Project Highlights
• Downtown Kissimmee is getting a major new look with the planned Azure Hotel and Convention Center, a project that could bring luxury stays, rooftop views, and fresh momentum to the city core.
• A $180 million hotel and convention center project could help reshape downtown Kissimmee, blending upscale design with a distinctly Central Florida feel.
• Kissimmee just got its first look at the Azure Hotel and Convention Center, and the project could be a big step toward making downtown more of a true destination.
• From rooftop views to a nature-inspired design, the new Azure Hotel and Convention Center is shaping up to be one of downtown Kissimmee’s most talked-about developments.
• The planned Azure Hotel and Convention Center could bring new energy, new visitors, and a whole new identity to the heart of downtown Kissimmee.
Downtown Kissimmee may be on the verge of one of its biggest glow-ups yet.
City leaders and residents just got a first look at the planned Azure Hotel and Convention Center, a $180 million project that could bring a new level of energy, visibility, and foot traffic to the heart of downtown. And while the curved-glass exterior leans sleek and modern, the vision behind the project is rooted in something a lot more familiar to locals: Florida’s natural beauty.
According to Azure Hotels CEO Ramon Gomez, the design takes inspiration from the land, light, and atmosphere that make this part of Central Florida feel distinctly like home.
“The theme is based on the Florida nature, especially in that area, Kissimmee,” Gomez said during the unveiling. He described the concept as a blend of water, earth, wind, and sun.
That balance of upscale design and local identity could be exactly what downtown Kissimmee has been missing.
A Hotel Designed Around the Feel of Central Florida
From the renderings, this doesn’t look like a generic convention hotel dropped into downtown and called a day. The team is clearly trying to create something that feels more connected to place.
Inside the lobby, terrazzo floors are designed to mimic a flowing stream, while sculpted ceilings and cloud-like chandeliers are meant to echo the sky. The result sounds more resort-inspired than corporate, which makes sense in a market like Kissimmee, where visitors expect a little atmosphere with their stay.
One of the most interesting design elements is the porte cochère, which leads to an elevated park connected to the second-floor spa and pool deck. Gomez calls that area “the oasis,” and honestly, that name fits. With palm trees, lush landscaping, and views over a fountain and koi pond, it sounds like the kind of space designed to make an impression the second you arrive.
That matters, especially in downtown Kissimmee, where the city has been working to build a stronger identity beyond being the place you drive through on your way to somewhere else.
The Luxury Details Are Meant to Stand Out
The full-service hotel will include 300 rooms, along with the kind of amenities aimed at meetings, events, and higher-end leisure travelers. That includes a full spa, restaurant, meeting space, rooftop bar, and a jewel-box event venue with views over downtown Kissimmee and Lake Tohopekaliga.
And yes, there’s a true headline-grabber in the mix: a 4,000-square-foot presidential suite with two bedrooms, a private terrace, hot tub, outdoor bar, and chaise lounges. It’s the kind of feature that feels built for weddings, VIP guests, and the occasional “let’s go big” staycation.
Then there’s the ballroom, which may end up being one of the hotel’s biggest selling points.
Gomez says the main ballroom will sit on the 10th floor and be wrapped in glass, giving guests nearly panoramic views of the area.
“You can see to the airport, you can see to Disney to see the fireworks,” he said.
For anyone who knows this market, that’s a smart play. In Central Florida, views sell. And a rooftop event space with sightlines stretching from downtown Kissimmee toward the attractions corridor gives this project a feature that feels memorable instead of standard.
A New Architectural Direction for the Project
Gomez confirmed that ARC4 Design will now lead the project as architect, replacing Pininfarina. He said the decision came down to budget and what was feasible under the agreement with the city.
That kind of shift is not unusual on a project this large. What matters more is that the overall concept still appears intact, and the team is continuing to move forward with a design that aims to feel elevated without drifting too far from financial reality.
The Convention Center Could Be a Big Deal for Downtown
As eye-catching as the hotel is, the 45,000-square-foot convention center may be just as important to the long-term success of the development.
