The Blockade Runner Beach Resort in Wrightsville Beach is set to undergo renovations and rebrand as Trailborn Surf & Sound in the coming months.

Renovations began earlier this month on the 151-room hotel, which has operated at 275 Waynick Blvd. in Wrightsville Beach since 1964. When renovations wrap up in early 2025, the hotel will be rebranded as Trailborn Surf & Sound, according to a news release issued Tuesday.

The hotel was acquired in late 2022 by Castle Peak Holdings from Mary Baggett and her brother Bill Baggett. The hospitality investment and development company also owns the Trailborn brand and several other Trailborn-branded hotels across the U.S.

Trailborn aims to “combine elevated, thoughtful design with local experiences and create a memorable stay for outdoors enthusiasts,” according to the release. The brand launched late last year with two properties near Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, followed by a hotel in Highlands, North Carolina. 

The Wrightsville Beach property will undergo “comprehensive upgrades” in partnership with New York-based design firm Post Company. The hotel will remain open to guests during the renovations.

“The property’s design will seamlessly blend contemporary style with nods to the iconic location, featuring natural beachside materials and highlighting water views,” the release stated.

Guest rooms will see new furniture and finishes, including Trailborn mattresses, Smart TVs and walk-in showers. (A rendering of a renovated guest room is shown below.) The hotel’s lobby will get a curated retail market and a new restaurant with a bar while the pool bar will see upgrades. The resort’s indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces, including its 2,800-square-foot ballroom, will also be upgraded, according to the release.

Even with the planned changes, the hotel’s owners aim to “retain the distinctive charm that has defined it for six decades,” the release stated.

Lawrence Lewis Jr. opened Blockade Runner on the former site of Ocean Terrace Hotel in 1964. Joseph Baggett purchased the beachfront resort in 1971, and it remained in his family until the 2022 sale to Castle Peak Holdings.

The resort’s longtime general manager, Nicolas Montoya, stated in the release that his team is “incredibly excited” to join the Trailborn brand and “embark on a joint mission to enhance every aspect of the guest experience and unveil Trailborn Surf & Sound to those who know and love us and to new visitors.”

“Coupled with the property’s commitment to providing superb guest service,” he wrote, “these updates will elevate our guests’ stays, ensuring the hotel remains a local fixture for many years to come.”

The renovations, which will take place in phases, are expected to be complete in early 2025.

The changes will "breathe new life into the Blockade Runner, honoring everything people love about the property while infusing it with a fresh design extending from the rooms to onsite food and beverage,” stated Mike Weiss, co-founder and co-CEO of Trailborn, in the release. 

“Our goal is to retain the beloved charm that has made it a cornerstone of the Wrightsville Beach community and ensure that its unparalleled service, history and unique character continue to create more unforgettable memories for returning and new guests alike.”