Barq Building restoration bringing apartments, business and people to downtown Biloxi
Crews are fashioning the future of the Barq Building in downtown Biloxi after decades of renovations were demolished and its history and possibilities revealed.
The mustard-yellow siding from Urban Renewal days was torn off the facade and hauled away. The decorative brick facade is back and the crews and developer now work on the return of loft apartments in the downtown and preparing for more businesses.
“Everybody seems to be excited about it,” said Lee Young, developer of the block-long Barq Building and The District on Howard mixed-use project that is restoring several buildings along Howard Avenue and with it a vibrant downtown.
The first floor is reserved for commercial and Young says he is negotiation with possible tenants — from spas to restaurants — and he hopes to announce signed leases soon.
At the corner he sees a restaurant with a large wrought Iron balcony that will provide outdoor dining on the west side of the building, next to the Saenger Theatre that also is being restored. An event space is planned above that.
In the adjacent building that once was JCPenney, a safe still stands in case the new tenant may want to include it in the theme of their business.
“They get to design their own space,” he said.
Downtown living returns
Young leads a tour through the cavernous second floor, where windows that were covered for years are wide open, bringing in light and views of the nearby Beau Rivage Resort and Casino and the downtown.
Demo took the 1901 building at the corner of Howard Avenue and Reynoir Street back to its beginnings to reveal brick walls, original wood floors and ceilings,the elevator first installed in 1945, wooden beams and other original architectural features.
“Once we got it gutted there were surprises,” he said. Like a fire door that will be remain as part of the original character and a steel beam marked as coming from Mobile Steel Co.
All of these elements will make each of of the one- and two-bedroom apartments unique. The units now are being framed and the plumbing and electrical run.
“We’re keeping all the industrial feel to it,” Young said, while also providing open floor plans, washer and dryers plus storage space.
Plans call for 23 apartments in the Barq Building and 10 more above what was JCPenney, he said.
“There could be as many as 43 total,” he said, with another 10 apartments possibly being added to the mix.
Balconies to downtown
The Yerger Building was completed in 1901 and sold in 1938 to the Barq family, famed for its root beer bottled in Biloxi.
“We do want to give that retro, Old Biloxi feel to it,” Young said of the historic building.
Apartments on the southern side of the building will have balconies overlooking Howard Avenue and the activity that already has picked up since Ground Zero Blues Club opened in the first phase of The District on Howard.
Apartments on the north side of the building also will have balconies, he said. They will look out over the Kress Alley, which runs between the Barq Building and Saenger Theatre. He envisions it becoming a fun place to go like Fishbone Alley in Gulfport.
Every apartment also will come with secure, designated parking, Young said.
The goal is to start pre-leasing the apartments in early November, he said, and have the apartments ready to move in next summer.
Information and rental applications will be available at the O’Keefe Real Estate Group website. JDL is handling the commercial leasing.
This story was originally published October 11, 2022 at 5:50 AM.
