The previous owner of the former Hotel Vicksburg has taken back ownership of the apartment building and is overseeing the first major renovation the tallest building in the city has seen in decades.

“It’s amazing what we’ve accomplished since Oct. 1,” said George Mayer who sold the building in 2005 and moved to northern Georgia to be near his three sons and grandchildren. “It’s going to look beautiful when we’re done.”

Mayer, who operated The Vicksburg for 20 years and created Annabelle Bed and Breakfast on Speed Street, and his Slidell, La.-based business partner, John Coats, resumed ownership of The Vicksburg, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, after former operator Mike Davis failed to make payments on the five-year lease-purchase agreement, Mayer said

“Mr. Davis had really good intentions, but a totally different concept for the building,” he said. “His concept was to eventually turn the building back into a hotel or a gigantic bed and breakfast.”

Davis had begun dividing two-bedroom apartments into suites, Mayer said, but had neglected repair in existing apartments between tenants.

“He was just under capitalized, and it finally caught up with him,” Mayer said of Davis’ plan. “They’re still fine apartments, and structurally we’re leaving the building as it is.” 

Of the 58 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments in the former 200-room hotel, about 25 are occupied. A crew from Slidell has been brought to Vicksburg to begin renovations on 20 of about 30 apartments that Mayer said are in no shape to be rented. Mayer and Coats have been making alternating trips to Vicksburg over the past six weeks to oversee the progress, but Mayer is quick to note they still hope to ultimately sell the complex.

“Right now we’re focusing on doing the 20 apartments and trying to get them filled up to get some revenue coming in, and then we’ll look at doing more,” Mayer said. “In the meantime, we’re hoping to get an offer. John and I are both retired — he’s still in Slidell and I’m in northern Georgia — and it would be a good buy for the right person.”

The Vicksburg was built at 801 Clay St. in 1928 on the site of the First Presbyterian Church, which had been destroyed by fire 20 years earlier. Boasting luxuries of the day such as ceiling fans, iced water, a telegraph office and taxi call stand, the hotel opened on July 4, 1929. It was and remains the tallest building in Vicksburg. The hotel operated until 1975, and reopened in 1979 as an apartment complex.

Mayer recalled the apartment complex having just one tenant when he and Coats traveled to Vicksburg from Slidell to bid on it at a bank auction on the courthouse steps in 1979. Immediately after purchasing the building, Mayer said, they invested about $600,000 to re-wire and update the complex, the last significant renovation on the building.

Mayer moved to Vicksburg in 1985, becoming active on local tourism boards and a well-known member of the Vicksburg Theatre Guild. Coincidentally, The Westside Players — an offshoot of the VTG — began performing “Gold in the Hills” in the Coral Room at The Vicksburg one year ago this month. Mayer said the Coral Room needs “only a little TLC” and will continue to host plays and other events throughout the renovation. Likewise, the Vicksburg Room, a two-story ballroom with mezzanine and bar, will remain available for private functions.

In 2007, The Vicksburg was on the verge of being condemned after city inspectors found the 11th floor to be “unfit for human habitation” due to a leaky roof. Davis contended the damage was caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and eventually made enough repairs to satisfy city officials. However, roof damage on at least the second floor, in the Coral Room and Vicksburg Room, are being repaired as part of current renovations. The marquee on the front exterior of the building also will be spruced up, Mayer said.

Harry Sharp, chairman of the Vicksburg Main Street Program — which promotes downtown events, businesses and residency — said Mayer’s return to Vicksburg, even on a temporary basis, will be an asset to ongoing downtown development. 

“I’m sorry that George has had to take (the building) back, but we’re all delighted by it. Everybody downtown will benefit by the redevelopment of The Vicksburg,” Sharp said. “It’s surprising that with this economy the way it is the little bit of vibrance seems to be downtown, which is really gratifying.”

In addition to the renovations at The Vicksburg, 20 luxury apartments completed in The Valley building on Washington Street in July have reportedly been occupied, and just down the street nine upscale condominiums were recently completed in the Super 10 building that was the long-time home to Sears.

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Contact Steve Sanoski at ssanoski@vicksburgpost.com