A proposal to convert two long-vacant Dronningens Gade properties into a boutique waterfront hotel has received conceptual approval from the St. Thomas-St. John Historic Preservation Committee. The decision allows design work to continue but is not final construction approval.
Crystal Blue Operations' concept covers the former waterfront Pizza Hut property at 21 Dronningens Gade and the neighboring International Plaza at number 22. Plans currently call for roughly 140 guest rooms, food-and-beverage spaces, meeting facilities, a gym, interior courtyards and a rooftop bar.
The design team told the committee that the upper floors would step back from the street to reduce their visual impact and preserve the scale of the historic waterfront. It also proposes removing corroded modern structural elements inside International Plaza while retaining historic exterior masonry and the building's courtyard form.
The developer described spring 2029 as a tentative opening target and said a major hotel brand has not yet been announced. The project still faces detailed design, preservation and other permitting reviews, so its final form, schedule and financing should not be treated as settled.
The preservation committee and permitting agencies should publish the conceptual approval, renderings, required revisions, public-comment opportunities and each remaining review milestone in one accessible project record.
Source published September 8, 2026. Read the original reporting or release for the complete record.
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