Opening of $695M Sunseeker resort in Port Charlotte delayed again

The opening of the Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor has been delayed again.

In a one-paragraph note to investors late Thursday afternoon, Allegiant Travel Co. announced it was pushing back October’s scheduled opening until later in the fourth quarter of this year — but declined to give a date.

According to the note, the company “has encountered unavoidable delays attributable to the lasting effects of Hurricane Ian.”

“Because of that delay, the project has encountered seasonal weather issues in recent weeks, as well as ongoing, limited availability of construction personnel.”

The company says the delay will not affect the budget, which has already skyrocketed $185 million to $695 million, and that “it is putting the finishing touches” on the project.

This is the fourth time there has been a delay since work began in 2019.

Construction shut down for 17 months because of COVID in 2020 and then again after Hurricane Ian in 2022. Then in February a fire on the work site in shut things down again.

It was originally expected to open in late 2020, but that was pushed back to early this year after the initial delay and then pushed back to October after Ian and the fire.

As for when it will open now, even Allegiant isn’t sure.

“The company,” the note says, “will publicly announce an opening date once the date is finalized.”

The Sunseeker Resort, when complete, will have 785 rooms, 20 restaurants and bars, two pools, a spa and salon, a 117,000-square-foot “ground-level experience,” adults-only rooftop retreat, 60,000 square feet of meeting space, a harbor walk and an 18-hole golf course.