ESJ Capital Partners, the owner of Jungle Island, has submitted plans with the City of Miami for the development of a new hotel on the island. The submission of the plans, per the lease amendment approved by voters in a recent referendum, is the next step in the process for ESJ to modernize Jungle Island into a true eco-adventure-themed destination. The approval allows for the development of a 300-room hotel with a maximum height of 130 feet as well as 30,000 sq ft of meeting space and 10,000 sq ft of retail. Jungle Island, previously Parrot Jungle, was founded in 1936 in the Miami-Dade County suburb of Pinecrest. The facility was moved and opened as Jungle Island in 2003 on Watson Island along the MacArthur Causeway.
“The manner in which this hotel concept compliments our attractions and all Watson Island is extremely compelling,” said Elie Mimoun, COO of ESJ Capital Partners. “We are extremely grateful to the community for the referendum approval this past August, and we look forward to working with the city and its residents to ensure a win-win for all.”
