New Hotels for STX & STT

A.J. Pike

USVI - The Economic Development Commission (EDC) voted unanimously to approve tax incentives for two new hotel developments, one on St. Croix and the other on St. Thomas. 

Historic Heritage Holdings LLC has drawn up plans to build a Boutique Hotel in downtown Christiansted that will feature 66 rooms, a swimming pool, a gym, and three restaurants. The firm is headed up by brilliant visionary developer Peter Zielke who has been developing an area on Hospital Street which has become known as Uptown Christiansted.

“What we’re really trying to do is build an entire arts, entertainment and hospitality district,” said Mr. Zielke, who already has repurposed several buildings in the area, including a magnificent B&B. 

Mr. Zielke’s newest venture is set to employ at least 15 full-time workers within one year after opening. 

The St. Thomas development is slated to reopen what has been locally known as the old Sugar Bay Resort, damaged during the 2017 hurricanes, under one of the Hilton brands, which has yet to be announced. The Hilton project will have 300 rooms and sit on 30 acres along with employing 150 workers when it opens, and that number will increase to 175 after the first year of operation. It is expected to open in the first or second quarter of 2026. 

“We believe this project will contribute significantly to the Virgin Islands tourist industry as well as the Virgin Islands economy,” said attorney Adriane Dudley, who represented Hilton at a May 2025 public hearing on the project.

Hilton spent $20 million for the property in 2022 and is expected to invest another $62 million for the construction of the resort.