Related Ross Plans $290M Curio Hotel Near West Palm Convention Center

Key Points

• Stephen M. Ross’s Related Ross is proposing a $290 million, 400-room Curio by Hilton hotel in Downtown West Palm Beach.

• The developer plans to sell the land to Palm Beach County for $1 and lease it back for 99 years, paying about $2 million in annual rent.

• The site, valued around $20 million, sits across from Ross’s existing Hilton West Palm Beach at 600 Okeechobee Boulevard.

Billionaire developer Stephen Ross is doubling down on downtown West Palm Beach. His firm, Related Ross, is proposing a second major convention center hotel — a 400-room Curio by Hilton costing $290 million. The deal involves selling the land to the county for $1 and leasing it back for nearly a century. 

Deal Structure

The hotel would rise at 900 South Rosemary Avenue, on a 1.8-acre parking lot just south of the CityPlace South Tower condo and across from the existing Hilton West Palm Beach. The project’s structure mirrors the one used for that hotel: Palm Beach County would own the land, while Related Ross would lease it for 99 years.

The proposal calls for $2 million in annual rent payments to the county, which values the land at about $20 million. Since the county would technically own the site, Related Ross wouldn’t pay property taxes on the land, improving the project’s return profile.

This marks Ross’s second attempt to develop a hotel on this site. A previous plan for a 20-story, 404-room Hilton Signia was scrapped due to rising construction costs, tariffs, and tighter financing conditions.

Why It Matters for Landlords and Investors

Tax and Cost Efficiency
The land-lease model lets developers cut tax exposure while securing a long-term operating base. For investors, this shows how smart structuring can make high-cost projects viable even in tight financing markets.

Confidence in West Palm’s Growth
Despite economic headwinds, Ross’s $290 million reinvestment signals strong confidence in West Palm’s convention and hospitality market. The city’s downtown continues to attract institutional capital, pushing land values and lease rates higher.

Strategic Location and Synergy
The new hotel would enhance the convention center’s appeal and strengthen Ross’s downtown footprint. For nearby landlords, this could mean higher visitor traffic, more retail demand, and firmer commercial rents.

Key Watch Points

• Financing costs remain a risk as borrowing rates stay elevated.

• Public scrutiny is likely, given the symbolic $1 sale and tax advantages.

• Market saturation could emerge, with two large hotels competing in the same convention submarket.

Stephen Ross’s latest West Palm Beach proposal is more than a hotel plan — it’s a signal of enduring confidence in the city’s high-end hospitality market. By leveraging a long-term lease with the county, Related Ross is reducing costs while reinforcing its control of one of Florida’s fastest-growing urban districts. For landlords and investors, West Palm remains a market worth watching closely.