Suntex Marina Investors through a joint venture with Centerbridge Partners, has announced a merger with Windward Marina Group.
The transaction adds 13 marinas and more than 3,000 slips, bringing the Suntex network of marinas to more than 100 nationwide, including 34 locations across Florida.
Windward was founded around seven years’ ago by Stefan Johansson who was a founding principal of Prime Marine Group.
The company has grown over the years from a single marina into a Florida platform encompassing 13 properties.
“Today’s announcement is a meaningful step forward in how we grow – intentionally, collaboratively and with the boater experience guiding every decision,” explained Bryan Redmond, CEO and co-founder of Suntex.
Windward has assembled an exceptional portfolio of marinas across Florida’s most compelling boating destinations.
Bryan Redmond
“Windward has assembled an exceptional portfolio of marinas across Florida’s most compelling boating destinations.
“Together, we are creating a highly connected coastal network with Suntex marinas positioned near major inlets from Miami to Amelia Island. With a nationwide network of more than 100 marinas, Suntex is aligning brand standards and experiences across iconic waterfront destinations to deliver greater value for boaters.”
Matt Dabrowski, senior managing director and co-head of real estate at Centerbridge Partners, added: “This transaction marks another important milestone in executing Suntex’s strategy of expanding in high-growth, coastal markets, particularly in Florida, where demand fundamentals remain favorable and barriers to new supply remain incredibly high.”
The newly added marinas span Amelia Island, Jacksonville Beach, St. Augustine, Port Orange, Micco, Fort Pierce, Port Charlotte, Englewood, Panacea and Pensacola, offering diverse boating experiences across Florida’s Atlantic Coast, Gulf Coast and Panhandle.
New opportunities
“Suntex brings operational depth, brand stewardship and a long-term mindset that aligns perfectly with how we view the future of our marinas,” said Stefan Johansson,
“This merger allows us to preserve what makes each Windward marina special while unlocking new opportunities for innovation and guest experiences that will benefit our boaters.”
As part of the merger, Suntex brand standards will be introduced across the portfolio, including guest services and technology-enabled communication designed to improve access, consistency and enjoyment on the water.
“Our growth strategy has always been about quality, not just scale,” Redmond added. “By expanding our presence through a collaborative merger like this, we’re creating outstanding experiences that matter to boaters and building a resilient marina network positioned for long-term success.”
