‘Posh’ South MS hideaway is a treehouse amid the restaurants, shops and fun
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Grand opening weekend timed with St. Patrick’s, after a late-year soft opening.
- Three townhouses, two condos plus event space; units sleep 7–10 people.
- Owners offer luxury units: set rates, discounts and a Jackson Pearl partnership.
It’s grand opening weekend at The Pullman House in downtown Ocean Springs, planned around the city’s big St. Patrick’s festivities, as this new place officially becomes part of the community that surrounds it.
The setting at 900 Robinson St. is part neighborhood, part business — directly across from the charming Marshall Park and gazebo. A half-block from downtown boutiques, galleries, restaurants and candy shops. Tucked in the branches of a pair of majestic live oak trees. Within strolling distance of the beach.
The Pullman quietly opened late last year and already has 100 five-star reviews. One of their favorites: “What a great renovation of an old building.”
It’s brand new, designed by New Orleans architect and co-owner Jonathan Cothern, inspired by the 1907 L&N train depot a block away and the utilitarian hotels that once housed those arriving by train.
There’s nothing “utilitarian” about The Pullman House, which instead is moody and posh, but there is a mystery. People see the reviews and call to ask if they can book a room for a night.
“You’ve got to tell people what you are,” advised Cothern’s mother, Betty Doster, who helps oversee the operation.
The Pullman House is designed to host family reunions, long weekend getaways and small groups who just want more room. “There are three townhouses, two apartments or condos, and then a special event space,” Cothern said. The units can be booked and function independently or rented together for larger events.
Get an inside look
The chamber of commerce ribbon-cutting at 4 p.m. Friday, March 13, kicks off the grand opening weekend that gives the public a chance to experience for themselves what The Pullman House is all about.
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade rolls just down the block at 1 p.m. Saturday, and people are welcome to stop during the day at The Pullman House for wine and to navigate the labyrinth of four styles of units that will be open. Each is different, with soaring ceilings, nooks and crannies for quiet conversation, open spaces for gatherings and room to sleep 7 to 10 people in each.
Some of the units have kitchens and one or more balconies. All have separate entrances with self check-in, washers and dryers and free parking.
New Orleans singer Anais St. John, who plays at the French Quarter Fest and other musical events and is known for singing jazz, opera and musical theater, will entertain Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. On Saturday night, someone who takes the tour and signs up for the newsletter will win a $2,500 week-long winter stay in one of the three-story 10-person townhouses with heated pool.
From roots to treetops
Cothern and business partner Kent Ozborn own three historic homes they rent in New Orleans and decided they wanted to do something similar in Ocean Springs.
When they got in bidding wars for homes, they decided to build instead. They started by hiring a local company to scan the roots of the two ancient live oak trees at the front of the property to show where to best build their luxury townhomes and protect the trees.
Cothern raised the foundation on pilings to enhance its historic look in the neighborhood. Ozborn is an interior designer in New Orleans and took charge of most of the decorating of The Pullman House. “Step outside your box,” Cothern requested, ”but no shell mirrors.” The interior’s rich colors and fine finishes give a luxury feel without typical beachy decor.
The “Treehouse” condo is filled with windows on every wall and treetop views. The old oak trees are the centerpiece of the property and Daniel Burton made the most of the compact space around The Pullman House to blend into the neighborhood and stand out with native plantings and amenities for the guests to enjoy.
“Tight space wasn’t really very uncomfortable for me, because in New Orleans, all the lots are shotgun lots,” he said. They managed to fit both a swimming pool and adjacent parking on the site, along with an innovative stormwater management system.
“This turned out great,” he said, looking around the outdoor space. “It’s a cocktail pool, but we kind of broke the pool up into three rooms.” There are two sun decks, built in loungers at either side of the pool, cabanas, and a stack of firewood ready for a fire pit at night.
Water and Woods, a local division of C. Roberds Construction, built The Pullman House as one of their first projects.
Stay in the Railroad District
The theme of The Pullman House fits its location in Ocean Springs’ historic Railroad District and honors the Pullman car, where travelers slept on the trains.
“I don’t remember when we started talking about the Pullman car, but as an architect, I kind of like the idea,” Cothern said. While the outside looks domestic, everything on the inside is posh, posh,” he said.
The prices of a luxury unit that sleeps up to 10 people are $250 to $450 on weekend nights and $75 to $150 weeknights.
“If you can find a vacant night, you can rent it for one night,” he said, but the cleaning fee remains the same.
For locals, The Pullman provides overflow space when company comes to town and room where the whole family can stay for a reunion or birthday party.
The Pullman partners with the nearby Jackson Pearl, and those who attend an event at the Pearl can get a 20% discount code for a stay at The Pullman. Last-minute discounts are available, along with 10% off weekly stays and 20% off monthly stays.
