The Covington Historical District Commission has approved renovation plans for downtown Covington's century-old Southern Hotel, moving the much-anticipated project one step closer to fruition. The commission voted unanimously in favor of the plans to refurbish the 105-year-old structure on Boston Street. Because developers are seeking federal and state tax credits, the state must also approve the project before building...
The Covington Historical District Commission has approved renovation plans for downtown Covington's century-old Southern Hotel, moving the much-anticipated project one step closer to fruition. The commission voted unanimously in favor of the plans to refurbish the 105-year-old structure on Boston Street. Because developers are seeking federal and state tax credits, the state must also approve the project before building permits can be issued by the city of Covington, officials said.
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The renovation of the century-old Southern Hotel is part of the revitalization in downtown Covington. "The developers have gone above and beyond the requirements needed to access historic rehabilitation tax credits," said commission member Shiloh Moates. "The Southern Hotel will be an authentic representation of what guests experienced more than a century ago."
Lisa Condrey Ward, along with her family members, bought the 37,778-square-foot mission-style structure last year for $1.75 million with an eye toward restoring it to its original use. Built in 1907, the Southern Hotel remained in business until the 1960s, when the facade was transformed to accommodate a drug store tenant. In 1983, St. Tammany Parish bought the building and for 20 years used it as office space and courtrooms before selling it at auction for $885,500.
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The Southern Hotel in downtown Covington as it looked shortly after it opened about 1907. After Katrina, it was used as a headquarters for the Red Cross and other federal agencies. For the last few years, the building has been mostly unoccupied.
Plans call for the rejuvenated hotel to have about 40 guest rooms, a 2,400-square-foot ballroom, conference rooms, a restaurant and an upscale bar. A landscaped courtyard will be the centerpiece of the development.
New Orleans-based Trapolin-Peer Architects, which specializes in historic preservation, is designing project. The firm has worked on several New Orleans historic projects, including Emeril's Delmonico on St. Charles Avenue, the Audubon Hotel and the City Park Carousel.
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Developers have allocated 2,480 square feet of space for the restaurant, with a side entrance from the corner of New Hampshire and Boston streets.
"We hope to unite with an independent restaurateur, whose talents can be expanded in a bistro-style setting," Lisa Condrey Ward said in a press release on the hotel's website. "The restaurateur will be able to make his or her own mark on both the kitchen and dining areas. The Southern Hotel will be the epitome of southern hospitality and elegance, and we expect the restaurant to be a perfect complement to that experience."
Covington officials have hailed the project as one that will revitalize the downtown area and spur economic development. The hotel is expected to open in the fall of 2013.
