Home sweet home? Memphis-based company aims to build Home 2 Suites in Destin

A new hotel project is slated for a parcel of land along US Hwy. 98. and Restaurant Row.

The proposed Home 2 Suites project would be a minor Tier 1 development and call for the construction of a new 113-room hotel and subsequent demolition of the existing three-story bank building. The 2.23-acre property is located at 14060 Emerald Coast Parkway.

Based on the development order filed to city planners, the project will be developed by Cohen Investments, which is based in Memphis, Tenn.

Cohen Investments began as Cohen Realty Inc. in 1954, according to the company’s website. Over the years the company expanded into development and franchising operations, with entities such as Popeye’s Fried Chicken, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Hampton Inn, and Blockbuster Video stores.

Today, the company focuses on hospitality and commercial development and management.

The 2.23-acre parcel of land is owned by Spa Destin II, LLC, according to the Okaloosa County Property Appraisers website. It was sold in 2011 for $2, 494, 800.

Spa Destin II, LLC has principal and mailing addresses in New York, according to the State Division of Corporations website. Plantation, Fla.,-based CT Corporation System is listed as the registered agent on the project. A New York-based Michael Arman is listed as secretary of Spa Destin II, LLC.

A message for Cohen Investments wasn’t returned before press time Thursday.