Innisfree Hotels Expands Pensacola Footprint with Dual-Purpose Development

The centerpiece of this expansion is a 215-room Hampton Inn by Hilton located at 20 Via De Luna Drive. Upon its scheduled 2028 opening, the property will become the seventh Innisfree-managed hotel in Escambia County, featuring the beach’s first hotel waterslides and a sprawling lazy river. Beyond the leisure amenities, the development is expected to inject over $16.6 million in annual tax revenue into the local economy while creating roughly 150 permanent jobs.

While the hotel focuses on tourism, the Hive Arts Academy represents the company’s philanthropic pivot. Situated on North Davis Highway, the 6,000-square-foot facility is slated to open next summer, offering students in grades 8 through 12 specialized training in fields ranging from culinary arts to engineering. By placing the academy near an Escambia County Area Transit stop, the project aims to anchor redevelopment in the city's Eastside Urban Infill area. Ted Ent, President and CEO of Innisfree, noted that the dual investment reflects a philosophy where tourism success serves as the primary engine for social programming.