprint,” said Tamara Bowens, President & Chief Operating Officer for the Dawson Company. “We are truly excited to bring the REVERB by Hard Rock to the city of Pensacola and we look forward to also working closely with Gensler, Kravitz Design and Thornton Tomasetti to develop what’s to become an incredible mainstay in Pensacola.”

Additional partners include Pensacola native, NFL Hall of Famer, and real estate entrepreneur Emmitt Smith, CEO of EJ Smith Enterprises.