There’s an unexpected twist, or tryst, in Wilton Manors’ years-long dream of getting a hotel in the city.
Tristan Schukraft’s company Tryst Hospitality says it’s planning to create The Tryst Wilton Manors, a “gay luxury boutique hotel.” Shukraft has a history in hospitality, including ownership of the legendary The Abbey in West Hollywood.
His company is also in the process of opening a string of boutique hotels. It has already opened in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and its website lists several others coming soon including Puerto Rico, Fire Island, and Brazil. Their website does not mention Wilton Manors.
Tryst Hospitality isn’t saying where the hotel will go, although spokesman Brian Rosman said it is not part of the hotel plan for Dixie Hwy., and it will be on Wilton Drive.
A Tricky Location
That begs the obvious question: where will it go?
The obvious spot would be in Shoppes of Wilton Manors (Alibi Plaza), where development has stalled. However, this does not appear to be the case.
The Gazette has learned that Tryst Hospitality would like to build on the sites of Johnsons, Art Frenzie, and Wilton Executive Suites. Broward County records show all three properties are owned by different entities, but all entities share the same mailing address.
Rosman declined comment on any plan specifics. Pride Holdings Group (PHG), which owns Johnsons, had not yet returned our calls at the time of publication. Roberta Moore, the city’s Director of Development Services, says no one has approached the city to begin discussions.
Tryst does say they plan to close on the undisclosed property/properties as early as January and that the project “will enter its design and development era” once that happens. That phrase suggests that new construction, as opposed to repurposing existing buildings, is in the plans.
Schukraft already has history in Wilton Manors. He served as a Grand Marshal in the city’s Stonewall Pride parade and Mistr, a company he founded to provide PrEP to the gay community, has an office on Wilton Drive but it is not in any of the properties being considered.
