New Club, King Edward to Open Downtown

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Jackson developer David Watkins says his projects, including the King Edward Hotel and the Farish Street Entertainment District, are coming along just fine, despite the economic downturn.

by Ronni Mott
July 13, 2009

Even in the midst of an economic downturn, enterprising entrepreneurs take advantage of opportunities. A new downtown club and the reopening of a venerable Jackson landmark—after decades of abandonment and decay—testify to the entrepreneurial spirit of the capitol city.

Jackson designer Hap Owen tells the Jackson Free Press that Underground 119 will open August 21. The new club is at the site of the former Lefleur's restaurant in the basement of 119 S. President Street. Underground 119 will hold about 100 people and will be open four days a week featuring a rotating schedule of bluegrass, jazz, blues and classical music.

"I think this will be the first venue for any kind of classical music," Owen said, outside of places like Thalia Mara. "I don't think anyone's undertaken that. We think it will bring a whole new clientele."

The schedule may include different types of music each night for a week, alternating with a whole week of just jazz or just bluegrass.

"That's all being worked out now," Owen said.

The club will serve a menu of "high-end tapas," Owen said. Tapas, a Spanish dining tradition, consists of a wide variety of hot and cold appetizers that patrons can combine for a full meal. Seating will focus on lounge-like comfort, enticing customers to stay for the evening.

On a grander scale, Jackson developer David Watkins says the King Edward Hotel will be completed and ready for occupancy Oct. 20, despite the worst real estate development market in decades. The renovated property includes residential units, a 186-room Hilton Garden Inn, a restaurant, ballroom and retail space on the ground floor.

"The King is slightly behind schedule, ONLY because of the delays caused by the National Park Service over the approval of the acoustical design of the windows," Watkins wrote on a Jackson Free Press blog. "It is not a significant issue. We get the building on Oct 20, rather than September 1st."

Watkins assured us that the other projects he and his team are working on are coming along just fine, including the long-awaited Farish Street revitalization.

"Please remember that, instead of rushing around to get some cheap facade put up or to do a 'lipstick on a pig' job, we are working on a 100-year sustainable development for Farish Street, with 1st class tenants, historically correct and sound structures and closely coordinated sub-developments," Watkins wrote. "We want it to be done right, the first time. I'd rather be a few months late and have a successful project, than take some shortcuts and cripple the chances of long-term success.

So, sit back and relax; and don't believe the negative junk out there."

Watkins also said that he's looking for personal stories about "the King," which he's gathering on the aptly named King Edward Story Blog.

"We're trying to capture a bit of the 'living history' of experiences people had when the King was previously open, and even during the period it has been closed, while people are still around to remember them," Watkins wrote. "If you have a story or know somebody who does, we'd appreciate your sharing it."

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