Marineland Dolphin Adventure, the world’s first oceanarium and for most of its 87 years a Florida tourist destination with a storied past, was sold at auction on Monday for $7.1 million to a mystery company with scarce footprints that goes by the name of Delightful Development LLC.
No such company is registered with the Florida Division of Corporations. The name is registered in a few other states, including in Texas, where it was registered this year. The Texas-based Delightful Development was co-founded by Craig Cavileer, formerly of Magestic Realty Co., a commercial developer. But it isn’t at all clear whether the two delights are the same corporate entity that bid for the Marineland prize. [On Oct. 15, St. Johns Citizen, which had first reported the sale, confirmed that the bidder is Cavileer.]
If the name augurs its future intentions for the 5.1-acre property, the site’s days as an oceanarium are approaching their end, and the 17 dolphins there, six of them born in Marineland, will have to find new homes.
The acreage “does have a zoning designation that allows for development of tourism-type uses,” Marineland Town Attorney Dennis Bayer said. “It’ll be a discussion Thursday night.” The town commission is holding its regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Oct. 16.
The company bid for Marineland Dolphin Adventure at an auction in Delaware federal bankruptcy court. The court will conduct a sale hearing to approve the bid on Oct. 27 at 2 p.m.
Delightful Development outbid St. Augustine-based Hutson Companies, which had been the “stalking horse” bidder–meaning the publicized bidder whose $3.5 million bid had to be bested. Delightful Development bid more than double Hutson’s amount. (See: “Hutson Companies, Major Housing Developer, Bids $3.5 Million for Bankrupt Marineland Dolphin Adventure.”)
Companies that showed interest or were said to be interested in the property included Ft. Lauderdale-based Providence Island Venture, whose representative, Hugh Darley, had told the Marineland Town Commission last month that his company would be the stalking horse, and Bass Pro Shop. (That company and its affiliates bought some 5,200 acres around Welaka in Putnam County in 2022, when Jessica Finch was on the Welaka Town Council. Finch is now on the Marineland Town Commission.)
Jack Kassewitz, president of a non-profit, Global Hart, that focuses on human communications with dolphins, said he’d teamed up with former Marineland Dolphin Adventures general manager Felicia Cook and secured financing of $4 million (plus operational funds of $1.5 million) to bid on the attraction as the only party that would have preserved the dolphins there, with a plan to reinvest in the business. But he missed the deadline by three days (a previous backer had withdrawn), and the court locked him out of the process. He is filing a protest.
“What Felicia and I are trying to do is save the heart of this and not build a condominium there,” Kassewitz said. “One of the things the bankruptcy judge did say during one of our hearings, the top priority is the health of these animals, the health and welfare of the dolphins.”
Marineland Dolphin Adventure is among a family of 15 companies operating under the umbrella of Leisure Investment Holdings, itself owned by The Dolphin Company in Mexico. The company in Mexico filed for bankruptcy in February. Leisure Investment Holdings did so on March 31. The Marineland attraction has continued to operate on a scaled-back schedule. It employs 35 people, according to court papers.
“The value of Marineland cannot be measured in dollars alone,” Kassewitz said after learning of the sale this afternoon. “It is the home of 17 dolphins who have established relationships with each other and their human caretakers. “Our team who was shut out from the bidding process, includes the staff who have already dedicated their lives to the care of these dolphins, and experienced dolphin researchers. Although we don’t have the deep pockets of big developers, we do have the plan that best serves the dolphins, the employees and the community.” He is still hopeful that the court will take the offer into account before approving the sale later this month.
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
In places like the embarrassingly shabby Marineland, it’s always the animals who suffer when the plug gets pulled. In this case, they’ll be sold to the highest bidders, like latter-day slaves, which is exactly what they have been for all of their lives. It’s sickening.
PeachesMcGee says
As a native to this area, it saddens me to see the developers take it all away. But if South & Southwest Florida are any indication, it was only a matter of time.
