The old Hula Hut building on Eldorado Parkway is in line for a $2 million makeover, according to a state construction filing for the restaurant that Simms Hospitality plans to open there.
The project, filed in the state's architectural barriers registry under the name "Simms Harbor House," covers interior demolition, renovation and site work on 14,580 square feet at 210 E. Eldorado Parkway in The Lakefront District. It estimates the work at $2 million, paid by the tenant, and gives an estimated schedule of Sept. 1, 2026, through Jan. 31, 2027.
Its status in the registry reads "Review Complete."
The filing does not name the restaurant or set an opening date. When the Little Elm Economic Development Corporation announced the deal in February, it said Derek and Sheree Simms, who run Simms Harbor House, would open a restaurant concept in the former Hula Hut that had not yet been named, according to the Little Elm Journal.
Officials did not give a name or timeline then either. The Journal reported that the group's other venues include The Monarch Stag, J. Theodore, Rare Books Bar, Eight 11 Place and The Glen Restaurant & Bar.
Other projects in the pipeline
The same state registry shows several smaller projects with Little Elm addresses filed since late August:
- 7-Eleven: a new 4,825-square-foot convenience store at West Eldorado Parkway and Lakewood Village Drive, estimated at $950,000, with construction expected from Dec. 28, 2026, to July 30, 2027.
- Desi Chowrastha: an interior finish-out of 7,640 square feet at 1971 FM 423, Suite 100, for the Indian restaurant chain, estimated at $280,000, with work scheduled from Dec. 1, 2026, to Dec. 1, 2027.
- Blossom Nail Lounge: a $200,000 finish-out of 4,500 square feet at 26556 E. University Drive, Suite 130, in the Bates Towne Crossing Retail B building along U.S. 380, with work estimated from Oct. 20, 2026, to March 1, 2027.
- Verizon Wireless: a $150,000 finish-out of a 3,000-square-foot store at 26564 E. University Drive, Suite 100, estimated to run from Sept. 14 to Nov. 14.
