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NATCHEZ, Miss. (AP) — The historic Natchez Eola Hotel building could be one step closer this week to reopening its doors as senior living apartments.
The Natchez Democrat reports (http://bit.ly/1JeUAeC) the owner of the former hotel building — Virginia attorney Robert Lubin — is scheduled to appear before the Natchez Planning Commission Thursday to propose the plans as an "upscale" senior living apartment building.
Lubin, purchased the historic hotel in 2014 a few months before closing the hotel. Local attorney Tony Heidelberg is representing the project developers.
The hotel will be renovated to become 46 luxurious apartments for tenants 55 and older. "It's definitely going to be upscale, and relatively expensive," Heidelberg said.
While the apartments will be modern, the first floor and public areas will be decorated with deference to the historical significance of the hotel, Heidelberg said.
The first floor also includes a recreational game room, an expansive lobby, a fitness center and a restaurant open to the public as well as a private dining hall for residents.
"Some tenants may have special dietary needs, some may be kosher, sodium free, whatever it may be," Heidelberg said. "That's part of the attraction to bring them there — the peace of mind that they have."
The dining hall is meant to supplement the residents' options, and the apartments will also have kitchens and dining areas.
Because the details of the apartments' décor have not been finalized, early applicants may be able to provide input on what they would like to see in the renovations.
Heidelberg said the renovation project is ready to begin construction pending approval by the board.
The project's continued progress is important, Heidelberg said, to prevent incidents of breakins and vandalism, which has happened to the property more than once since the hotel closed.
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Information from: The Natchez Democrat, http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/
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