The only winners will be the two buffoons in charge of Marineland.
HayRide says
Well, you sure can’t release them to the wild, they’ll never survive!
Bo Peep says
Yeah and Flagler Beach Commissioners just voted 3-2 to sell 43 acres a block from the beach for $800,000. Kind of makes one wonder if they’re benefiting or just stupid doesn’t it.
PC talks says
How can we, as a community, support Kassewitz and Cook, and the plan to preserve the dolphins??? I want to do all I can. It is heartbreaking to see Marineland starting on the path of no return.
Seabiscuit says
Hold your horses! Now this is interesting given the size of the bid. Someone has an idea, and it’ll be interesting to see what that is, AND if that idea comes to life. Given the unfortunate downward trend of how the property has changed hands over the years, I doubt it becomes more than money thrown down a hole. A condominium could be a boring new development, but fun: the town of Marineland could have more than 1-2 residents then. I do feel uneasy for the dolphins though as I feel like this, whatever this is, is it for them.
Pig Farmer says
I hope the dolphins like condos, because odds are high that is what Marineland is going to become.
taxpayer says
A real estate developer, their probably built a hotel or condo on the property.
Suzie says
This is a landmark and I hope that it gets saved. Over the years, certain parts were closed down/revamped, but the heart has still been there. They are educators to the public and schools, as well as an icon.
Marek says
It is going to be so sad to see them go. And even sadder to see some developer marching in.
Keller Jessica says
How disgusting it would be for a condo to be put there. The hammock I’ve known all my life is being destroyed by developers. They are greedy as it gets.
Concerned Citizen says
Coming soon to an area near you.
More CONDOS!!!
That’s premier beach front. You can’t sit here and tell us you aren’t going to grab that up. And throw another HOA gated neighborhood. These little Podunk City Commissions like Marineland and Flagler Beach are deep into Developer’s pockets.
I personally can’t decide whats worse. The wanton over development of our communities. or our elected officials lying out of the side of their mouths. And thinking we are stupid.
We need to do better electing people. And stop letting them just sit and build empires.
J says
They are all greedy developers. They should update Marineland to make it a beautiful spot, we love the DOLPHINS and don’t take them away. Find another spot for more CONDOMINIUMS or better yet Townhouses.
Jane Gentile Youd says
Why didn’t our ‘forefathers’ have the intelligence to deed restrict this precious land to recreational to include existing living mammals at time of sale and mammals from the sea in perpetuity but to allow the owners to charge market price for similar attractions and discount a 30% property tax and 30% discount on patron state tax to entice the park to always be there.
GREED however is the only thought going through the minds of the majority who have the funds or know how to get the funds or what the hell – who just know the right people to go to…
Sickening is how I see it. How do you see it?
Ed P says
Just a speculation. Delightful Development is registered outside of Florida and associated with the Silverton casino group out of Vegas. Same group?
5.1 acres barely enough space to build a casino similar to the Seminole property in Tampa. Now for the hotel and resort….
Mr Jacoby has another 35 acres that is up for sale and together, maybe a new HardRock/Silverton/Seminole Nation ocean front resort? With an intracoastal marina too!
An economic engine for the county on one hand or a disaster on the other?
Would a resort hotel be any worse without a casino and the massive tax revenues from the casino?
Just a guess. The plan will be revealed.
Marlee says
There goes. “The Old Florida”….and it will spread all the way
down A1A.
wow says
Has anyone told the buyers that in 2017 Hurricane Irma washed completely over that part of the barrier island and flooded everything?
Pogo says
@Today
…on this episode of the Edge Of Wetness:
Drag a $100 bill through a trailer camp and there’s no telling what you will find.
— James Carville
Don’t miss the next exciting episode…
Mac says
Look into the Commissioners and follow the money.. how does Jacoby’s nephew become Mayor? What’s in it for all of them..? Money…