5545 E BLVD Silver Springs FL 34488

Historic 3,114 SF restaurant prominently located on the signalized corner of State Road 40 and County Road 35 in the Ocala, FL MSA, ranked by the U.S. Census Bureau as the fastest-growing metro in the United States (2024). The property is situated approximately 650 feet from the entrance to Silver Springs State Park, benefiting from strong visibility and year-round visitor traffic. The site encompasses 0.55 acres with approximately 500 feet of total road frontage. Originally developed in the 1940s as a Howard Johnson’s Restaurant—then part of the largest restaurant chain in the United States—the current structure was constructed in 1965 as a modernized Howard Johnson’s to complement the adjacent Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge, which is also available for purchase, presenting a rare opportunity to reunite the historic complex for the first time in more than 30 years. The restaurant was remodeled in 2019 and features a commercial kitchen with natural gas cooking, including a pizza oven and fryer, a walk-in cooler, and dedicated storage areas. The dining room accommodates a sizable amount of patrons, and the property previously held a 2COP retail beverage license, permitting the sale of beer and wine by the glass for on-premise consumption. The property lies within Catalyst Site #4 of the Silver Springs CRA Master Plan, which identifies the area for reinvestment and redevelopment. The plan contemplates potential re-routing of State Road 40, which could enhance site frontage and access, and encourages neighborhood-scale mixed-use development, including retail and duplex or triplex residential development of up to 47 dwelling units, subject to applicable approvals. In addition, Marion County’s Special Use Permit (SUP) process allows alternative uses to be explored beyond the existing restaurant configuration. Market fundamentals further support long-term demand. The Ocala MSA ranks #36 out of 200 large U.S. metros in the 2024 Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities Index, supported by a 2023 GDP of approximately $16 billion (Milken Institute / Bureau of Economic Analysis). The University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) projects Marion County population growth of up to 30% by 2040. This offering represents a rare opportunity to acquire a historically significant restaurant asset with exceptional corner visibility, location within a CRA-designated redevelopment area, and multiple paths to value creation in one of Florida’s most dynamic growth markets.

• Historic 3,114 SF Restaurant Asset prominently located on the lighted corner of State Road 40 and County Road 35 in the Ocala, FL MSA, ranked by the U.S. Census Bureau as the fastest-growing metro in the United States (2024).
• Premier Tourism-Adjoining Location situated approximately 650 feet from the entrance to Silver Springs State Park, benefiting from strong year-round visitor traffic and visibility.
• 0.55-Acre Corner Site with approximately 500 feet of total road frontage, offering excellent exposure and access.
• Historic Howard Johnson’s Lineage, originally developed in the 1940s, with the current structure constructed in 1965 as a modernized Howard Johnson’s Restaurant.
• Assemblage Opportunity with the adjacent Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge also available for purchase, allowing potential reunification of the historic complex for the first time in over 30 years.
• Renovated Interior (2019) featuring a commercial kitchen with natural gas cooking, including a pizza oven and fryer, walk-in cooler, and dedicated storage areas.
• Operationally Ready Layout with significant patron dining capacity.
• Prior 2COP Retail Beverage License, permitting the sale of beer and wine by the glass for on-premise consumption (subject to reissuance).
• Located within Catalyst Site #4 of the Silver Springs CRA Master Plan, identified for reinvestment and redevelopment.
• Future Infrastructure Upside as the CRA plan contemplates potential re-routing of State Road 40, which could enhance site frontage and access (subject to approvals).
• Mixed-Use Development Flexibility with CRA guidance supporting retail and duplex or triplex residential development of up to 47 dwelling units, subject to approvals.
• Alternative Use Potential through Marion County’s Special Use Permit (SUP) process, allowing exploration beyond the existing restaurant use.
• Strong Market Fundamentals with the Ocala MSA ranked #36 of 200 large U.S. metros (2024 Milken Institute), supported by ~$16B GDP (2023) and projected 30% population growth by 2040 (UF BEBR).
• Rare Value-Add Opportunity offering exceptional corner visibility, historic character, public-sector redevelopment opportunity, and multiple paths to value creation in a high-growth Florida market.