Josette’s building transformed into Biloxi lofts with a new name. Take a look inside.
What was once a dairy facility and a costume shop at 902 Howard Ave. in Biloxi soon will be Howard Square, bringing nearly two dozen apartments to downtown Biloxi.
Jourdan Nicaud said the first tenants should be moving in mid-March.
As a bonus, Fill-up with Billups restaurant — known for its early morning and late night breakfasts — will move from U.S. 90 to a new, larger building under construction at Howard Square. That work will take a little longer to complete than the apartments, Nicaud said.
The 21 apartments, two of them ADA compliant, combine the quirky and historic elements of the sprawling building with modern finishes. Every one is different and fill the buildings that were Borden Dairy and Josette’s costume shop that was filled with vampire and princess attire.
“It was an opportunity to use the cool design of the building,” Nicaud said. During the restoration they found lots of unexpected elements, he said, like concrete 2 1/2-feet thick between the first and second floors. It provides sturdy construction and soundproofing.
The units have soaring ceilings and exposed duct work to give the look and feel of a loft. Crews are installing white wood cupboards, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and luxury vinyl plank floors that are highly-desired finishes for many renters.
Apartment specs
Rent starts at $1,400 for a one-bedroom apartment and the complex also has two-bedroom units with one or two baths.
Real estate web sites have details and floor plans for those who want more information.
Tenants at Howard Square will have dedicated parking and all units have balcony access, Nicaud said. They also have side-by-side washers and dryers.
The premium apartments at the front of the building look out onto MGM Park, where the Biloxi Shuckers Minor League Baseball team plays. Others face the interior of the square or run along Caillavet Street.
Residents will be able to walk to the Beau Rivage and Hard Rock casinos, to restaurants and the new Ground Zero Blues Club, to shops, galleries, the Mardi Gras Museum and other attractions.
Downtown living returns
Residents told the Sun Herald that in place of the professional offices on Howard Avenue, they would be attracted to downtown by outdoor dining, boutiques, bars, music venues and street festivals, and they would like to see a mix of commercial and apartments.
Most of Biloxi’s downtown living was demolished during Urban Renewal in the 1960s. Now it is returning as part of the rejuvenation of the downtown that includes the restoration of the Saenger Theatre and the build-out of The District on Howard, including mixed use developments that will transform this historic downtown buildings into restaurants, shops and apartments.
Howard Square is just one of many projects Nicaud’s company is developing. He and his brother, Field Nicaud, are restoring the former Magnolia Hotel in downtown Biloxi into a second Field’s Steak and Oyster Bar.
His company is turning a former Gulfport shopping center into Mississippi Antique Galleria on Pass Road in Gulfport.
And he is turning a former ice house into a $14.6 million mixed use project in downtown Pascagoula.
This story was originally published February 23, 2022 at 5:50 AM.
