![] Six men in white hard hats posing with shovels of soil at the groundbreaking ceremony of Hotel Tristan.](https://conventionsouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Hotel-Tristan-Groundbreaking-014.jpg)
PENSACOLA, Fla.—A groundbreaking ceremony on Nov. 14 marked the start of construction for Hotel Tristan, Pensacola’s first upscale boutique hotel in the middle of downtown’s East Garden District. It was hosted by Catalyst Healthcare Real Estate, The Thrash Group, and The 1559 Collective, in partnership with Tandem Hospitality Group.
Catalyst founder and CEO Chad Henderson was joined by key partners Joseph Thrash and Ike Thrash, partners of The Thrash Group, and Tom Hemer, vice president of sales and marketing for Tandem Hospitality. Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves and Nicole Stacy, vice president of destination development for Visit Pensacola, were also in attendance.
Set to open in late 2026 at the corner of Chase and Jefferson streets, Hotel Tristan will feature 122 guest rooms, a fitness center, and multiple meeting and event spaces. A rooftop bar—the first one in downtown Pensacola—will offer panoramic views of the city, while the onsite restaurant off the lobby will serve up Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
The hotel’s design pays tribute to Spanish explorer Tristan de Luna, who first settled in Pensacola in 1559.
Henderson and his team have previous projects in the area, including a $2.2 million road beautification initiative in partnership with the City of Pensacola, renovations of 42 E. Garden Street (The Well) and 18 E. Garden Street (Papa’s Pizza), and the $2.5 million new construction relocation of Union Public House at the corner of Garden and Jefferson streets. Hotel Tristan marks the next step in the revitalization of the area.
