Bass Pro Shops acquires top Florida fishing resort
Fishing’s most prominent retail supplier has now become the proprietor of one of the sport’s most well-known destinations in Florida.
Bass Pro Shops has acquired the Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada, Fla., — a luxury hospitality location situated on the Overseas Highway (U.S. 1) between Key Largo and Key West.
JLL handled the transaction between Northwood Investors and Bass Pro Shops. The sales price was not revealed. Northwood Hospitality will continue to operate the 27-acre, 254-room resort.
“I have come to have enormous respect for the history of Islamorada, and the generations of anglers and families who have made memories here or who are blessed to call the Keys home,” said Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops. “We’re humbled and honored to have the opportunity to help protect it and carry that story forward.”
Over the past 15 years, Northwood renovated Cheeca Lodge, adding 43 premium oceanfront suites, 11 luxury casitas and a 10,000-sq.-ft. conference center.
Three restaurants serve guests at the lodge. Atlantic’s Edge restaurant cooks fish freshly caught at the resort; pizza and house-made pasta are available at Mia Cucina, and fresh sushi is served at an intimate 12-seat bar at Nikai.
Northwood also expanded the property after having acquired the adjacent Casitas and Morada Bay properties on the Overseas Highway.
"Over the past 15 years, we've had the privilege of serving as stewards of one of the Florida Keys’ most iconic properties,” said Northwood Investors CEO John Kukral. “We are proud to pass the torch to Bass Pro Shops, whose commitment to conservation and the outdoors makes them ideal leaders for its next chapter.”
Since 1946, Cheeca Lodge & Spa has held a revered place in the history of American sportfishing, attracting legendary anglers, presidents, athletes and authors that have included George H.W. Bush, Harry Truman, Ernest Hemingway, Zane Grey, Ted Williams, and Jack Nicklaus, who designed the resort’s on-premises 9-hole par 3 golf course.
