The expansion also introduces multiple spaces intended to attract both hotel guests and locals.
“When I travel, I want to stay where the locals are. I want coffee where locals get coffee,” Del Zoppo said. “If you build experiences that locals enjoy, visitors want to be part of that.”
At street level, the Cordova Inn expansion will introduce a new restaurant, which Del Zoppo described as essential to the hotel’s long-term success.
“What I want is a great restaurant that just happens to be in a hotel,” he said. “I don’t want a hotel restaurant.”
The ownership group has taken a deliberate approach to selecting an operator, prioritizing fit over speed.
“We’re not in a race to get the next celebrity chef in St. Petersburg,” Del Zoppo said. “It’s better to wait than to shove something in. This is a long-term relationship — you don’t want to get it wrong.”
The restaurant, which will hopefully open later this year, will occupy roughly 3,000 square feet on the ground floor, along with an 800-square-foot kitchen.