Farewell Fenwick Sands – Hello Fenwick Shores

The newly designed and constructed Fenwick Shores, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotel, opened to guests this month at 1501 Coastal Highway in Fenwick Island, Delaware. The Tapestry Collection is the 14th brand and second collection brand for Hilton, the world’s fastest growing hospitality company. The hotel brand provides travelers with an independent hotel experience with the loyalty they expect from Hilton. The 23,054 square foot hotel replaced the two-story Fenwick Sands Hotel that catered to beach visitors for the last seventy years, following in the footsteps of the Tingle Motel that opened in the same spot in 1948. It includes 65 rooms on three floors with a grand lobby that opens to a large living room and gathering space with a built-in ground level bar. On the second floor there is a Grand Ball room with a “pre-function” space overlooking the living room below. Amenities include a fitness center, outdoor pool, and bar on the third floor and full kitchen to serve the pool and covered dining area. Other Fisher Architecture projects completed for the client include 8th Street Apartments in Ocean City, a business office in Teal Marsh and Concord Pet renovations in West Ocean City.

Going into it, we knew the town of Fenwick wasn’t going to allow a property to be taller than 30’ and that included elevator overruns. We coordinated with the town and worked to gain approval to permit an additional height required for the elevator above the principal maximum building height permitted. Also, to meet the required parking quantity, we elevated the building to allow parking beneath the hotel, taking a two-story building to three stories.

We overcame many hurdles throughout this project and as a result we have a stunning hotel for guests to enjoy. I welcomed the opportunity to work on a hotel project with an original and upscale brand like the Tapestry Collection by Hilton. It speaks to a unique spirit in its design yet offers guests a familiar and comfortable experience.

We value the ongoing relationship we have with Spiro Buas. We knew there were some hurdles we had to overcome to help with the feasibility of the project. Our team worked diligently with the town to find solutions to meet the building’s projected size and associated parking requirements. I am thrilled that his trust in our hotel experience has allowed us to help his vision become a reality for all to enjoy.

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