Our History
Through the vision, persistence and resourcefulness of David A. Siegel and his team, Central Florida Investments, Inc. (CFI) has become the largest privately-owned corporation in the Central Florida area. Founded in 1970 as a real estate development firm, CFI now operates dozens of other businesses in addition to Westgate Resorts including: hotels, restaurant, retail, destination spas, insurance, magazines, real estate, travel services, and internet companies.
From a tiny orange grove and the dream of a man working out of his garage, Westgate Resorts and its parent company, Central Florida Investments (CFI), have grown into the largest privately-owned timeshare company in the world employing over 10,000 around the United States. The company has expanded outward from its original resorts in Central Florida to include resorts in Miami Beach, Florida; Daytona Beach, Florida; Park City, Utah; Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Las Vegas, Nevada; Williamsburg, Virginia; Branson, Missouri; Tunica, Mississippi; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
History in the Making...
- 2013
- Westgate Park City Resort & Spa is awarded "Best Timeshare Resort in North America" and "Best Timeshare Resort Worldwide" by Perspective Magazine.
- 2012
- Westgate Park City Resort & Spa is awarded "Best Timeshare Unit in North America" by Perspective Magazine.
- Westgate Park City Resort & Spa opens two new dining concepts, Drafts Sports Bar & Grill and Edge Steakhouse.
- We Proudly Serve Starbucks® at Westgate Vacation Villas, Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, and Westgate Park City Resort & Spa.
- Westgate Vacation Villas opens Drafts Sports Bar & Grill, Mission Control Game Room and Hershey's Ice Cream Shop.
- 2011
- Westgate Resorts launches company-wide rebranding effort.
- Online reservation requests are implemented for all Westgate Resorts owners.
- Westgate Resorts initiates Westgate University, an online education resource for owners set for launch in 2012.
- 2010
- PH Towers Westgate opens in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- New expansion begins at Westgate Vacation Villas in Kissimmee, Florida, and Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa in Orlando, Florida.
- 2007
- Westgate Branson Woods in Branson, Missouri, continues to expand with another phase of buildings nearing completion.
- Westgate Vacation Villas in Kissimmee, Florida, adds an additional phase of buildings along with a new check-in center and sales pavilion.
- Expansion of Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, continues with new cabins being completed throughout the year. Westgate Resorts also completes construction of Wild Bear Falls Water Park, a 60,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor water park, one of the largest in the South.
- Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa in Orlando, Florida, continues expansion with the construction of three new phases.
- 2006
- Westgate Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort in Myrtle Beach, Florida, begins construction on a 203-unit tower.
- Westgate Resorts begins expansion of Westgate Park City Resort & Spa by adding a 192-unit while ownership condominium, The Lodge at Westgate Park City Resort & Spa.
- Westgate Branson Woods in Branson, Missouri, completes construction on a new 30-unit mid-rise building.
- Westgate Resorts continues construction of several new buildings at the company's flagship resort, Westgate Vacation Villas, and Town Center in Kissimmee, Florida.
- Westgate Resorts breaks ground on the PH Towers Westgate in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- 2005
- Westgate Resorts announces a partnership with Planet Hollywood to build a new resort and casino in Las Vegas. The new development is the first and only vacation ownership building directly connected to a major hotel/casino on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip.
- CFI publishes its first issues of I Love Vacations and I Love Las Vegas magazines.
- 2003
- Westgate Palace opens in Orlando, Florida.
- Westgate Historic Williamsburg opens in Williamsburg, Virginia.
- The Showcase Sales Center opens on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- 2002
- Westgate River Ranch, an authentic dude ranch, opens near Lake Wales, Florida.
- Westgate Blue Tree Resort opens in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
- Westgate Resort purchases Coral Sands in Miami Beach and rebrands it Westgate South Beach.
- Westgate Resorts purchases Grenelefe Golf & Tennis Resort in Central Florida.
- Westgate announces plans for Westgate Historic Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia.
- Construction begins on the twin Westgate Palace towers located just off world-famous International Drive in Orlando, Florida.
- 2001
- Westgate Flamingo Bay opens in Las Vegas, Nevada. Westgate now includes eight resorts, with ownership at 180,000 and growing.
- The Westgate Resorts Foundation is formed to serve the needs of the community in which Westgate does business and support company employees in need.
- Westgate Resorts purchases the 1,600-acre River Ranch near Lake Wales, Florida.
- CFI publishes its first issue of I Love The Smokies magazine.
- 2000
- Construction begins on Westgate Park City Resort & Spa at The Canyons in Park City, Utah, with plans to open for the 2002 Winter Olympics.
- 1999
- Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa opens in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, on 70 acres adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- A 3,000-unit tower expansion project of Westgate Vacation Villas begins.
- Westgate Town Center opens just minutes from the main entrance to Walt Disney World® Resort.
- 1998
- Westgate Resorts opens a state-of-the-art, 210,000-square-foot call center in Ocoee, Florida.
- 1997
- Harbour Beach Resort opens within walking distance of the world-famous Daytona Beach pier.
- Westgate Towers opens just minutes from the main entrance to Walt Disney World® Resort.
- Westgate Resorts/CFI becomes one of the region's largest employers and one of the largest privately owned corporations in Central Florida with more than $300 million in sales.
- CFI publishes its first issue of I Love Orlando magazine.
- 1996
- Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa opens in Orlando, Florida, and quickly becomes the second largest timeshare resort in the world.
- David Siegel is recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year for the State of Florida.
- 1995
- Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort opens featuring 500 feet of sandy beach and the only fishing pier on Miami Beach.
- 1991
- Vacation Industry Review magazine calls Westgate Resorts an "Orlando success story."
- 1986
- Florida Magazine publishes an article predicting Westgate Resorts will one day be the world's largest timeshare resort.
- 1982
- The Westgate family of resorts is born when Westgate Vacation Villas starts sales one mile from Walt Disney World® Resort with 16 villas.
- 1976
- Central Florida Investments (CFI) opens the Mystery Fun House on Major Boulevard in Orlando, Florida.
- 1970
- David A. Siegel starts a real estate development firm with an office located in his family garage.