In the 1940s, Bernard Bickel’s Lake Susan Lodge and Cottages became a favorite among fishermen and vacationers. In the 1970s – ’80s, the Lodge extended its venue to include seafood dining, and entertainment, making it a weekend hotspot in south Lake County. People from all over the area would come by car or boat to drink, eat and dance the night away. In the parking lot, you could hear the band playing, people laughing, and boats pulling in and out of the marina.
All things come to an end. The Lodge began showing signs of age and was bought and sold multiple times. In July 2016, a fire destroyed between 30 and 40 percent of the building and since then, the Lodge, located across from the Osprey Pointe subdivision on Lake Shore Drive, has remained abandoned. Until NOW!
The abandoned Clermont site has just been sold for $1.2 million and there are plans to build a 10,000-square-foot Tuscan-designed mansion with an event venue and public-use spaces. Plans include an onsite day spa, cafe and private function space for parties such as weddings and corporate events with a small number of overnight accommodation available.
