Lively Coast downtown project with shopping, speakeasy canceled. What happened?
Plans to build a lively shipping container shopping and entertainment venue in downtown Biloxi are off the table.
In April, developer Ivan Spinner revealed plans for a project that would rejuvenate part of Howard Avenue in the center of town. It would be built on a lot that’s been empty since 2011, when a fire destroyed three businesses.
The architecture would look like New Orleans. Visitors would walk beneath two arched entrances into a courtyard surrounded by shops. A speakeasy bar would be a hidden destination on the second floor and the rooftop would be a place to enjoy views and drinks.
“Austin Square would have been (a) cool project for Downtown Biloxi,” Spinner posted on Facebook, with images of the eclectic props he had purchased for the development. “Need to figure out where these go,” he said.
The city issued a building permit in late June.
Now Spinner said he’s moving from South Mississippi and is stopping development of Austin Square.
Instead he plans to work less and travel more, he said.
Spinner doesn’t have plans to list the Austin site or his other Coast properties for sale at this time, he said.
He spent the last several years with his wife, Kelly, transforming the former Wells Fargo bank building in downtown Biloxi into The Bella Downtown boutique hotel and space for The BrewPaddle Cafe and bakery at 854 Howard Ave.
He brightened Pass Road in Gulfport, building several shopping strip centers. The Spinners also own Coast Exotic Autos, created waterfront restaurants and are building Handsboro Point condos in Gulfport.
This story was originally published July 31, 2025 at 1:44 PM.
