CITY OF LAKE WALES – City staff is seeking qualified developers to submit statements of interest and qualifications to redevelop the historic Walesbilt Hotel in downtown Lake Wales.
The process involves two steps:
- Submit a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) by July 18, 2025 at 2:00 P.M. The RFQ is issued to evaluate and shortlist developers based on their technical expertise, financial capacity, project experience and recent relevant innovative strategies for adaptive reuse of properties similar to the Walesbilt Hotel. Respondents must demonstrate their ability to preserve historic integrity, enhance economic viability and implement best practices in redevelopment.
- Selected candidates on August 8, 2025 will be notified to submit a Request for Proposal (RFP) by October 10, 2025. The RFP will be issued to identify a qualified developer based on proposed approach, proposed team, experience of the offeror, capacity and cost effectiveness/budget.
All persons and firms wishing to submit qualifications must obtain a complete copy of the RFQ and submit all required forms as outlined in the solicitation document with their response. Proposals and related forms may be accessed on the City’s website, www.lakewalesfl.gov, or by contacting Cynthia Monk at [email protected] (863) 678-4182.
The 10-story hotel features Mediterranean-Revival architecture. On the ground floor, more than 10 retail and office spaces with Palladian windows line the arcade which runs north and south from the center of the grand lobby. Corinthian columns, an Italian coffered ceiling, mezzanine, cement arches and marble floors, enchant the lobby, with a second-story veranda overlooking First Street and Park Avenue – both roadways recently redeveloped in a multimillion-dollar streetscape project.
Link to RFQ documents: https://www.lakewalesfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14003/Walesbilt-Hotel_RFP_060925
