Markham Hotel in Gulfport is transformed and nearly ready for hotel, dinner guests
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- Markham Hotel reopens soon after restoration, ready for guests.
- 115 rooms bookable now with ADA and hearing access, pool and fitness.
- Venues include Library Restaurant, Velvet Bean, Upstairs Bar and Crystal Ballroom.
One hundred years after it was built, the Markham Hotel in downtown Gulfport is ready for its second grand reveal and this time the look and feel is luxurious, classy and contemporary.
The exterior of the building at 2301 14th St. looks much as it did when the hotel was built and established in 1926. It opened on Jan. 31, 1927.
The community soon will be able to see the transformation, said Tessy Lambert, chief marketing officer for Lodging & Leisure Investments, the owner of the hotel.
Following the ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 23 the hotel and restaurants will open, and the property will welcome the first guests since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
It’s quite a transformation for those who visited more than 20 years ago and a surprise for those who arrive for the first time.
The lobby now shines with classic contemporary style, carried by an elegant cream, black and white color scheme. Sparkling porcelain floors and columns reflect the brilliant chandeliers and the soft mood lighting. A central stairway provides the ideal photo op and balconies surround the lobby, creating an open feel for the upper restaurant and lounge.
When it was designed by architects Marshall and Fox and named for Charles Markham, president of Illinois Central Railroad , the Markham was more of a utilitarian hotel than a destination. Now it is shined up and ready for leisurely stays, coffee shop conversations, fancy dinners, elegant weddings and a drink on the rooftop, under the stars.
Take a look around
For those who want to be among the first to spend the night there, the hotel reservation system is online for the 115 rooms, beginning Friday, April 24. Rates start at $139 Sunday through Thursday and $189 on Friday and Saturday.
Guests can book a variety of king and queen suites and rooms, along with accommodations that are ADA and hearing accessible, said Taylor Stork, who designed the guest rooms. A swimming pool with seating in and around the water is one of the amenities for hotel guests, along with a fitness center.
The same chic design and classic colors that begin in the lobby continue throughout the property, accentuated by historic photographs of the Markham and Gulfport through the last century. “Over 650,” Stork said, with photos of boats, people and places hanging throughout the lobby, restaurants, halls and hotel rooms.
Windows on all sides take in views and activity along city streets, the beach, the port and harbor. The sails at Mississippi Aquarium show how close that attraction is to the Markham. The new Amtrak platform at the historic station is a walkable three blocks away and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport is a short drive from downtown.
Dining, dancing and new experiences
Locals will experience the ambiance of the new Markham with a coffee, a drink, a meal or a banquet, Lambert said.
The restaurants and party spaces include:
- The Library Restaurant and Bar. The distinctive architecture of the public spaces at Markham Hotel provides wrap-around, second and third levels, where the Library Restaurant overlooks the lobby and the sleek bar is a few steps above. The seafood and steakhouse features an upscale menu, specializing in Southern flavors.
- The Velvet Bean coffee shop is on the sidewalk level at 14th St. where those dining or sipping a coffee can be part of the downtown energy.
- The Upstairs Bar on the 9th level rooftop has the views of the original one at the Markham and is designed to be modern and fun.
- The Crystal Ballroom has the same name and footprint as the original. It’s elegant, with a row of chandeliers and upscale finishes to make an impressive place for business and family events, weddings and Carnival celebrations. “We already have some interest with Mardi Gras,” Stork said.
These spaces will be available to host large and small celebrations, Lambert said, as Markham Hotel again becomes a welcoming part of downtown Gulfport.
This story was originally published April 19, 2026 at 7:00 AM.
