DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Daytona Beach’s historic Plaza Resort is once again drawing attention as city officials and condo owners demand answers about when the shuttered landmark will finally move toward restoration.
The resort has remained closed since the hurricanes of 2022. Now, the city is holding owner Jonathan Abraham Eid accountable for resolving numerous outstanding code and safety violations.
Eid, who purchased the historic property in 2021, addressed its uncertain future publicly Tuesday as pressure continues to build around the stalled project.
Officials declared the building noncompliant in August because of code problems as well as health and safety concerns. Eid said major exterior repairs have been completed, but additional outside work and interior renovations cannot proceed until engineers provide further direction.
“Now it’s up for the engineering to get back to us at this current stage and tell us, hey, we’re going to be able to finish it within three weeks, a month, a month and a half, and we’re waiting for that,” Eid said.
Although some permits have been obtained, the Plaza still requires many more before it can meet city standards. Eid acknowledged that a firm construction schedule has yet to be established. Special Magistrate David Vukelja emphasized that he intends to keep the project moving.
“I understand this is a big project. I understand it’s involved. You don’t need to bother me with the minutia, but I’m responsible for getting it done. And this is a very important property to the city of Daytona Beach,” Vukelja said.
Eid had been at risk of facing daily fines totaling hundreds of dollars, but no additional penalties were issued Tuesday. The Plaza is operated as a condo-hotel, leaving more than 600 owners — many of whom live outside the area — financially stuck. Owners say they have spent thousands of dollars during years of delays while remaining unable to enter their units.
Dennis Warren is among those owners. He said residents have endured the shutdown for an unacceptable length of time.
“We’ve been waiting four years that the building has been shut down. He has received over $20 million to fix that place and has had it — we don’t know where that is,” Warren said.
Warren said owners continue to pay their monthly assessments because they fear stopping could put their ownership interests at risk.
“He is getting $30,000 a month from us owners on assessments we have to pay while we try to get some sort of accountability — someone to help us,” Warren said.
The next city hearing is set for Dec. 8. Vukelja said he expects to see the necessary permits and a detailed construction plan by then.
Repairs are also underway at the Seabreeze Boulevard beach access, which was closed after officials determined the structure above it was unsafe. The city reports continued progress, though it has not announced a projected completion date.
