Palm Pavilion Restaurant & Inn Sells for $23 Million

Palm Pavilion Restaurant & Inn in Clearwater, Fla. has sold for $23 million. Beachside Hospitality Group, a St. Petersburg-based hospitality company, purchased the beachside Palm Pavilion Restaurant, while McKibbon Equities, a Tampa-based hospitality group, purchased the Inn. The property, located at 10 Bay Esplanade and 18 Bay Esplanade in Clearwater, Fla., has been family-owned and -operated for more than 60 years.

Built in 1926, the Palm Pavilion is recognized as the oldest operating beach pavilion in Florida. The property includes an 11,869-square-foot restaurant and a 12,129-square-foot, 37-unit inn, along with on-site parking.

John Gerlach, Jake Gerlach and Cyndi Cushman of Colliers represented the sellers, Sunset Green Flash, LLC; Palm Pavilion, Inc.; and Palm Pavilion of Clearwater, Inc. The LLCs are operated by the Hamilton family, who purchased Palm Pavillion in 1964. Palm Pavillion entered its second generation of family ownership in the 1980s when the four Hamilton brothers – Ken, Dale, Hoyt and Wade Hamilton - took over operations.

Beachside Hospitality Group was represented by John Fahey of SRS Real Estate Partners.

“The Palm Pavilion is one of the most recognizable beachside properties in Florida, and the Hamilton family was very thoughtful about finding a buyer who understood both the legacy of the restaurant and the long-term value of the inn,” said John Gerlach, executive vice president with Colliers. “The buyers have deep experience in the hospitality industry and stood out as the groups with the experience and vision needed to carry this property forward.”

The Hamilton family has owned and operated the business for more than 60 years, transforming it into a full-scale restaurant in the 1990s and opening the Palm Pavilion Inn in 1988. The property has earned numerous accolades, including repeated recognition as the best beach bar in Visit St. Pete/Clearwater’s “Best of” awards. After decades of successful operation, the family felt it was time to move on and pass the torch to another qualified operator.

Beachside Hospitality Group will maintain operations of the restaurant and will rename it Crabby’s Beachside Pavilion, to reflect the shift in ownership. McKibbon’s management company, McKibbon Hospitality, will operate the inn.

“This decision was bittersweet for our family,” said Ken Hamilton, president and managing partner. “We’re grateful to know that Palm Pavilion’s legacy will continue, and we look forward to celebrating its 100th anniversary this May alongside the new owners.”

McKibbon Hospitality will also celebrate its 100th anniversary this year. The family-owned and operated firm manages several hotels, restaurants and short-term rentals throughout the country. Including two beachfront properties in Clearwater: Hampton Inn & Suites Clearwater Beach and Dolphin Sands Clearwater Beach.

Beachside Hospitality Group has four existing restaurants on Clearwater Beach, and 11 other restaurants across 10 Florida cities. In 2024, the group acquired the Sandbar restaurant on Anna Maria Island, Mar Vista on Longboat Key and Beach House in Bradenton Beach. Those concepts have retained their original names and chefs.

Beachside Hospital Group plans to maintain the same staff and much of the same menu that patrons of The Palm Pavillion have come to expect. They’ll also continue having live music.