DEMOLITION MAKES WAY FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT

Oct 7, 2025 | News

By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times

DeCarlo Demolition handled the demolition of The Port and Lakeside Inn, plus the removal of all debris from the site. This photo shows debris from The Port basement being loaded into a truck.

The process to replace The Port and the Lakeside Inn overlooking Lake Panorama’s main basin is proceeding at a steady pace. Rob Manning took possession of Lot 7000 on Sept 2. 

Manning’s proposal to demolish the existing structures to make room for a 16-unit, five-floor condo and restaurant building was approved by the Lake Panorama Association board of directors Aug. 5.

Prior to demolition, volunteers worked with several charitable organizations to salvage furniture and other household items from the restaurant and hotel. (See sidebar story on page 22.) 

“I saved everything out of the kitchen to use in the new place,” Manning says. “All the equipment, pots and pans and other kitchen items were removed and will be refurbished as needed to use in our new location.”  

A fence was installed around the site in September with demolition starting Sept. 22. Cleanup of the site continued for another week after demolition was complete.

Two backhoes are operating here. The one on the left is removing rocks and asphalt from the old parking lot. The one on the right is pulling down portions of the Lakeside Inn and loading the debris into a truck.

“We’re right on schedule,” Manning says. “Dirt work is the next step to prepping the site for construction. Plans are to start the concrete work Oct. 15. I want to thank John Rutledge, Lane Rumelhart and the LPA board for working with me on such a tight timeframe.”

The building will be five stories with three of those visible from the east. All five will be visible from the west.

Level one will have a 4,500-square-feet restaurant with a large outdoor patio space and ski storage for condo owners. The new restaurant will be named The Port.

“There will be a large sand beach and turf area for yard games near the water,” Manning says. “Two tiki hut structures there will provide quick and easy service for drinks and grab-and-go food.”

Manning expects to have this food and beverage service available to boaters in the summer of 2026. Plans are to have The Port restaurant open in April 2027.

Besides removing the buildings on Lot 7000, all traces of the original parking lot and walkways were dug out to make way for new construction.

There will be four condos on each floor of the four upper floors. The condos will range from 1,800 square feet to 2,600 square feet each. There will be elevators for guests to reach the restaurant, plus cart paths and parking. The building will feature a roof-top patio, private pool, gym and detached garage for condo owners.

“I’ve had lots of good interest in the condos,” Manning says. “Several are already spoken for, but there still are a few available. We expect to have the condos ready for occupancy by March 1, 2027. n