The Southern Hotel first opened its doors on June 1st, 1907. It offered all amenities of luxury for its time; ballrooms, galleries, a tennis court, a formal garden and an artesian fountain. There were even caged exotic animals in the lobby. It was also the second home to the Covington Courthouse. Recent years have seen the building lay dormant, but the old Southern is beginning to stir with new life. Lisa Condrey and Joe Ward of Condrey and Ward have bought the nearly 38,000-square-foot time capsule and have plans for complete renovations. The task will not be an easy one, the building is 105 years old and has been empty for many years. Condrey and Ward expect to spend millions on the project. “It’ll be worth it for us, it’ll be worth it for the city,” Lisa said. The reanimation of the old Southern Hotel is sure to benefit the downtown economy and preserve the history of Downtown Covington.
