New plans show 5-story hotel sought in Silver Springs

A conceptual plan was presented to the Marion County Development Review Committee this week for a new Home2 Suites by Hilton sought near the intersection of East Silver Springs Boulevard and Baseline Road.

A major site plan for the Headsprings, LLC project was reviewed by the committee during its regular meeting on Monday. Plans have been in the works for the project dating back several years.

Located at 5495 N.E. 25th Street, between NE 58th Avenue and NE 25th Street, the site is another project by HDG Legacy, a local company that has developed multiple hotels over the years.

The new Home2 Suites in Silver Springs would be comprised of a five-story, 72,100-square-foot building that would feature 106 guest rooms and 109 parking spaces.

The hotel would be situated on a parcel just south of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Silver Springs-Ocala by IHG, another facility under HDG Legacy’s portfolio.

Home2 Suites by Hilton generally targets travelers seeking extended-stay options. They feature rooms with living spaces, in-suite kitchens, and other amenities meant to convey a sense of home to travelers.

Additionally, they tend to offer pet-friendly services, multifunctional community spaces, fitness areas, laundry rooms, and even digital check-in options.

Development plans show that the address of the proposed hotel would most likely change to reflect the main driveway access and frontage off NE 58th Avenue whenever a potential building permit is submitted.

The new Home2 Suites would join at least eight other hotels and motels nearby that serve visitors to Silver Springs State Park and Marion County, including Silver River Inn, Days Inn, Spring Side Motel, Sun Plaza Motel, Rodeway Inn, OYO Hotel Mustang, Stage Stop Resort, and Extended Stay America, among others.

In addition to the new Home2 Suites, HDG is also behind the AC Hotel by Marriott that is currently under construction in downtown Ocala, a Howard Johnson by Windham in northwest Ocala, a StayBridge Suites that opened recently in that area as well, and a TownePlace Suites by Marriott and Best Western that are both in southwest Ocala.