The convention center is planned for the current site of the Kissimmee Civic Center, with demolition expected to begin in late April or early May. Gomez said that process could take anywhere from 90 to 220 days.
After that, the development team expects permit approval by September, then construction would begin first on the hotel in January, followed by the convention center a few months later. The contractor team includes a joint venture between Turner Construction and Sky Builders.
The projected timeline calls for the convention center to be ready for occupancy by December 2028, with the hotel following in January 2029.
Gomez said he does not want the convention center delivered too far ahead of the hotel, which would leave the venue operating without the on-site hospitality support it needs.
That’s a practical concern, and frankly, a smart one. Event space works a lot better when the rooms, amenities, and guest experience are built right into the same destination.
Designed to Fit Downtown Kissimmee, Not Fight It
One of the better details in the plan is that the convention center won’t ignore the character of downtown Kissimmee.
Its exterior will feature white brick, a nod to the area’s historic buildings, mixed with glass and wood for a cleaner, more updated look. That blend should help the building feel modern without looking out of place next to the rest of downtown.
Inside, the convention center will include its own cafe, pre-function space, and a ballroom that can be divided into four separate rooms.
That flexibility matters because it opens the door for more than just one type of event. Think meetings, banquets, conferences, community functions, and private events that want something more polished than the city has historically had available downtown.
Why This Project Matters for Kissimmee
Kissimmee has always had location working in its favor. It sits close to the airport, close to the theme parks, and close to some of the most heavily visited parts of Central Florida. But downtown has often felt like it’s still waiting on the kind of anchor project that could help pull everything together.
This could be one of those projects.
A hotel and convention center of this scale has the potential to bring more overnight guests, more business travel, more events, and more activity into the downtown core. That could mean more visibility for local restaurants, more support for nearby businesses, and more reason for visitors to spend time in Kissimmee itself instead of treating it like a pass-through.
And maybe that’s the bigger story here.
Yes, the renderings are sleek. Yes, the rooftop views sound impressive. Yes, the ballroom and spa will get attention. But the real opportunity is what this could do for downtown Kissimmee’s identity.
If this project delivers on its promise, it won’t just add rooms and meeting space. It could help create a more memorable, more connected, and more destination-worthy version of downtown Kissimmee.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Azure Hotel and Convention Center in downtown Kissimmee?
The Downtown Kissimmee Azure Hotel is a planned $180 million hospitality project that includes a 300-room luxury hotel and a 45,000-square-foot convention center in the city core.
Where will the Azure Hotel be built in Kissimmee?
The Azure Hotel Kissimmee project is planned for the site of the current Kissimmee Civic Center in downtown Kissimmee.
How many rooms will the new Kissimmee hotel have?
The new Kissimmee convention center hotel will have 300 guest rooms, including a 4,000-square-foot presidential suite with a private terrace, hot tub, and outdoor bar.
What amenities will the Azure Hotel include?
Plans for the Downtown Kissimmee Azure Hotel include a full spa, restaurant, rooftop bar, event space, meeting rooms, and a glass-wrapped ballroom with sweeping views of downtown Kissimmee and Lake Tohopekaliga.
What will the convention center include?
The new Kissimmee convention center will include 45,000 square feet of space, a cafe, pre-function areas, and a ballroom that can be divided into four separate rooms.
Who is designing the Azure Hotel project?
Azure Hotels CEO Ramon Gomez said ARC4 Design is now serving as lead architect for the downtown Kissimmee development, replacing Pininfarina for budget-related reasons.
When will construction begin on the Azure Hotel and Convention Center?
Demolition of the current civic center site is expected to begin in late April or early May. The project team expects hotel construction to begin in January, with convention center construction following a few months later.
When is the Azure Hotel in Kissimmee expected to open?
Current plans call for the Kissimmee hotel project to open in January 2029, while the convention center could be ready for occupancy by December 2028.
Why is this project important for downtown Kissimmee?
This downtown Kissimmee development could bring more visitors, business events, and foot traffic to local restaurants, shops, and public spaces, helping strengthen downtown’s identity as a destination instead of just a pass-through.
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