Holmes Beach Mixed-Use Project to Move Forward With New Construction at Former Bank Site
Anna Maria Island businessman Jake Spooner plans to demolish the former Wells Fargo bank building at the corner of Gulf Drive and Marina Drive and replace it with a newly constructed mixed-use development.
Spooner said construction could begin as early as March, pending permit approvals and completion of updated design work. In December 2024, the Holmes Beach City Commission approved the site plan for the project, which will be located on Anna Maria Island.
The development is planned to include Spooner’s ground-level Island Bazaar retail store, an outdoor miniature golf course, and a small stand-alone arcade. Additional ground-floor space will be leased to the Fudge Factory candy and ice cream shop. The second floor is slated to house Mingo’s, a 125-seat family-friendly restaurant and bar to be operated by Ben Sato.
Spooner initially explored preserving part of the existing bank structure, but said recent engineering analysis showed that full demolition would be the better option. He explained that although the building was originally designed to meet FEMA’s 50% rule, updated evaluations indicated the project would not comply under that approach. Various options were considered, including retaining the two-story section, but structural limitations and ceiling-height constraints ultimately led to the decision to demolish the entire building.
According to Spooner, cost estimates and engineering recommendations confirmed that constructing a completely new, flood-proofed building would be more practical than attempting to incorporate portions of the 60- to 70-year-old structure. Design revisions are currently underway, and a demolition permit is expected to be requested from the city as soon as this week.
Once demolition is complete, updated architectural and engineering plans will be submitted to the city for review in order to obtain a building permit. Spooner said the overall construction timeline is expected to take approximately 10 to 12 months, and emphasized that the approved site plan itself will not change.
Spooner noted that the city has not contributed to any delays in the project and described city staff as cooperative and supportive throughout the process.
Holmes Beach Director of Development Services Chad Minor confirmed that the city has been informed of the engineer’s recommendation not to reuse the existing structure. Minor said a demolition permit will be required for the removal of the building.
Minor added that if the revised construction plans remain consistent with the previously approved site plan, additional approval from the city commission would not be necessary. City staff will review the new plans for compliance and determine whether any further commission action is required once the documents are submitted.
