100-Room Hotel Proposed for Quaint Florida Community

Developer plans hotel, townhomes, and retail in Hobe Sound, raising concerns from locals

Mar. 27, 2026 at 9:04am

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A developer, Gelcorp Industries, is proposing a 100-room hotel, townhomes, and upscale retail in the quaint Florida community of Hobe Sound. The plans are still conceptual, but the developer says Hobe Sound currently lacks a hotel and has seen significant golf course development in the area. Some locals are concerned about the potential impact on the community's character and the need for preserved green space.

Why it matters

The proposed development in Hobe Sound highlights the tension between economic growth and preserving the character of a small, quaint community. As Hobe Sound sees more development, there are concerns about maintaining the town's identity and ensuring a balance between new construction and green space.

The details

Gelcorp Industries is planning a 100-room hotel, townhomes, and upscale retail on 16 acres in Hobe Sound. The developer says the project would have a local feel, but no plans have been submitted to Martin County yet. The company is still determining the footprint of the potential development and expects to file plans in at least a year. Some locals, like Harry MacArthur of Harry and the Natives restaurant, believe Hobe Sound needs a hotel but are skeptical about the demand for luxury duplexes. Other residents, like Diana Owens, are concerned the development will change the character of the town and want to preserve green space.

  • Gelcorp Industries is building The Landings at Hobe Sound Village, a 16-home luxury duplex community, behind Abaco Pools on U.S. 1.
  • Gelcorp Industries owns 1.5 acres north of The Landings where retail might be built, and 15 acres to the south where a boutique hotel and condominiums or townhomes could be built.
  • Gelcorp expects to file plans with Martin County in at least a year.

The players

Gelcorp Industries

The developer proposing the 100-room hotel, townhomes, and upscale retail in Hobe Sound.

Matt Basaraba

The executive vice president and chief operating officer of Gelcorp Industries.

Harry MacArthur

The owner and namesake of Harry and the Natives restaurant in Hobe Sound.

Carl Keever

The owner of Abaco Pools in Hobe Sound.

Diana Owens

A long-time resident of Hobe Sound who lives near the proposed development site.

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What they’re saying

“Plans are conceptual. Nothing is in stone, he said, calling the plans so far simply a sketch on a napkin.”

— Matt Basaraba, Executive vice president and chief operating officer of Gelcorp Industries

“Hobe Sound probably does need a hotel, said Harry MacArthur, owner and namesake of Harry and the Natives. However, he said, he fails to see the market for the duplexes.”

— Harry MacArthur, Owner and namesake of Harry and the Natives

“Hobe Sound ... really doesn't have anything like that (a hotel). So, it's probably going to satisfy things for a lot of people, but I don't know.”

— Carl Keever, Owner of Abaco Pools

“I know we can't put Hobe Sound in a bubble. That's my Diana Owens' prediction. I'd hate to see my little town go like that.”

— Diana Owens, Hobe Sound resident

What’s next

Gelcorp Industries expects to file plans with Martin County in at least a year as the company determines the footprint of the potential development.

The takeaway

The proposed hotel, townhomes, and retail development in Hobe Sound highlights the challenge of balancing economic growth and preserving the character of a small, tight-knit community. As Hobe Sound sees more development, there are concerns about maintaining the town's identity and ensuring a balance between new construction and green space.